By Rich Winter

605 Sports

TULARE — In 2023, the volleyball season came to a screeching halt for Katelyn Schroeder and the Hitchcock-Tulare Patriots. 

Favored in its SoDak 16 match against Faulkton Area, Hitchcock-Tulare was swept in three sets. Schroeder said the emotions of that loss didn’t set in right away. A week later as the Class B state tournament was televised the agony of that loss became very real. 

“We were all on a pretty good high going into that match so to lose in three sets was pretty heartbreaking,” Schroeder said. “I don’t think it hit until later when state volleyball was playing in the classroom and I could barely watch the television screen because it hurt too much.” 

Schroeder got a taste of the state tournament during her eighth-grade season when she played on the last Patriot team that qualified. She says she doesn’t remember much about that experience except being timid and playing on a big stage in front of a lot of people. 

There has been nothing tentative from Schroeder or her team, which is currently 25-2 and ranked No. 4 in the most recent Class B poll. 

“We’ve got four seniors and quite a few upperclassmen and we all have great relationships with each other and have some great experience,” Schroeder said. “We utilize every single player so it never feels like an individual thing. Our strength is hitting and we have a very tall line of girls and we can trust every single girl to get a kill or make a play.” 

Hitchcock-Tulare is off to a 25-2 start this year. The Patriots were ranked No. 4 in the latest Class B poll. - (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

Longtime Hitchcock-Tulare coach Jordan Opp called the 2024 team a well-rounded squad that can do a little bit of everything. Against Castlewood on Tuesday, Opp pointed out senior outside hitter Ella Johnson who had been dreadfully sick for three days leading up to that match. 

“She showed up with vicks vapor rub, cough drops and tissues and found a way to play well for us,” Opp said. 

Junior middle-hitters Rebecca Huizenga (5-feet-10) and senior Isabel Gilbert (5-feet-11) are both three year starters and Opp said both are improving as the season progresses. Sophomore Lila Johnson is the starting center that is left-handed. Johnson becomes a hitter when she’s in the front row with junior Gracyn Bixler coming in the game to set. 

Junior Cora Hofer, a 6-footer that transferred from James Valley Christian, gives the Patriots another blocking weapon and a right-side hitter. Junior libero Cambree Hoekman has gone over 1,000 career digs. Sophomore Emmarie Arthurs and junior Avarie Estey are both defensive specialists that Opp called critical to the success of the 2024 team. 

There is tremendous talent around Schroeder, a 6-foot outside hitter, but Opp said there are so many intangibles that make the senior captain special. 

“She’s just a calming presence when she’s on the floor,” Opp said. “I’m afraid if she’s ever sick or injured we are going to have to find someone to step into that role because everyone looks up to her.”