Fall Sports Yearbook 2011

August 31, 201

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2011

FALLSPORTSYEARBOOK

Lineup card

Starting five 10

Chrissy Monson looks to add a second state championship to resume

13

Lake Mills volleyball eyes eighth straight North Iowa title

24

Senior-led Panthers football team is set to push Gopher powers

27

Longtime USC volleyball coach steps back into head coach position

28

Without star QB, Vikings look to use last season’s momentum for fast start

2 / Tigers move forward

First-year head coach Max Jeffrey takes over after 14 seasons as team’s assistant.

4

SOLO SENIOR

Albert Lea girls’ soccer looks to compete with one senior

8

HOMEBODIES

Tigers boys’ soccer is staying close to home this season

20

CURTAIN CALL

Wolverines football eyes state berth after section title game cameo

22

DARK HORSE

The Knights are out to prove they belong after winless season

Q&A Lake Mills volleyball coach Jim Boehmer sounds off on the 2011 season Page 14

25 YEARS

ago, the Glenville Trojans football team ended its 70-game losing streak. Page 16

BY GARRETT WAMPLER

1 | Fall Sports Yearbook | 2011-12

FALLSPORTSYEARBOOK Editor Andrew Dyrdal Graphics by Stacey Bahr Contributing writer Garrett Wampler To purchase advertising, call (507) 379-3427, or fax (507) 373-0333 To subscribe, call (507) 373-1411

DIRECTOR’S CUT 2 | FALL SPORTS YEARBOOK 2011

First-year head coach reroutes Tigers’ offense After walking the sidelines of Hammer Field as an assistant coach for 16 years, Max Jeffrey is finally in the director’s chair.

The first-year head coach was hired June 2 to succeed Clay Anderson, who after six years of trying to rebuild the Albert Lea football program, accepted a head coaching position at Benton Community High School in Van Horne, Iowa.

One of Jeffrey’s first priorities was rebuilding the Tigers’ playbook and moving to a spread offense. Jeffrey said the change will highlight the team’s speed and athleticism and give fans something that’s exciting to watch.

The Tigers’ new-look offense will center around juniors Ethan Abben and Makael Lunning. Abben was named Big Nine AllConference last season after rushing for 808 yards on 142 carries. He likely will be moved to quarterback this season, and Lunning will slip into the backfield. Lunning broke through last year after rushing for 105 yards on five carries against Rochester Century on Oct. 1. The speedy Lunning could also see time as a slot receiver.

Jeffrey said the Big Nine again is loaded with many good teams, and his goal is for the Tigers to improve each game.

“With a new offensive system being implemented, it will take time, but we are looking forward to the players responding to the change,” Jeffrey said. “We will need to prepare ourselves both physically and mentally for each and every opponent.”

The biggest challenge facing Jeffrey in his first season as head coach will be the Tigers’ lack of depth. The team graduated a large senior class last year including quarterback Kyle Kriewall, the team’s No. 1 receiver Aaron Klatt and Tribune Player of the Year, lineman Caleb Gaudian. The Tigers also lost lineman Alex Nielsen and Marc Kruger and its leading tackler Derek

Thostenson, among others.

Jeffrey said he doesn’t like to call lack of depth a weakness but an opportunity.

“We will lack depth, and a goal for our program is to increase the number of players throughout,” he said. “Football is a numbers game. There are 77 starting positions on a football team (including special teams). We need more players and that’s a goal of ours.”

Jeffrey said the team’s strength is its talented skill position players such as Abben and Lunning.

“We have guys who can run and catch the ball, and put themselves in the open space to make plays,” Jeffrey said.

In addition to its two main ball carriers, the Tigers return senior center Tayler Blake who snapped the ball to the quarterback during each game his junior season.

The team’s biggest returner, literally, is senior lineman, Bryce DeBoer, who Jeffrey called “one of the biggest and strongest to ever put on pads for Albert Lea.” “DeBoer will anchor the defensive line and has tremendous feet for his size,” Jeffrey said. “Teams must account for him, most often with a double team.”

The Tigers also return senior Clayton Bratten, who started each game last season in the defensive backfield and will also play occasionally at wide receiver.

By implementing a spread offense, which involves spreading the field horizontally to open up the running and passing game and having the quarterback in the shotgun position, Jeffrey hopes his players have more fun.

“We must play hard, play fast and have fun,” Jeffrey said. “Practice will be key for our team. We will be uptempo in practice, and thus we will work hard. We will run many plays on offense and defense allowing our players to translate to playing fast on the field.”

The Tigers finished ninth in the 10-team Big Nine Conference last season and notched its lone conference win against Austin in the final regular-season game.

Last season’s Big Nine co-champions Mankato West and Rochester Century will be favorites to win the conference title again this season, along with Rochester Mayo.

The Tigers won’t contend in the conference this season so Jeffrey is stressing one thing.

“We need to have fun,” he said. “By working hard and playing fast we will.” — Andrew Dyrdal

Schedule / Bold denotes home game Sept. 1 at Waseca 7 p.m. / Sept. 9 Owatonna 7 p.m. / Sept. 16 Rochester Century 7 p.m. / Sept. 23 at Rochester John Marshall 7 p.m. / Sept. 30 at Winona 7 p.m. / Oct. 7 Mankato East 7 p.m. / Oct. 14 Faribault 7 p.m. / Oct. 19 at Austin 7 p.m. / Oct. 25 at Section 1AAAA Tournament 7 p.m. / Oct. 29 at Section 1AAAA Tournament 7 p.m. / Nov. 4 at Section 1AAAA Tournament, 7 p.m. / Nov. 10-26 at Class AAAA State Tournament, TBD ## | SMM | Spring 2011

FALL SPORTS YEARBOOK 2011 | 3

Albert Lea girls’ soccer’s

SPEED DEMON

A sophomore fills the void left by two of the program’s greatest goal scorers.

Anna Anderson — a Big Nine All-Conference striker as a freshman last season — will shoulder most of the scoring burden this year after the departure of Ariel Christensen and Taylor Friehl.

Christensen graduated as the Tigers’ all-time scoring leader, and Friehl wasn’t far off, finishing third on that list.

Despite being a sophomore, Anderson is one of the team’s leaders and among the fastest forwards in the Big Nine. She will be joined by the Tigers’ lone senior, Kelly Nelson, along with Larissa Hacker, Katie Williamson and Sarah Savelkoul as the team’s goal scorers.

In his eighth season as head coach, Rick Barnhill will look to get the Tigers back to the state tournament, a goal that’s eluded him over the past two years. The Tigers set school records for wins (15) and goals scored (71) during the 2008 section-championship season but have failed to reach the section title game since.

The Tigers return 18 letterwinners from last season, including nine sophomores and two freshmen. Despite the team’s youth, Barnhill said depth and experience are its strengths, along with technical precision on the ball and insight about the game.

The Tigers will look to Brooke Hanson, an All-Conference Honorable Mention midfielder, to control the game’s tempo, which is key to the team’s success. Barnhill said the Tigers must play at a fast pace and “extract from ourselves all that we can give in our performance.” He also said goalkeeper play, which is a major question mark for the Tigers, is important.

With only three players left from the Tigers’ last state tournament team (Nelson, Hansen and Lindsay Stewart), Albert Lea will need to rebuild after many consecutive winning seasons. Rochester Century and Mayo, Owatonna and Mankato East and West will contend for the Big Nine championship this season, leaving the Tigers battling for a top-half finish in the standings.

Barnhill said he expects the Tigers to play with the intention of winning a section championship. The teams standing in Albert Lea’s way of capturing the 14-team Section 2A title are conference foes East and West, and New Ulm, out of the South Central Conference. New Ulm finished 14-3-2 last season before losing to East in the section semifinals. East went on to lose to St. Peter in the finals. — Andrew Dyrdal

Anna Anderson

Schedule / Bold denotes home match Aug. 26 at Waseca 7 p.m. / Aug. 27 at Bloomington Kennedy 1 p.m. / Aug. 27 at Holy Family Catholic 5 p.m. / Aug. 30 Austin 7 p.m. / Sept. 6 Worthington 7 p.m. / Sept. 8 at Owatonna 7 p.m. / Sept. 15 at Rochester Mayo 7 p.m. / Sept. 17 Albert Lea Invitational 10 a.m. / Sept. 20 Mankato East 7 p.m. / Sept. 22 at Mankato West 5 p.m. / Sept. 27 Faribault 7 p.m. / Sept. 29 at Rochester Century 7 p.m. / Oct. 4 Winona 7 p.m. / Oct. 6 at Rochester John Marshall 7 p.m. / Oct. 11 at Section 2A Tournament 7 p.m. / Oct. 15 at Section 2A Tournament TBD / Oct. 18 at Section 2A Tournament 7 p.m. / Oct. 21 at Section 2A Tournament 7 p.m. / Oct. 26 at State Tournament TBD

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TIGERS TAKE COURT YOUNG BUT DETERMINED In her third season as head coach, Jaime Mauseth looks to bring the Albert Lea volleyball team out of the Big Nine Conference cellar.

The Tigers finished at the bottom in the league last season after finishing 5-23, losing 15 of its last 16 games. This year, Masueth is confident despite having only three seniors on the team.

“We will have a young team,” Mauseth said. “This means there isn’t a lot of experience at the varsity level.”

The Tigers return senior middle hitter Claire Buendorf, who led the team in ace serves last season and was a solid blocker and hitter in the front row. Albert Lea returns one other letter-winning senior in Kelsey Loverink, who plays outside hitter.

One of the Tigers’ top returners, Annie Ladwig, is also one of its youngest. Only a sophomore, Ladwig led the Tigers in serve

receive and digs last season, and is a great all-around volleyball player, according to Mauseth.

“Ladwig is only a sophomore but is a huge leader and great volleyball player,” Mauseth said.

The team’s other returning letterwinners are sophomore hitter Sydney Rehnelt and sophomore setter Bryn Woodside. Albert Lea’s key loss is middle hitter Bethany Sekora, a senior last season who led the Tigers in kills and blocks, and had a lot of varsity experience.

Mauseth described the Tigers volleyball team as “very talented and athletic” and said the girls have great personalities.

“I think we will work together well on and off the court,” Mauseth said. “We have some great leaders on the team. All the athletes are hard working and want to succeed. We are a young team and that will be an obstacle, but

once we get some experience we will be a tough team.”

Mauseth said the Tigers’ keys to success are experience and getting used to playing with each other. She said the team will work on the mental aspect of the game this season in practice and in matches.

In two seasons with the Tigers, Mauseth has a 13-40 career coaching record. During her first season, Albert Lea finished 8-20 and eighth in the Big Nine ahead of Winona and Austin.

The Tigers last winning season was during the 2006-07 school year when the team finished 16-11 and in sixth place in the conference. This year, Mauseth expects Rochester Mayo, Century and last year’s conference champion Owatonna to contend for the Big Nine title, while Farmington and Northfield are early favorites in Section 1AAA. — Andrew Dyrdal

Schedule / Bold denotes home match Aug. 25 Farmington 7:30 p.m. / Aug. 29 at Southland 7:30 p.m. / Aug. 30 NRHEG 7:30 p.m. / Sept. 6 at Waseca 7:30 p.m. / Sept. 8 at Owatonna 7:15 p.m. / Sept. 10 at Hayfield Tournament 8:30 a.m. / Sept. 15 at Rochester Mayo 7:15 p.m. / Sept. 19 at United South Central 7:30 p.m. / Sept. 20 Austin 7:15 p.m. / Sept. 22 Mankato East 7:15 p.m. / Sept. 29 at Mankato West 7:15 p.m. / Oct. 1 at Blue Earth Tournament 9 a.m. / Oct. 6 Faribault 7:15 p.m. / Oct. 11 at Rochester Century 7:15 p.m. / Oct. 13 Winona 7:15 p.m. / Oct. 15 at Centennial Tournament 9 a.m. / Oct. 18 at Rochester John Marshall 7:15 p.m. / Oct. 26 at Section 1AAA Tournament 7:30 p.m. / Oct. 28 at Section 1AAA Tournament, 7:30 p.m. / Nov. 3 at Section 1AAA Tournament 7:30 p.m. / Nov. 5 at Section 1AAA Tournament TBD / Nov. 10-12 at Class AAA State Tournament TBD 6 | FALL SPORTS YEARBOOK 2011

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Albert Lea boys’ soccer players participate in a captains’ practice in mid-August, including sophomore attacker Timothy Furland, far right.

NO PLACE LIKE HOME If the Albert Lea boys’ soccer team can protect its home field this fall, the wins will come in bunches.

The Tigers play six of its first seven games at Hammer Field, including hosting a fourteam tournament, and nine of 13 games overall. Last season, the Tigers finished 2-3-1 at home during the regular season. The team will need to improve on that mark to set itself up for a deep postseason run.

In his seventh season as the Tigers head coach Elia Romano said if the team becomes comfortable at home it will have a very good year.

“I am expecting to field a very exciting, attrack-oriented soccer team,” Romano said.

“I expect us to be competitive this year and win more often than we lose.”

The Tigers finished 8-9-1 last season and lost to eventual Section 1A champion Rochester Lourdes 2-0 in the tournament’s semifinals. Albert Lea graduated Big Nine All-Conference performers Alik Smed and Logan Tufte, and Honorable Mention Cal Pirsig, who led the team in scoring over the past two years. According to Romano, the Tigers return a hard-working group, including four-year goalkeeper Cameron Hove and Honorable Mention attacker Tyler Shaw.

“Our strength will be the character of our players,” Romano said. “We will also have a very solid base of technical skill, which will

enable us to play neatly out of the back and create a lot of scoring opportunities.

“We will be very solid in both attack and defense.”

The Tigers’ only potential weakness, according to Romano, is the time it will take to begin working as a coordinated team.

“I expect a group of players on the varsity roster who have not previously played together,” he said. “So the question remains as to how quickly we can jell.”

The Tigers play many of its more important games in the beginning of the season and will rely on the leadership of it seniors and captains to turn an unfamiliar group of young men into a team. —Andrew Dyrdal

Schedule / Bold denotes home match Aug. 30 at Austin 7 p.m. / Sept. 2 Waseca 7 p.m. / Sept. 8 Owatonna 7 p.m. / Sept. 10 Albert Lea Tournament 10 a.m. / Sept. 13 Plainview-ElginMilville 7 p.m. / Sept. 15 Rochester Mayo 7 p.m. / Sept. 17 Kasson-Mantorville 7 p.m. / Sept. 20 at Mankato East 5 p.m. / Sept. 22 Mankato West 7 p.m. / Sept. 27 at Faribault 5 p.m. / Sept. 29 Rochester Century 7 p.m. / Oct. 4 at Winona 7 p.m. / Oct. 6 Rochester John Marshall 7 p.m. / Oct. 11 at Section 1A Tournament 7 p.m. / Oct. 13 at Section 1A Tournament 7 p.m. / Oct. 15 at Section 1A Tournament TBD / Oct. 18 at Section 1A Tournament 7 p.m. / Oct. 26-Nov. 3 at State Tournament TBD 8 | FALL SPORTS YEARBOOK 2011

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MONSON LEADS TIGERS’ BIG NINE TITLE CHARGE Albert Lea girls’ cross country runner Chrissy Monson has two Big Nine Conference championships. Now she hopes to get her team one.

The Tigers return many of its top runners from last season, including Monson, who disappointingly finished 41st at the state meet last season, as well as Rachel Kenis, Riley Schultz, Haley Harms, Emma Behling and Morgan Haney. This core helped the Tigers finish tied for second in the conference last fall. Now the bar has been raised.

“My expectation is that we continue to improve and push to contend for the Big Nine title,” 10-year head coach Jim Haney said.

Monson missed the first half of last year’s season due to stress fractures in her legs.

After rehabbing and working slowly back into the Tigers’ lineup, Monson returned stronger than ever.

After placing first at the conference meet, Monson ran a career-fast 14 minutes and 47 seconds to win a third consecutive Section 1AA title. Months later, Monson capped her sophomore year of high school by winning a state championship in the 1,600-meter run in the Class AA track and field meet.

According to Haney, the Tigers’ strength is its depth, and most runners of the boys’ and girls’ teams ran on average more than 300 miles during the summer.

Haney said the key to success for his teams is to stay healthy and improve during each meet.

To win a Big Nine title, the Tigers will have to overtake conference favorite Rochester Century. According to Haney, Lakeville South is the girls’ Section 1AA frontrunner.

The Tigers boys’ cross country team finished ninth in the conference last season and also returns many of its top runners continued on Page 14

10 | FALL SPORTS YEARBOOK 2011

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Above, Morgan Field; below, Lindsey Horejsi

MAKING A SPLASH Many people wouldn’t expect a team that finished 1-10 during the 2010 dual meet season to send four swimmers and a diver to the state meet.

Of course, most people haven’t met the Albert Lea girls’ swimming and diving team, either.

“I’m pretty excited about this season,” said Jon Schmitz, head coach of the girls’ team.

“We were 1-10 last year, but that has to do with our numbers.”

In 2011, Schmitz returns for his 24th season on the Tigers pool deck and his 12th with the girls. He said last year they were a young and youthful team that improved over the course of the season.

Although they were a young team, Schmitz said the talent that the newer girls displayed is promising. Albert Lea swimming competes in the Big Nine Conference and in Section 1A for state classifications.

Among the plethora of athletes who will

return to the water this season will be 2010 All-State performer Karli Kriewall and AllConference selection Lindsey Horejsi.

Kriewall finished fifth at the 2010 Minnesota State High School League championships in the one-meter diving event. She entered the finals with a score of 250.30 and secured fifth place with a finals tally of 342.65.

“She’s got big expectations this year,” Schmitz said.

He said Kriewall has been training during the off-season and has attended camps in both Indiana and Minneapolis to improve on her performance.

Horejsi, just a seventh-grader last season,

would have placed seventh in the 100-yard breastroke state final, but she missed out on the cut and settled to win the consolation final in a time of 1 minute and 7.98 seconds.

“She is very talented and has big hopes for this year in eighth grade,” Schmitz said.

Galen Schulz and Morgan Field are both members of the state medley relay that will return to the team this season. Schulz swam the backstroke leg, and Field swam the breastroke on the relay that finished 18th in prelims at the state meet.

Schmitz said the team will train hard this season and prepare most for the Class A Section meet held in Austin at the season’s end. —Garrett Wampler

Schedule / Bold denotes home meet Aug. 30 at Austin 6 p.m. / Sept. 8 Owatonna 6 p.m. / Sept. 13 at St. Peter 6 p.m. / Sept. 15 Rochester Mayo 6 p.m. / Sept. 17 at Lakeville South Invitational 1 p.m. / Sept. 22 at Mankato East 6 p.m. / Sept. 29 Mankato West 6 p.m. / Oct. 4 at Faribault 6 p.m. / Oct. 6 Rochester Century 6 p.m. / Oct. 13 at Winona 6 p.m. / Oct. 28 at Big Nine Conference meet, Minnesota State University, Mankato 5 p.m. / Oct. 29 at Big Nine Conference meet, Minnesota State University, Mankato 1 p.m. / Nov. 9 at Section 1A meet, Austin TBD / Nov. 11 at Section 1A meet, Austin TBD / Nov. 16-18 at Class A State Meet, University of Minnesota TBD 12 | FALL SPORTS YEARBOOK 2011

TOP DOG

lake mills volleyball continues dominance The 2009-10 Lake Mills Bulldogs volleyball season is one that will be remembered for years.

Facing modest expectations, the Bulldogs won 45 matches and lost two — one being in the state finals — and set a school record for wins. The Bulldogs won its seventh consecutive North Iowa Conference title and swept Pella Christian and Mediapolis in the Class 2A State Tournament before falling to powerhouse Western Christian, of Hull, in the championship match.

Now, after graduating five players from last season’s historic team, the Bulldogs must do what they’ve always done so well — reload.

“With seven straight seasons of more than 30 wins, we have demonstrated we can replace our graduating class,” Bulldogs coach Jim Boehmer said. “This is a solid group of players that will be expected to grow and come together as leaders if we want to continue the program’s solid tradition.”

The Bulldogs greatest assets this season are returning seniors Josie Brackey and Morgan Fjelstad. Brackey is one of Iowa’s top hitters, the reigning Tribune Player of the Year and recorded 413 kills last season.

She pairs on the left side with hitter Shelby Kuper to form a force up front. Fjelstad was NIC Player of the Year last season after notching 1,029 set assists — an average of 8.43 per game.

“Morgan will be in her third year as our

Morgan Fjelstad, left, and Josie Brackey

starting setter,” Boehmer said. “This has given us the opportunity to build some great timing offensively with our hitters.”

Anyone who has seen the Bulldogs play knows the team thrives on running a quick and aggressive offense. This is made possible through practice and the players’ familiarity with one another. With so many new faces, how quickly this year’s team comes together is key to success.

“With 36 players, I am hopeful that this will create some competition for spots,” Boehmer said. “My biggest issue will be fitting these puzzle pieces together properly without hurting the flow of the game. We will need to work hard to get quicker and more consistent as a unit.”

In his 20th season as the Bulldogs’ head coach, Boehmer sees a hole in the middle of the court as the team’s greatest weaknesses.

The Bulldogs lost its two All-NIC middle hitters — Amanda Lampman and Lindy Pins — to graduation. Boehmer said four players will battle for playing time at that position this season, including junior Megan Johnson, who is recovering from reconstructive knee surgery.

“All four have the ability to play at a high

continued on Page 15

FALL SPORTS YEARBOOK 2011 | 13

Tigers GIRLS’ TEnnis Schedule / Bold denotes home match Aug. 23 Worthington, Lyle/Pacelli 2 p.m. / Aug. 25 at United South Central 4 p.m. / Aug. 29 at Marshall 2 p.m. / Aug. 30 Austin 4:30 p.m. / Sept. 1 at Owatonna 4:30 p.m. / Sept. 6 at Rochester Mayo 4:30 p.m. / Sept.

8 Mankato East 4:30 p.m. / Sept. 10 at Waseca Tournament 9 a.m. / Sept.

12 at Blue Earth 4:30 p.m. / Sept. 13 at Mankato West 4:30 p.m. / Sept. 15 Faribault 4:30 p.m. / Sept. 20 at Rochester Century 4:30 p.m. / Sept. 22 Winona 4:30 p.m. / Sept 24 at Cannon Falls Tournament 9 a.m. / Sept. 27 at Rochester John Marshall 4:30 p.m. / Oct. 1 at Big Nine Conference meet, Rochester, 9 a.m. / Oct. 4 at Section 1AA Team Tournament 4:30 p.m. / Oct. 6 at at Section 1AA Team Tournament TBD / Oct. 13-18 at Section 1AA Individual Tournament TBD / Oct. 25 at Class AA State Tournament TBD

continued from Page 10

except All-Conference performer Steven Kruen.

The team will be led Blair Bonnerup, who earned AllConference honors last season, along with Luc Malimanek, Brandon Bonnerup, Andy

Christian, Sergio Chavez and Jay Skaar.

Haney said the Tigers boys’ team hopes to finish fifth or better in the Big Nine this season.

According to Haney, Owatonna is the team to beat in the Big Nine and Section 1AA.

Schedule Aug. 30 at Austin 4:30 p.m. / Sept. 2 at St. Olaf College TBD / Sept. 9 at Faribault 4 p.m. / Sept. 15 at Rochester Mayo 4 p.m. / Sept. 19 at Fairmont 4:30 p.m. / Sept. 24 at Winona 10 a.m. / Sept. 29 at Burnsville 3:30 p.m. / Oct. 6 at Owatonna 4 p.m. / Oct. 11 at Austin 4:30 p.m. / Oct. 18 at Big Nine Conference meet, Owatonna, 3:30 p.m. / Oct. 27 at Section 1AA meet, Owatonna, 3:30 p.m. / Nov. 5 at Class AA State Tournament, St. Olaf College TBD

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1-800-765-1426 14 | FALL SPORTS YEARBOOK 2011

Q&A with Jim Boehmer Lake Mills volleyball coach Jim Boehmer is in his 20th season as the Bulldogs head coach.

Q: After coaching so many successful teams, how does last season’s state-runner up team stand out?

A: The easy answer is wins and the tournament run we had. But that was all possible because it was such a competitive bunch of kids. They loved to compete, and that made for some intense practice sessions and games. I have been lucky to be in the finals as a competitor wrestling in high school, as an assistant wrestling coach in Lake Mills and now as a head coach for our volleyball team.

Q: Despite graduating five players, you return arguably your best two.

What makes Josie Brackey and Morgan Fjelstad such a great 1-2 punch?

A: No doubt about it, we lost a ton of talent. The five girls gone off of last year’s team will be tough to replace.

Josie and Morgan play a lot of volleyball together, and they have for years. If you want to be good at something, do it.

They have worked hard to find the timing that a good offense needs to run a quick attack. They push each other very hard at times. They are both very competitive and that has driven them both to succeed on the court.

Q: You’re playing for your eighth consecutive North Iowa Conference title. How do you capture it?

A: As always, the title goes through Osage and Forest City. You have to beat them both to win it. If you drop a

game to them you have to have help. This year will be a better year for the NIC from a balance point of view. We only see each other one time in the regular season, so you have to set your goals at being 7-0 if you want that trophy.

Q: Lake Mills volleyball is known for reloading talent each season. What’s the main ingredient in your toptier program?

A: I preach consistency and youth development. I expect my older players to coach our younger players. I am as worried about our middle school program as I am my varsity. You live in the moment, but you prepare for the future.

These kids love to play volleyball, and they take great pride in what we have accomplished here. Girls in Lake Mills grow up wanting to wear that varsity uniform someday. In our fourththrough sixth-grade program this year, nearly 90 percent of girls in those grades were on a volleyball team.

Q: Your team handled last season’s emotional highs and lows so well. How do you teach that?

A: A good team play is determined by what the audience sees. You never know what is going on behind the curtain. We certainly had our highs and lows behind the curtain but when it came time to play the game, the competitive fire and desire to win was second to none. That is not easy to do but trying to understand each player helps. The coaching staff has stressed that we are team driven and not player driven. One person can never win a volleyball game but a team can.

continued from Page 13

level of consistency and speed may determine who sees the floor,” Boehmer said. “All four have different strengths and weaknesses, and whoever develops the fastest and demonstrates the consistency I am looking for will emerge.”

Boehmer said the NIC will be strong again this season with traditional powers Osage and Forest City also contending for conference titles. The Bulldogs have finished no worst than fourth in the conference since 1990.

The Bulldogs have dominated the NIC during the 2000s, though. During the 2003 NIC Tournament, the Bulldogs began a stretch where it has won 86 of 87 conference matches, including every regular season match. Lake Mills’ only loss during that stretch was to Osage in the 2008 NIC Tournament. —Andrew Dyrdal

A decade of dominance Bulldogs volleyball during 2000s 2000 — 6-1 NIC (2nd), 26-8 overall 2001 — 6-1 NIC (1st), 32-7 overall 2002 — 4-3 NIC (4th), 19-14 overall 2003 — 5-2 NIC (2nd), 25-11 overall 2004 — 7-0 NIC (1st), 34-3 overall

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Schedule / Bold denotes home match

Aug. 25 Riceville 7:30 p.m. / Aug. 30 at Newman Catholic 7:30 p.m. / Sept. 3 at Algona Tournament 9 a.m. / Sept. 6 Belmond-Klemme 7:30 p.m. / Sept. 8 at Osage 7:30 p.m. / Sept.

10 at Central Springs Tournament 9 a.m. / Sept. 13 North Iowa 7:30 p.m. / Sept. 15 at West Hancock 7:30 p.m. / Sept. 17 at Forest City Tournament 9 a.m. / Sept. 20 Garner-Hayfield 7:30 p.m. / Sept. 24 at Bishop Garrigan Tournament 9 a.m. / Sept. 27 Forest City 7:30 p.m. / Oct. 1 at North Iowa Conference Pool Play 9:30 a.m. / Oct. 3 at North Iowa Conference Finals 6 p.m. / Oct. 11 at North Butler Quadrangular 5:30 p.m. / Oct. 13 at Forest City Quadrangular / Oct. 18 at Regionals 7 p.m. / Oct. 25 at Regionals 7 p.m. / Oct 28 at Regionals 7 p.m. / Nov. 1 at Regionals 7 p.m. / Nov. 9-12 at State Tournament TBD

Rebuilding Bulldogs After graduating starting quarterback and All-State punter Royce Byrnes, and All-State offensive lineman Jed Johnson, the Lake Mills Bulldogs football team is suddenly unproven in many areas.

The team returns only one All-District player this season, linebacker Bryan Hengesteg, and have newcomers at quarterback and running back.

In his 16th year as the Bulldogs head coach, Bill Byrnes said the team needs to approach the season one game at a time.

The Bulldogs finished 3-6 last season and 2-5 in the North Iowa Conference. Its best

Lake Mills, IA

finish over the past five seasons was as district runner-up in 2006.

Now the Bulldogs move forward with senior quarterback Calvin Beal and junior running back Nathan Banwart.

After graduating many offensive and defensive lineman, Byrnes said senior Thomas Roethler and junior Ben Irons will need to lead the Bulldogs in the trenches.

Byrnes said in order to be successful, the Bulldogs must stay healthy and get contributions from its new starters. He said the team’s players have good attitudes and work ethic but are inexperienced in some areas. —Andrew Dyrdal

call Angie Hoffman today 507-379-3429

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Schedule / Bold denotes home game

Aug. 26 at Northwood-Kensett 7 p.m. / Sept. 2 West Hancock 7 p.m. / Sept. 9 GarnerHayfield 7 p.m. / Sept. 16 at AGWSR 7 p.m. / Sept. 23 at Dike-New Hartford 7 p.m. / Sept. 30 St. Ansgar (Homecoming) 7 p.m. / Oct. 7 at Nashua-Plainfield 7 p.m. / Oct. 14 West Fork 7 p.m. / Oct. 21 at Aplington-Parkersburg 7 p.m. / Oct. 26 at Playoffs 7 p.m. / Oct. 31 at Playoffs / Nov. 7 at State quarterfinals 7 p.m. / Nov. 12 at State semifinals TBD / Nov. 19 at State finals TBD

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‘WE KEPT

16 | FALL SPORTS YEARBOOK 2011

IT SIMPLE’

AFTER EIGHT PAINFUL SEASONS ... FINALLY A WIN and forced an option pitch. The pitch missed its mark and resulted in a fumble.

Twenty-five years. That’s how long it’s The Trojans recovered the fumble on the been since the Glenville Trojans football Raiders’ 20-yard line setting up the late team defeated Ellendale-Geneva 14-8 in a game heroics of Severtson. high school football game, ending its With under 4 minutes remaining in the highly publicized 70-game losing streak. game, Vierkant, a sophomore who filled in Memories of Sept. 12, 1986, are still for starting quarterback Joe Foss after he fresh in the minds of many in attendance injured his wrist late in the second quarter, for the extravaganza, which brought marched the Trojans down to the goal line.

Glenville to the forefront of the regional Severtson, the senior fullback, carried and national media and reportedly filled the ball three times as a part of a six-play Ellendale’s Ertel Field with drive to set Glenville up nearly 1,500 spectators. at the three-yard line.

“The kids really The Trojans were “I vividly remember the seemed focused. stopped on fourth-andlast handoff and then looking up at the clock, We kept it simple goal. A facemask penalty and just realizing the game the Raiders gave — dive right, dive on was over,” said Jeff Glenville a fresh set of left. Randy Vierkant, who started the downs. game at wide receiver but Severtson’s fourth would pick up filled in as quarterback carry proved to be the four or five yards difference maker as he after an injury to the a carry.” starter. plunged through defendGlenville had opened — Roger Reuvers ers and finally spun in to the 1986 season with score what would be the losses 69 and 70 to game-winning touchCleveland and Waterville-Elysian down with 2 minutes and 13 seconds respectively. It was head coach Roger remaining in the game. He finished the Reuvers’ second season at the helm of game with 146 rushing yards on 35 carthe Trojans. ries and the touchdown. The Trojans Finally, during the third week of the amassed 243 yards on the ground, while season, the Trojans, led by fullback Randy holding Ellendale-Geneva to just 56 Severtson, managed to break through for yards rushing. their long-awaited victory against the “Randy was just a workhorse,” Vierkant Ellendale-Geneva Raiders. said. “We just gave him the ball, and he “The kids seemed really focused,” ran and ran and ran. Randy decided he Reuvers said. “We kept it simple — dive was going to put the team on his back and right, dive left. Randy would pick up four get us there.” or five yards a carry.”

After the game, Severtson credited his The game was tied 8-8 in the fourth offensive line for his performance and quarter when juniors Mike Heideman and even promised them a pizza since they John Attig flushed Ellendale-Geneva quar- helped him surpass the 100-yard mark. continued on Page 18 terback Tomm Richards out of the pocket

By Garrett Wampler

FALL SPORTS YEARBOOK 2011 | 17

Richards set out to ruin the celebration on Ellendale-Geneva’s home turf. The Raiders leader launched four passes into the Trojan’s red zone but failed to complete the pass on every attempt.

“There were some nerves early in the game,” Vierkant said. “Sports is all about the highs and lows, and we experienced all of them that evening.”

The closest play came on the third attempt. Ellendale-Geneva’s Robby Knudson sprinted past safety Paul Tordoff but failed to make the catch as the ball slipped through his fingers.

Glenville quarterback Foss scored the game’s opening touchdown. The junior scampered past the pylon on a oneyard keeper in the opening quarter.

Foss rolled out to the right and was able to push into the endzone for the score. Fellow junior Dean Dahlum added the two-point conversion. For the game, Dahlum carried the ball 20 times for 64 yards. He also intercepted two balls on defense.

Vierkant recalled a large crowd gathered along the sidelines, in the stands and in the endzone. He said when the game was officially over, everyone stormed the field.

Glenville players lifted their fists and helmets in the air in celebration. Fans and teamates lifted the players on their shoulders to celebrate the first victory in eight years.

The Trojans finished the season with a 1-8 record.

“The people running onto the field was almost like we won a state championship — just the feeling and how excited everyone was.”

Reuvers said.

Regional and national media outlets were at the game. WCCO-TV, KAAL-TV, the Minneapolis Star, Minneapolis Tribune, newspapers from Rochester and Mason City, Iowa, as well as Sports Illustrated were all present for the contest. Local television clips of the game were put together to popular songs of the era such as “We Are The Champions” by Queen.

A

large celebration

In a Sept. 22, 1986, issue of Sports Illustrated, Dahlum told reporters after the win that “All hell is going to break loose.”

After the game there was a rather large and extraordinary celebration for a team that had just won its first game in eight years.

With the game being held in Ellendale, it was a simple trip south on Interstate 35 to return to Glenville on that memorable Friday night. The Trojans’ caravan of family, friends

18 | FALL SPORTS YEARBOOK 2011

and supporters sounded their horns the entire way home.

Reuvers said the team dressed in Glenville prior to the game, and he can remember how loud the bus was on the way back from Ellendale.

When the team made it back to the small town with a population of 851, they were met by police chief Harvey Denzer. He lead the caravan back into town to the Glenville High School parking lot with sirens ablaze.

“It was young people’s jubilation,” said Vierkant, who is now the senior vice president of global manufacturing at Pure Fishing in Spirit Lake, Iowa. “There were fans waiting in the high school parking lot for us along with smiles, hugs and handshakes. It was joy. It was fun to be around our community members.”

Overnight, many of the trees, bushes and shrubs were covered in toilet paper.

When Reuvers returned to his home in Albert Lea that night, he arrived to a house covered with the white streams.

Local businesses joined in with the celebration of the victory. On Sept. 19, 1986, there was an open house for the players on the team and the coaches at the T‘n’T Café in Glenville.

Lasting

memories

Reuvers, who is now the boys’ track coach at New Richmond High School in Wisconsin, coached at Glenville from 1982 to ’88. He hasn’t coached football since he left Glenville besides doing occasional volunteering.

During his first two years at Glenville High, he was an assistant to two different head coaches. In his third year, he was handed the reins to the program. At age 25, Reuvers remembers not being too much older than some of his players.

“I must have been crazy to take on that situation,” he said.

He said he still remembers felling nervous before the big game. In his eyes it was the best chance they had to break the streak that season.

The head coach also remembers all of the media attention that game received. He said he remembers WCCO-TV having large satellite trucks in the Glenville High School parking lot for live interviews before the team headed to Ellendale.

“I remember those kids. They were great, hard-working individuals — great attitudes and good, all-around kids,” Reuvers said. “I always felt they were very positive.”

Reuvers added that it was interesting throughout the streak at how positive and dedicated the athletes were to each other and the program. He said that some of the parents were more stressed out about the situation than the kids.

“The kids always had a good perspective and just wanted to play football,” Reuvers said.

Bob Otterson spent two football seasons from 1985 to ’86 covering sports as the sports editor of the Tribune.

He said Ellendale-Geneva had graduated a good crop of male athletes the year before in 1985. Otterson said, “As I looked at Glenville’s schedule, I saw the match up with them as the most evenly matched game.

“They may have just lacked the depth to hang on at the end of the games,” Otterson said. “The problem also could have been that Glenville had to play much larger schools during the streak.”

Otterson said the Trojans had talented athletes but they just couldn’t win a game.

When the game ended, Otterson was the first member of the media to interview coach Reuvers. Otterson said he “had this distinct look of relief on his face.”

Otterson then raced to the nearest pay phone more than three blocks away. After he outran competing reporters, he was the first journalist to deliver the outcome of the game to the Associated Press.

Fallen

hero

In May of 1992, tragedy struck the tightknit community of Glenville. On the fourth of the month, Severtson succumbed to a battle with cancer.

“Randy was the heart and soul of that team,” Vierkant said.

He described Severtson as a person who not only had a passion for football, but a passion for life.

When Severtson was a member of the Glenville squad, Reuvers remembers him as a true leader for the Trojans. He said Severtson always had a smile on his face.

“He was a top-notch kid, a good student who worked hard in the classroom and loved hunting and being outdoors,” Reuvers said.

“I had a lot of respect for him. He would never take shortcuts and always give a 100 percent effort.”

Severtson was the Trojan’s co-captain. He went on from Glenville High School to play football at Hamline University in St. Paul.

He is remembered by teammates and reporters as a hard-nosed football player and a strong member of the community. Reuvers said he wasn’t the fastest kid on the team, but he was the hardest hitter he has ever coached.

“To lose him so tragically was a great deal of sadness,” Vierkant said. “It’s difficult to talk about even now.”

A

long eight years

The Trojans were featured in the November 1985 issue of Sports Illustrated. The issue has become a keepsake of many local residents and compared the football team’s on-the-field struggles with the economic problems of the community as they approached the national mark for most consecutive losses.

It all began with an article published on the front page of the sports section in the Minneapolis Tribune before the 1985 season, when the streak was only in the 60s.

“The funny thing is, I got this call from the Tribune. I thought it was from Albert Lea,” Reuvers said. “It was a guy from the Minneapolis Tribune. He ended up writing a

Above is an inside page from the Nov. 4, 1985, issue of Sports Illustrated. The story focused on the woes of Glenville’s economy and its football team, which at the time of publication had amassed a 68-game losing streak. Opposite page: Sports Illustrated’s twopage spread on the Glenville Trojans football team.

huge article, which was on the front page of the sports section, and that’s when I started getting calls from all over the country.”

The introduction to the losing streak featured in the Minneapolis Tribune prior to the 1985 season kicked off the media frenzy that surrounded the Trojans for all of the ’85 season and the beginning of the ’86 season, until they were able to defeat the Raiders.

It was a monumental losing streak, composed of what some would call poor luck or the result of a division change, that fell two games shy of the then-national high school mark of 72 consecutive defeats recorded by Iberia, Mo., between the seasons of 1965 and ’74.

During the streak, many of the team’s games were decided by less than a touch-

down — including consecutive games in 1983, when Janesville defeated the struggling Trojans squad 6-0 in overtime. The following week Faribault got the best of Glenville 7-6.

Glenville was shut out 38 times and outscored 1,803-259 during the skid, which spanned eight years. The streak began after an 18-6 victory over Minnesota Lake on Sept.

8, 1978, also outlasted several head coaches.

Twenty-five years later, the losing streak of 70 games still stands as the fourth-longest streak behind the top mark of 80-straight losses by Jefferson Davis High School in Texas, which was snapped in 1993. Sturgis High School in South Dakota is now second with a 79-game losing streak spanning the years of 1997 to 2006, followed by Iberia and Glenville.

FALL SPORTS YEARBOOK 2011 | 19

MOMENTUM SHIFT

WOLVERINES RETURN HUNGRY FOR ELUSIVE STATE BERTh Coming off its first section championship appearance in school history, the Glenville-Emmons football team is geared to make another run at a state tournament berth.

The Wolverines took its fans on a whirlwind tour last season after beating Houston in the Section 1 NineMan quarterfinals before stunning top-seeded Grand Meadow in the semis. Supporters traveled in droves to watch the Wolverines play at host Lanesboro in the section finals, who it ultimately lost to 52-8. Lanesboro, meanwhile, went on to finish runner-up at the state tournament.

The Wolverines return 15 letterwinners from last year’s historic team, including many top offensive players.

The Wolverines return Perry Kirsch, who plays running back, wide receiver and defensive back, and was named Southeast All-Conference last season. Kirsch was a key playmaker for the Wolverines and averaged more than 20 yards per catch.

The Wolverines also return junior Derek Olson, who was the team’s second leading rusher, and Wyatt Madson, who after playing backup quarterback last season will slip into the starting role.

The Wolverines also return its 2010 Lineman of the Year, Tom Kirsch, and three-year starter on the offensive and defensive line, Mike Polinder.

“We have high expectations as we have many key starters returning,” second-year coach Ryan Kelly said.

“We feel we match up well against all the teams in our conference.”

The Wolverines finished fifth last season in the eight-team Southeast Conference with a 3-5 record. Grand Meadow, Spring Grove and Lanesboro tied atop the SEC with 6-1 records, and Kelly said Spring Grove Perry Kirsch

20 | FALL SPORTS YEARBOOK 2011

and Lanesboro are early conference favorites this season.

“You could make a good case for four or five teams out of our conference, including ourselves,” Kelly said.

Kelly said the SEC champion will have an inside edge in Section 1 Nine-Man, which is made up of seven SEC teams and Alden-Conger.

The Wolverines will at least attempt to secure home-field advantage during the quarterfinals after playing all three postseason games last season on the road.

Kelly said the Wolverines had good team speed and excellent experience returning. He also said the team will have a strong defensive backfield.

The Wolverines’ weakness?

“Depth is a question right now especially on the offensive line,” Kelly said.

With depth as a question mark, the Wolverines will need to stay healthy in order to contend for a conference title and run deep into the postseason. Kelly said the team must also limit opponent’s rushing game and limit turnovers.

While the Wolverines have strong returners at key positions, the ball often won’t be in the same hands it was last season. The Wolverines graduated Zack Williamson, who had two consecutive 2,000-yard passing seasons at quarterback, Andrew Lau, a tight end and linebacker who was named an SEC Honorable Mention after leading the team in tackles and All-SEC wide receiver and defensive back Peter Hansen, who returned four kicks for touchdowns last season.

The Wolverines will also be without last season’s leading rusher and Team MVP Landon Hall. — Andrew Dyrdal

Schedule / Bold denotes home game Sept. 1 at Grand Meadow 7 p.m. / Sept. 9 Lyle/Pacelli 7 p.m. / Sept. 16 at LeRoyOstrander 7 p.m. / Sept. 23 Lanesboro 7 p.m. / Sept. 30 at Spring Grove 7 p.m. / Oct. 7 at Mabel-Canton 7 p.m. / Oct. 14 Houston 7 p.m. (Homecoming) / Oct. 19 Grand Meadow 7 p.m. / Oct. 25 at Section 1 Nine-Man Tournament 7 p.m. / Oct. 29 at Section 1 Nine-Man Tournament 7 p.m. / Nov. 4 at Section 1 Nine-Man Tournament, 7 p.m. / Nov. 10-26 at Nine-Man State Tournament, TBD

CHANGING GEARS

senior-starved volleyball team looks to rebuild To say the Glenville-Emmons volleyball team lost a lot of seniors would be an understatement.

The Wolverines graduated its entire starting rotation including its first player off the bench — a grand total of its seven top players.

That left the Wolverines, who finished fourth in the Southeast Conference last season, with two inexperienced seniors and a small group of young but dedicated underclassman.

In her ninth season as head coach, Lisa Ziebell said after losing half her team each position is open. The Wolverines lost fiveyear starter, three-time All-Conference performer and two-time Team MVP, Kailey Davis, along with All-Conference four-year starter Alayna Hall.

To add to that list, the Wolverines kills leader over the past two seasons, Kalli Van Ryswyk, graduated along with Nisha Davis, Emily Belshan, Devin Cooper and Robyn Roe. The Wolverines’ most experienced returners are junior setter Jamie Williamson and freshman outside hitter Madi Ziebell.

“With only two seniors this season, this will be a rebuilding year,” Ziebell said. “I’m expecting to try different things.”

The Wolverines’ two seniors are Jennaca Haines and Morgan Schumaker. Neither player was set at a position when practice began. The Wolverines’ junior class, along with Williamson, includes Heather Davies,

Karren Olson and Meagen Nelson. Ziebell said the juniors could bring a “punch to the court.”

Ziebell said the team’s strength this season is the positive attitude of its players.

“These girls enjoy volleyball and they like to have fun,” Ziebell said. “When you have fun good things tend to happen.”

This season, Ziebell said she’s judging success by the improvement the team makes.

She said she is putting girls in a position that will benefit the entire team.

“We all have our work cut out for us,” Ziebell said. “I know the girls will work hard, and it will take time and probably many changes to find the right combination of girls that will jell. But that is what it is all about. My goal on the season is to get better each match.”

Ziebell said defending SEC champion Mabel-Canton is the favorite to win the conference this season along with LeRoyOstrander. Mabel-Canton finished undefeated in the SEC last year and 32-0 during the regular season before being upset by Kingsland in the second round of Section 1A Tournament.

Ziebell said Faribault Bethlehem Academy is the frontrunner to win Section 1A. Bethlehem Academy lost in the section finals last season to Wabasha-Kellogg, who eventually won the Class A state championship. — Andrew Dyrdal Jamie Williamson

Schedule / Bold denotes home match Aug. 30 Hope Lutheran 7:15 p.m. / Sept. 6 at Spring Grove 7:15 p.m. / Sept. 8 at Lyle/Pacelli 7:15 p.m. / Sept. 13 Schaeffer Academy 7:15 p.m. / Sept.

15 Lanesboro 7:15 p.m. / Sept. 22 Grand Meadow 7:15 p.m. / Sept. 27 at LeRoy-Ostrander 7:15 p.m. / Sept. 29 Lyle/Pacelli 7:15 p.m. / Oct. 4 at Schaeffer Academy 7:15 p.m. / Oct. 6 at Houston 7:15 p.m. / Oct. 11 Mabel-Canton 7:15 p.m. / Oct. 13 at Grand Meadow 7:15 p.m. / Oct. 18 LeRoyOstrander 7:15 p.m. / Oct. 24-Nov. 5 at Section 1A Tournament TBD / Nov. 10-12 at Class A State Tournament TBD

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KNIGHTIME A-C football revels in role as dark horse The Alden-Conger football team has fallen from grace since its state tournament appearance in 2008.

After finishing 5-5 in 2009, the Knights were held winless last season and were outscored an average of 48 to 10 each game. The Knights have a chance to put last season behind them when they open Week 1 against Edgerton/Ellsworth — a team they lost 60-0 to last year.

“The expectations this season are the expectations we have for every season,” second-year head coach Nick Willaert said. “We expect to improve as individuals on and off the field.”

In his first season as the Knights’ coach, Willaert inherited a program that saw success in the second half of the 2000s but was depleted after graduating a solid senior class. This year, according to Willaert, the Knights’ strength is its upperclassmans’ leadership, something that will aid in the coach’s search for his first career victory.

“Upperclassman have provided excellent examples for our younger players during our off-season and summer workouts,” Willaert said.

“Although we gain significant experience

from the past season, we are still a young team that needs to continue to work hard and improve in a number of areas.”

The Knights return six letterwinners from last season, including Defensive Player of the Year Jake Fawcett. The senior offensive lineman and linebacker is a leader on offense and defense.

“We expect him to be the foundation for us on both sides of the ball,” Willaert said.

The Knights return senior Tony Behnke who plays running back and defensive back.

According to Willaert, Behnke has tremendous speed and athleticism, along with strong leadership.

“Not only do we expect him to be a great leader for our team but a big play producer on both sides of the ball,” Willaert said.

The Knights will have a new quarterback this season in junior Jordan Johnson.

Willaert said Johnson will bring a new dimension to the position with his speed and athleticism.

“More importantly,” Willaert added, “he is a good decision maker. We expect him to improve our offense greatly this season.”

Other returning letterwinners are senior lineman Kody Schoppers and junior linemen Chaz Mithun and Spencer Wallin. The Knights also return sophomore Jordan Bute who was the team’s Iron Man Award winner last season.

Willaert said the young Knights’ keys to

success center around how much the team improves this season.

“If we are significantly better team at the end of the season than we were at the start then we have had a successful season, no matter our wins and losses,” Willaert said. “We can only control our team and how hard we work to improve on and off the field.”

Willaert, who is a health and physical education teacher at AldenConger School, said the Southern Confederacy Conference favorites are Edgerton/ Ellsworth, Nicollet and Hills-Beaver Creek. He said the Section 1 Nine-Man frontrunners are Spring Grove, Grand Meadow and Lanesboro. —Andrew Dyrdal

Schedule / Bold denotes home game Sept. 2 Edgerton/Ellsworth 7 p.m. / Sept. 9 Westbrook/Walnut Grove 7 p.m. / Sept. 16 at Truman 7 p.m. / Sept. 23 Hills-Beaver Creek 7 p.m. / Sept.

30 at Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Martin Luther 7 p.m. / Oct. 7 Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton 7 p.m. / Oct. 14 at Cleveland 7 p.m. / Oct. 19 at Nicollet 7 p.m. / Oct. 25 at Section 1 Nine-Man Tournament 7 p.m. / Oct. 29 at Section 1 Nine-Man Tournament 7 p.m. / Nov. 4 at Section 1 Nine-Man Tournament 7 p.m. / Nov. 10-26 at Nine-Man State Tournament

From left, Jordan Johnson, Jake Fawcett and Tony Behnke

26 | FALL SPORTS YEARBOOK 2011

Coach reunites with Knights volleyball Jolene bute returns to alden-Conger after three seasons at USC

Alden-Conger’s sophomore middle hitter, Brittany Watters, left, looks to spike the ball during the first week of volleyball practice.

As a volleyball coach, a move from United South Central to Alden-Conger may seem like a step in the wrong direction. Not for Jolene Bute.

The Alden resident and small business owner stepped down as USC’s volleyball coach at the end of last season to fill the vacant position at Alden-Conger. Bute is a graduate of the high school, played volleyball for the Knights and has children in the district, so when the opportunity presented itself, she jumped on it.

“I’m excited about my new opportunity at Alden-Conger,” Bute said. “We have young players with a lot of excitement for the game of volleyball. I’m really looking forward to the future of Alden-Conger volleyball.”

While the future looks bright, the past two years have been a struggle. The Knights finished 6-20-1 during the 2009 season and 4-20-1 last year with a team comprised mostly of sophomores and freshman.

The Knights are led by junior setter Alli Songstad, who is a co-captain and has started since ninth grade. She will be joined in the starting rotation by junior co-captain Ariel Keller at outside hitter, sophomore middle hitter Brittany Watters and sophomore outside hitter Brooke Reyerson.

“All the girls have been working hard this summer,” Bute said. “I’m excited for all of them.”

Other returning letterwinners include senior Lorna Riemer, juniors Kelsey Behnke, Jamie Dunham, Megan Burris and Megan Knutson and sophomores Brooke Reyerson, Karina Skov, Rachel Kleinschrodt and Malory Mattson.

Bute said her expectations for her team are to improve in each game.

While at USC, Bute accumulated a 54-18 career record and finished last season 16-6 and third in the Gopher Conference. —Andrew Dyrdal Schedule / Bold denotes home match Sept. 8 at Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Martin Luther 7:30 p.m. / Sept. 12 LeCenter 7:30 p.m. / Sept. 13 at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton 7:30 p.m. / Sept.

15 at Madelia 7:30 p.m. / Sept. 17 at Southland Tournament 8 a.m. / Sept. 19 at Medford 7:30 p.m. / Sept. 20 at Maple River 7:30 p.m. / Sept. 22 Nicollet 7:30 p.m. / Sept. 26 Glenville-Emmons 7:30 p.m. / Sept. 27 at Blooming Prairie 7:30 p.m. / Sept. 29 Truman 7:30 p.m. / Oct. 1 at LeRoy-Ostrander 9 a.m. / Oct. 4 at Cleveland 7:30 p.m. / Oct. 6 Lake Crystal-Wellcome-Memorial 7:30 p.m. / Oct. 10 United South Central 7:30 p.m. / Oct. 11 at St. Clair 7:30 p.m. / Oct. 18 Martin County West 7:30 p.m. / Oct. 24-Nov. 5 at Section 2A Tournament TBD / Nov. 10-12 at Class A State Tournament TBD

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FALL SPORTS YEARBOOK 2011 | 23

PRIDE OF THE PACK

Senior-led Panthers poised to win now The New Richland-Hartland-EllendaleGeneva football team didn’t score more than 20 points until its final game of the regular season last year. Still, it started 4-0 and finished fourth in the Gopher Valley Conference.

The Panthers offense should be firing on all cylinders this season as the team is senior led after returning many of its top position players.

The Panthers averaged just over 15 points per game last season, which ranked fifth in the Gopher Valley, but returns its top passer, rusher and receiver.

Senior running back Geoff Ramaker was named the Panthers’ offensive MVP last season after rushing for 784 yards and seven touchdowns on 166 carries. Ramaker also notched 104 tackles and is in his third season as a starting outside linebacker.

He will be handed the ball by second-year starting quarterback Sam Lundberg, a senior who was the area’s top passer last season.

Lundberg threw for 1,402 yards on 114-of217 passing with 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. The athletic playmaker also rushed for five touchdowns.

Lundberg’s leading receiver is also returning. David Lassahn hauled in 420 yards last season for the Panthers.

Of course, no offense is complete without its line, and the Panthers return the team’s Most Valuable Lineman, Seth Patranek, and Carter Tollefson.

The Panthers will be without graduates Chad Schlaak, who was a two-year starter at cornerback, captain and one of the team’s top receivers, and linemen Matt Young and Tyler Crabtree.

The Panthers are coached by Dan Stork, who has a 51-29 record over eight seasons at NRHEG. Now in his ninth season, Stork looks for the Panthers to improve over last Schedule / Bold denotes home game Sept. 2 Blooming Prairie 7 p.m. / Sept. 10 at Minnesota Valley Lutheran 7 p.m. / Sept. 16 Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop 7 p.m. / Sept. 23 at Martin County West 7 p.m. / Sept. 30 Lake Crystal-Wellcome-Memorial 7 p.m. / Oct. 7 at Waterville-Elysian-Morristown 7 p.m. / Oct. 14 United South Central 7 p.m. / Oct. 19 at Maple River 7 p.m. / Oct. 25 at Section 2AA Tournament 7 p.m. / Oct. 29 at Section 2AA Tournament 7 p.m. / Nov. 4 at Section 2AA Tournament 7 p.m. / Nov. 10-26 at Class AA State Tournament 24 | FALL SPORTS YEARBOOK 2011

season’s record and win at least seven games.

The team’s best record over the past five years were 8-1 in 2007 and 8-2 in 2008.

Stork said the Panthers are stocked with hard-working and competitive athletes but lack size and depth.

“We are going to need some younger players on the line to step up,” Stork said.

The Panthers opened up the 2010 season by beating Blooming Prairie, United South Central, Martin County West and Lake Crystal-Wellcome-Memorial each by three points or less.

Sitting atop the Gopher Conference five weeks into the season, the Panthers ran into some of the league’s best teams and dropped three consecutive games to Waterville-ElysianMorristown, Maple River and Minnesota

Valley Lutheran.

The Panthers won its final regular season game over Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop and upset Maple River to open the Section 2AA Tournament before falling to WatervilleElysian-Morristown.

The frontrunner to win the Gopher Valley is again Waterville-ElysianMorristown, who went undefeated in the conference last season before falling to Triton, the eventual Class AA state runner-up, in the Section 2AA finals. Stork said Minnesota Valley Lutheran, who finished 3-6 and seventh in the Gopher Valley last year, may also contend the conference crown.

Powerhouses W-E-M and Triton are again favorites to win Section 2AA. —Andrew Dyrdal

seeing (cardinal) red

Panthers cross country news

In his second season as the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva volleyball coach, Joe Kuechenmeister has his sights set high.

After finishing 7-3 but fourth in the topheavy Gopher Conference last season, Kuechenmeister expects to contend for a league title this season.

The Panthers have one of the area’s top starting rotations led by senior Anna Schlaak.

The outside hitter was the 2009 Tribune Player of the Year but missed some of last season due to injuries. Still, Schlaak recorded a team-high 244 kills and 289 digs. Through three seasons on varsity, Schlaak is the school’s all-time career kills leader with 904.

Coaches: head coach, Mike Weber; assistant coach, Lori Tomsche 2010 standings: boys: 10th in Gopher Conference, 19th in Section 2A; girls: seventh in Gopher Conference, 13th in Section 2A Returning letterwinners: boys: T.J. Schiltz (All-Conference), Jade Waltz, Dustin Burshem, Tyler Holz, Raece Johnson, C.J. Schiltz; girls: Abby Crabtree (AllConference), Destinee Meyer, Crystal Olson, Shantaya Olson, Melissa Malakowsky, Katherine Lewer Weber on boys’ team: “We will once again have a very young team. No seniors have graduated and everyone appears to be back.”

Weber on girls’ team: “Abby Crabtree is our four-time All-Conference runner. I think we have some other athletes that might push her more this year.”

“When people talk NRHEG volleyball, they usually talk Anna Schlaak,” Kuechenmeister said. “She’s one of the most complete volleyball players in southern Minnesota. She has several years of experience, an abundance of power, finesse and volleyball intelligence.”

Joining Schlaak in the Panthers’ top lineup is senior hitter Harlee Vokoun who has played libero the past two seasons, and sophomore Carlie Wagner.

“Wagner is the best overall athlete on our team,” Kuechenmeister said. “As a freshman last season, she stepped into the starting lineup as a middle hitter. She played in every match, putting up a solid and consistent block and adding quickness to our offensive attack.”

The Panthers also return junior Noelle Bartness who will start at setter for the team after the graduation of two-time AllConference setter Kacie Phillips.

Kuechenmeister points to the Panthers’ ability to pass the ball as a key to success.

“If we can put that first ball right on our setter, we’re going to be hard to stop because we have a lot of speed and power at the net,” he said.

If the Panthers want a shot at the Gopher Conference title, they first must overtake the powerhouse Bethlehem Academy Cardinals, who have won over 60 consecutive conference matches and have been in the state finals nine of the past 10 years, and won four state championships. —Andrew Dyrdal Schedule /

Bold denotes home match

Aug. 30 at Albert Lea 7:30 p.m. / Sept. 6 at Waterville-ElysianMorristown 7:30 p.m. / Sept. 8 at Blooming Prairie 7:15 p.m. / Sept.

10 at Mankato East Tournament 9 a.m. / Sept. 13 at LeSueurHenderson 7:30 p.m. / Sept. 15 at Randolph 7:15 p.m. / Sept. 20 at Mankato Loyola Catholic 7:15 p.m. / Sept. 22 Medford 7:15 p.m. / Sept. 29 at United South Central 7:15 p.m. / Oct. 4 Faribault Bethlehem Academy 7:15 p.m. / Oct. 6 at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton 7:15 p.m. / Oct. 11 Blooming Prairie 7:15 p.m. / Oct. 15 at Faribault Tournament 9 a.m. / Oct. 18 Waterville-ElysianMorristown / Oct. 27 at Section 2AA Tournament TBD / Nov. 1 at Section 2AA Tournament TBD / Nov. 3 at Section 2AA Tournament TBD / Nov. 5 at Section 2AA Tournament TBD / Nov. 10-12 at Class AA State Tournament

From left, Sam Lundberg, Anna Schlaak and T.J. Schiltz

Schedule / Bold denotes home meet Sept. 1 at Stewartville 4 p.m. / Sept. 8 at Montgomery-Lonsdale 4:15 p.m. / Sept. 15 at Maple River 4:30 p.m. / Sept. 20 New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Invitational 4:30 p.m. / Sept. 27 at Blooming Prairie 4:30 p.m. / Sept. 29 at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton 4:30 p.m. / Oct. 6 at Waseca 4:30 p.m. / Oct. 11 at United South Central 4:30 p.m. / Oct. 18 at Gopher Conference Meet, Madelia, 4 p.m. / Oct. 27 at Section 2A meet, Montgomery, 4 p.m. / Nov. 5 at Class A State Meet, St. Olaf College, TBD

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A TALL TASK rebels receiver’s size stirs defenses If the United South Central football team is to improve on its win total from last season, it will be through the hands of wide receiver Kyle Bauman.

The 6-foot 7-inch receiver caught 18 passes last season for 354 yards and a touchdown.

“Bauman will play a big part in our offense because of his size,” Rebels third-year head coach Brad Huse said. “He will create mismatches on defense.”

Bauman will have a new quarterback throwing him the ball this season in Cole Stencel. The senior played backup last season to Eric Lackey but saw some playing time when Lackey was moved to wide receiver, among other positions.

Lackey, who was an all-purpose player, is a key loss for the Rebels.

“He did a little bit of everything,” Huse said.

The Rebels also graduated Jordan Beyer, the school’s career sacks leader at middle linebacker.

Other returning letterwinners include senior tight end Jason Huper, senior lineman Blake Mutschler, senior center Dalton Farley and junior running back Tyler Lackey.

Huse said the Rebels’ strength this season is its senior leadership.

“We will be a work in progress at the start of the season with a new defense and revamped offense,” Huse said.

The coach said the Rebels must prevent injuries and be able to overcome adversity in order to be successful.

The Rebels finished 3-6 last season and sixth in the Gopher Conference. —Andrew Dyrdal

Schedule / Bold denotes home game Sept. 2 Blue Earth 7 p.m. / Sept. 2 at Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop 7 p.m. / Sept. 16 Waterville-Elysian-Morristown 7 p.m. / Sept. 23 at Lake CrystalWellcome-Memorial 7 p.m. / Sept. 30 Martin County West 7 p.m. / Oct. 7 at Maple River 7 p.m. / Oct. 14 at New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva 7 p.m. / Oct. 19 Minnesota Valley Lutheran 7 p.m. / Oct. 25 at Section 2A Tournament 7 p.m. / Oct. 29 at Section 2A Tournament 7 p.m. / Nov. 4 at Section 2A Tournament 7 p.m. / Nov. 10-26 Class A State Tournament

Kyle Bauman

USC cross country looks to regain conference crown In his 48th season as a head cross country coach, Kent Viesselman has his fair share of accomplishments.

Over his coaching career, Viesselman has beaten 5,509 boys’ and girls’ teams and lost to 1,672 for a winning percentage of 78.

As the United South Central boys’ coach, Viesselman led the Rebels to Gopher Valley Conference titles in 2006 through 2008. The Rebels finished fourth in the league last season and another championship has eluded the team over

the past two years.

The boys’ team returns five letterwinners from that team, including Dylan Baumann.

“Baumann should be a good No. 1 runner,” Viesselman said. “We need to close the gap between him and No. 2. We need to raise our level of aspirations.”

The girls’ team returns its entire top lineup from last season, including No. 1 runner Hannah Goemann. The junior placed 14th at the Class A state meet last season and was named All-State, All-

Section, All-Conference and team MVP. The Rebels girls’ team also returns seniors Andree Escherich and Abby Trio, and ninth-grader Amber Klein, among others.

Viesselman said both teams’ key to success is to gain confidence throughout the season and receive positive leadership.

Viesselman said the Gopher Valley favorite for boys and girls is Martin County West, and the Section 2A favorite is Waseca. —Andrew Dyrdal

Schedule / Bold denotes home meet Aug. 26 at Fairmont TBD / Aug. 31 at Mountain Lake-Butterfield-Odin 3:30 p.m. / Sept. 8 at Montgomery-Lonsdale 4:30 p.m. / Sept. 15 at Maple River 4:30 p.m. / Sept. 22 at Pine Island 4:30 p.m. / Sept. 27 at Kingsland 4:30 p.m. / Oct. 6 at Waseca 4:30 p.m. / Oct. 11 at United South Central 4:30 p.m. / Oct. 18 at Gopher Valley Conference meet, Madelia, 4 p.m. / Oct. 27 at Section 2A meet, Montgomery, TBD / Nov. 5 at Class A State Tournament TBD 26 | FALL SPORTS YEARBOOK 2011

Hotzler returns as Rebels head coach Rick Hotlzer spent the past three seasons as the United South Central volleyball assistant coach to Jolene Bute. As Bute accepted a job at Alden-Conger this offseason, Hotzler returned to the role he has played before — head coach.

Hotzler has worked at USC for 28 years and was the volleyball team’s head coach for five years prior to Bute’s arrival. Now he’s back leading the Rebels, who finished 16-6 last season and third in the Gopher Conference.

The Rebels return four senior letterwinners from last season’s squad, including hitters Cassidy Latusek, Kristy Ovrebo and Allie Voigt, and setter Katie Ovrebo. Those four players will have to make up for the departure of four All-Conference performers.

“We hope to improve as the season goes along so we will peak around playoff time,” Hotzler said. “We would like to make it past the section quarterfinals.”

The Rebels two returning starters are Kristy Ovrebo and Allie Voigt. Hotzler said Kristy will be responsible for making the offense move and Voigt needs to step up and be the team’s leading hitter. Kristy Ovrebo and Cassidy Latusek are more unproven.

Hotzler expects the Rebels to contend for a top-half finish in the Gopher Valley Conference and be strong fundamentally.

The team’s weakness is lack of experience.

Hotzler pointed to Faribault Bethlehem Academy and New Richland-HartlandEllendale-Geneva as the league’s favorites this season. —Andrew Dyrdal

Schedule / Bold denotes home match Sept. 1 at Maple River 7:15 p.m. / Sept. 6 Lake Crystal-Wellcome-Memorial 7:15 p.m. / Sept. 8 at Waterville-Elysian-Morristown 7:15 p.m. / Sept. 10 at Mankato West Tournament TBD / Sept. 15 at Medford 7:15 p.m. / Sept. 19 Albert Lea 7:15 p.m. / Sept. 20 at Faribault Bethlehem Academy 7:15 p.m. / Sept. 22 Mankato Loyola Catholic 7:15 p.m. / Sept. 24 at Truman Tournament 9 a.m. / Sept. 29 New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva 7:15 p.m. / Oct. 1 at Blue Earth Tournament TBD / Oct. 6 Blooming Prairie 7:15 p.m. / Oct. 10 at Alden-Conger 7:15 p.m. / Oct. 13 at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton 7:15 p.m. / Oct. 17 St. Clair 7:15 p.m. / Oct. 18 Randolph 7:15 p.m. / Oct. 18 at Section 2A Tournament TBD / Oct. 27 at Section 2A Tournament TBD / Oct. 31 at Section 2A Tournament TBD / Nov. 3 at Section 2A Tournament TBD / Nov. 5 at Section 2A Tournament TBD / Nov. 10-12 at Class A State Tournament TBD

Rebels begin Gopher Valley title defense Set to defend its Gopher Valley Conference championship, the United South Central girls’ tennis team has a new look.

The Rebels welcome Jill Bailey as its new head coach this season for at least a year as she fills in for Kim Stevermer, who slipped into the assistant coach role. Bailey will lead a Rebels squad that returns talent but lost most of its top players from last season.

The Rebels return senior captain Robin Staloch, who was named All-Conference last season and is a consistent leader with the most varsity experience. The team also

returns junior Monica Bye, sophomores Claire Christian and Julia Stenzel, and ninth-grader Linsey Thisus.

The Rebels lost the doubles team of Cami Christian and Bri Schroeder, who advanced to the state tournament last season after being named All-Conference. The Rebels also graduated Rachel Mattick, an AllConference performer and state singles alternate, No. 1 singles player Ali Ramsley and All-Conference doubles team Dani Roberts and Megan Chicos.

Bailey expects the team to improve each week and work hard. —Andrew Dyrdal

Schedule / Bold denotes home match Aug. 19 at St. Peter TBD / Aug. 20 at Luverne Tournament 10 a.m. / Aug. 25 Albert Lea 4 p.m. / Aug. 27 at New Prague Tournament TBD / Aug. 29 at Fairmont 4:30 p.m. / Sept. 6 at Waseca 4:30 p.m. / Sept. 8 LeCenter-Cleveland 4:30 p.m. / Sept. 12 Martin County West 4:30 p.m. / Sept. 13 at Blue Earth 4:30 p.m. / Sept. 15 at Maple River 4:30 p.m. / Sept. 17 at St. James Tournament TBD / Sept. 19 LeSueur-Henderson 4:30 p.m. / Sept. 22 Sleepy Eye 4:30 p.m. / Sept. 27 at Belle Plaine 4:30 p.m. / Sept. 29 New Ulm 4:30 p.m. / Oct. 1 at Gopher Conference Tournament, Mankato, TBD / Oct. 4 at Jordan 4:30 p.m.

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NORTHWOOD Vikings

enter new era without star QB The Northwood-Kensett Vikings football team will look to use the momentum it gained during the second half of last season to get off to a better start this year.

The Vikings, who have been the area’s most dominant football team over the past decade, got off to an 0-5 start last season and nearly lost a sixth consecutive game before turning it around and advancing to the state tournament. For his efforts, Vikings head coach Dave Capitani was named Tribune Coach of the Year.

“It’s been a long time since we started 0-5,” Capitani said in a post-season interview. “We played very, very well and turned our season around.”

The Vikings won five of its final six games and much of the revival was credited to Capitani’s son, Spencer, who was named First-Team All-State last season and District Offensive Player of the Year. Spencer was a two-year starter who rushed for over 1,400 yards and 11 touchdowns last season on 186 carries. The Vikings must replace him and most of its offensive and defensive line.

The Vikings also lost two First-Team AllDistrict linemen in Hayden Olson and Bryan Sime. Olson was on the Tribune All-Area First Team after recording 53 tackles and being one of the Vikings’ most consistent offensive lineman.

The Vikings thrive on its running game and return most of its running backs from last season, including senior Nik Werner who was First-Team All-District. Werner averaged 5.6 yards per carry last season, rushing for 528 yards on 94 carries with four touchdowns. At linebacker, Werner recorded 62 tackles and had one interception and a fumble recovery.

VIKINGS’ top returners Nik Werner, senior, RB/LB Shayne Olson, senior, OL/DE Tanner Haberman, senior, LB Tyler Thofson, senior, TE/S Darrin Duryee, senior, DT Michael Gordon, senior, OL Dylan Nitcher, senior, RB/LB Sam Krull, senior, DE Caleb Reyerson, senior, CB Garrett Olson, junior, RB/C Brady Cotter, junior, DE Cameron Batton, junior, CB

The Vikings also return First-Team AllDistrict offensive lineman and defensive end Shayne Olson, who was named Tribune AllArea Honorable Mention.

Capitani’s goal for the season, like every season, is to compete for a district title and state tournament bid. The Vikings’ best finish over the past five seasons was a district title in 2008 before advancing to the state semifinals.

In his 23rd season as the Vikings head coach, Capitani has a 146-75 career record.

He said the team’s weakness is its lack of depth and experience linemen.

“How these guys come along will be key to our success,” Capitani said.

Capitani said the district favorite this season is West Hancock, who the Vikings play on Sept. 30 on the road. —Andrew Dyrdal

Schedule / Bold denotes home game Aug. 19 at Mason City Newman Catholic 7 p.m. / Aug. 26 Lake Mills 7 p.m. / Sept. 2 at Rockford 7 p.m. / Sept. 9 Clay Central-Everly 7 p.m. / Sept. 23 Bishop Garrigan 7 p.m. / Sept. 30 at West Hancock 7 p.m. / Oct. 7 North Iowa 7 p.m. / Oct. 14 Southeast Webster 7 p.m. / Oct. 21 at Belmond-Klemme 7 p.m. / Oct. 26 at District Tournament TBD / Oct. 31 at District Tournament 7 p.m.

28 | FALL SPORTS YEARBOOK 2011

KENSETT

MINNESOTA V I K I N G S

Volleyball

trio set to jumpstart vikings With the young core of the Northwood-Kensett volleyball team over the past few seasons finally into their senior year, the Vikings are poised to make a run toward the top half of the Corn Bowl Conference.

In her third season as head coach, Bess Eilertson returns five senior letterwinners and lost no impactful players from last year.

Those returners include middle blockers Britney Low and Kelsi Brockman, outside hitters Courtney Eilertson and Tessa Bratrud and setter Courtney Hengesteg.

“Our strength is our returning seniors,” Eilertson said. “Four of the five have played strong varsity positions since their sophomore years and have quite a bit of playing experience.”

Low has been a key player for the Vikings for the past two seasons. Last year, Low led the Vikings with 131 kills and averaged 2.1 per game. She also led the Vikings in digs (220), solo blocks (22) and served at an 86 percent clip with 19 aces. She was one of only two players to start each game.

“Low knows the game inside and out,” Eilertson said of the co-captain

who was named Second-Team AllConference last year. “She is quick to the block and sees the floor well.”

Courtney Eilertson was the Vikings’ best server last season, and All-Conference Honorable Mention and voted team MVP. She served 91 percent with 28 aces while also leading the team in offensive efficiency.

Courtney notched 116 kills on the year and 185 digs.

“Courtney is very good at getting around the block and seeing what is open and where to place the ball.”

Bratrud, the team’s other co-captain, has a solid line shot and boosts team morale, according to Eilertson.

While the Vikings strength is its senior class, the team lacks depth beyond its starting rotation.

“We have some pretty young players on our court this year filling in the remaining positions,” Eilertson said. “They need to step up their game and their confidence, and realize that they belong on the court as well.”

Because of the blending of experience and youth, Eilertson said team unity will be a key to success.

Eilertson said Central Springs and West Fork are the favorites to win the Corn Bowl this season. She expects the Vikings to contend for a top-four spot in the league.

Schedule / Bold denotes home game Sept. 11 at San Diego Chargers 3:15 p.m. / Sept.

18 Tampa Bay Buccaneers noon / Sept. 25 Detriot Lions noon / Oct. 2 at Kansas City Chiefs noon / Oct. 9 Arizona Cardinals noon / Oct. 16 at Chicago Bears 7:20 p.m. / Oct. 23 Green Bay Packers 3:15 p.m. / Oct. 30 at Carolina Panthers noon / Nov. 14 at Green Bay Packers 7:30 p.m. / Nov. 20 Oakland Raiders noon / Nov. 27 at Atlanta Falcons noon / Dec. 4 Denver Broncos 3:05 p.m. / Dec. 11 at Detriot Lions noon / Dec. 18 New Orleans Saints noon / Dec. 24 at Washington Redskins noon / Jan. 1 Chicago Bears noon

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