2021 SEASON PROGRAM | #ROLLHIVE | #YELLOWJACKETSTRONG RCTCYELLOWJACKETS.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/RCTCVOLLEYBALL | @RCTCATHLETICS
2021 SCHEDULE AUGUST 8/17
@ North Iowa Area CC
3:00 PM
SEPTEMBER
VOLLEYBALL FANS... Welcome to Yellowjacket Volleyball! As RCTC’s President, I am eager to see what this season holds for our student-athletes, both on and off the court. RCTC has a reputation for striving to maintain an outstanding athletic program, including setting examples of good sportsmanship, and providing personal growth opportunities for our student-athletes through both academic performance and team experiences. This is accomplished by living our values of being learner-centered, valuing excellence, respect, teamwork, innovation, and, along the way, having a little fun. In addition to our athletic programs, our student-athletes may choose from a variety of other student life activities to assist them in developing their leadership and other life skills. We encourage you to check out what opportunities await you at RCTC by going to www.rctc.edu. You’ll be amazed at what you’ll find. Because of the continued risks around the spread of COVID-19, protocols have been put in place and we ask all students and visitors to the College to adhere to those guidelines posted on our website at www.rctc.edu/coronavirus.
GO YELLOWJACKETS!
Jeffery S. Boyd President
9/1 9/8 9/10 9/11
Anoka-Ramsey CC * ^ @ Century College * ^
6:30 PM 6:30 PM
RCTC Tournament North Iowa Area CC Des Moines Area CC Iowa Lakes CC Hawkeye CC
3:00 PM 7:00 PM 10:00 AM 2:00 PM
9/15 9/17 9/18 9/20 9/22 9/24 9/25 9/29
@ Minnesota West CTC * ^ @ Anoka-Ramsey CC * ^ @ St. Cloud TCC * ^ Viterbo JV Western TC * ^ Ridgewater College * ^ Minnesota State CTC * Riverland CC * ^
6:30 PM 6:30 PM 12:00 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 12:00 PM 6:30 PM
OCTOBER 10/1 10/2 10/6 10/8 10/9 10/13 10/15 10/16 10/18 10/20
DMACC INVITATIONAL (@Boone, IA) Hawkeye CC Des Moines Area CC North Iowa Area CC Iowa Central CC
1:00 PM 5:00 PM 12:00 PM 2:00 PM
@Western Technical College * ^ @Minnesota State CTC * @Ridgewater College * ^ @Riverland CC * ^ St. Cloud TCC * ^ Minnesota West CTC * ^ @Viterbo JV Century College * ^
6:30 PM 6:30 PM 12:00 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 12:00 PM TBA 6:30 PM
NOVEMBER 11/5-6 Region XIII Tournament 11/10-13 National Tournament (Rochester, MN)
rctcyellowjackets.com
TBA TBA
Bold text denotes home event * denotes conference game ^ denotes division game
ROCHESTER COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE YELLOWJACKETS
YELLOWJACKET VOLLEYBALL TEAM
TEAM ROSTER
# NAME
HIGHSCHOOL
HOMETOWN
1
Alexis Simpson
Caledonia
Caledonia, MN
2
Kiley Nihart
Medford
Faribault, MN
3
Alyvia Eide
Rushford-Peterson
Rushford, MN
4
Maryx Young
Hayfield
Hayfield, MN
10
Hope Sexton
Fillmore Central
Preston, MN
12
Chelsea Lasker
Triton
Dodge Center, MN
13
Triniti Gbala
St. Charles
St. Charles, MN
14
Jennifer Albrecht
Houston
Houston, MN
16
Eliana Hammann
Lewiston-Altura
Lewiston, MN
18
Molly Kleist
Linn-Mar
Marion, IA
2021 VOLLEYBALL SEASON PROGRAM | PAGE 1
MEET THE YELLOWJACKET VOLLEYBALL TEAM
Alexis Simpson
Kiley Nihart
Alyvia Eide
ALEXIS SIMPSON is a sophomore from Caledonia, MN where she graduated from Caledonia High School. Her family includes mom Valerie, brother Ja'shon, and sisters Tenya and Kyley. Her favorite movie is Friday. Pasta is her favorite food. Her favorite game is ANY card game and Criminal Minds is her favorite TV show. KILEY NIHART is a freshman from Faribault, MN and graduated from Medford High School. Her athletic honors are 1000+ career digs, second place at state junior year, third place at state senior year. Her team won All-Tournament Team 2018. Her family includes dad, Corey, mom, Katie, and brother, Jake. Her major is nursing, and she would like to be a labor and delivery nurse. Her favorite movie is Safe Haven. Popcorn, chips and guacamole, pasta, and chocolate covered strawberries are her favorite foods. Her favorite game is Spike Ball. Outer Banks is her favorite TV show. Fun fact about Kiley is she can’t live without Chapstick. It’s always with her on the bench! She chose RCTC because it is the best fit--close to home to play volleyball and the phenomenal nursing program. ALYVIA EIDE is a freshman from Rushford, MN, where she graduated from Rushford-Peterson High School. Her athletic honors are Three Rivers All-Conference for three years and her academic honors are Three Rivers Academic All-Conference for three years as well. Her family members are her parents, Tyler and Erica, and brothers, Cashtyn and Cayne. Her major is nursing. Her favorite movie is National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Her favorite foods are pineapples and Oreos. She loves any card or dice game. Her favorite TV show is Law and Order: SVU. Fun fact: Alyvia can’t do a cartwheel. Her special talent is being outgoing and easy to talk to. She chose RCTC because it is close to home, has a successful volleyball team, and a great nursing program. MARYX YOUNG is a freshman hailing from Hayfield, MN where she graduated from Hayfield High School. Her athletic honors include over 1000 set assists, First All-Conference junior, and senior year, second team All-Conference sophomore year, and she holds the track and field mile record. Her academic honors are high honors all four years of high school, maintained a 3.0 GPA or higher in her PSEO classes (Post-Secondary Enrollment Option program). Her family members are mom, Andrea, dad, Uri, sister, Eva, and brothers, Chapel and Nicolas. Her major is nursing. Her favorite movie is The Goonies. Her favorite food is Popcorners chips. Chess is her favorite game, and The Vampire Diaries is her favorite TV show. Fun fact about Maryx: Her name is completely made up. Her special talent is walking on her hands. She chose RCTC because she loves the idea of staying close to home.
Maryx Young
Hope Sexton
Chelsea Lasker
HOPE SEXTON is a freshman coming to us from Preston, MN, where she graduated from Fillmore Central High School. She was an All-Conference Honorable Mention. Her family members include her parents, Ryan and Danielle, sister Erin and brother Ty. Her major is nursing. Her favorite movie is Grease. Her favorite food is shrimp alfredo. Her favorite game is The Game of Life. Her favorite TV show is Grey’s Anatomy. Fun fact: When Hope was young, her parents convinced her she was an alien. Her special talent is the iMessage game, cup pong. She chose RCTC because it is affordable, close to family, and has a great nursing program. CHELSEA LASKER is a sophomore hailing from Dodge Center, MN and graduated from Triton High School, where she graduated with honors and high distinction. Her athletic honors include AllConference Honorable Mention junior year, All-Conference senior year, volleyball, basketball and softball captain. Her academic honors include a 4.0 GPA throughout high school. Her first year of college she made the President’s List (4.0 GPA). Her team honors include four years of varsity volleyball, basketball, and softball. Chelsea was Defensive MVP sophomore, junior and senior year and exceeded 1000+ set assists (only the third person to do this in school history). Chelsea broke the school record for serving percentage in a career (97.7%) and broke the school record for serving percentage in a season (100%). Her family members are mom, Nikki, dad, Mike, sisters, Mandy and Lanie, brother, Shane, and niece Ellianna. Her major is elementary education. Her favorite movie is Grown Ups. Chick fil A and Chipotle are her favorite restaurants. MLB The Show is her favorite game. Her favorite TV shows are Law and Order: SVU and Criminal Minds. Fun fact: Chelsea was born 12 weeks early (at 28 weeks) and was less than three pounds. Her special talent is riding a dirt bike. She chose RCTC because the volleyball program is very impressive, is a good fit, and is also close to home, friends, and family. TRINITI GBALA is a freshman from St. Charles, MN where she graduated St. Charles High School. Her athletic honor is AllConference, athletic honor is B honor roll, and she keeps her team motivated. Her family includes her mom, Erin, and sister, Nissi. Her major is physical education. Her favorites include the movie Black Widow, rice, volleyball, and the TV show One on One. Fun fact: Triniti was born on 3/3/03 at 3:03! She chose RCTC because it was close to home.
2021 VOLLEYBALL SEASON PROGRAM | PAGE 2
MEET THE YELLOWJACKET VOLLEYBALL TEAM
Triniti Gbala
Jennifer Albrecht
Eliana Hammann
JENNIFER ALBRECHT is a freshman from Houston, MN where she graduated from Houston High School as a four-year varsity letter winner, 2018 All-Conference, 2019 All-Conference, 2018 top defensive player, 2018 All-Around Player of The Year, 2019 All-Around Player of The Year, junior and senior year All-Conference, junior, and senior year Top Defensive Player, and junior and senior year All-Around Player of The Year. Her academic honors are Academic All-Conference 2016, 2017, 2019. She was team captain sophomore, junior, and senior year. Her family includes mom, Laurie, dad, Paul, and four sisters, Becky, Katie, Laura, and Sarah. Her major is nursing. She loves any old Disney movies (the new stuff is not the same), but Pocahontas is her favorite. Her favorite foods are Cheez-Its and cheese balls. Mario Cart, volleyball and badminton are her favorite games, and Jersey Shore and Grey’s Anatomy are her favorite TV shows. Fun fact: Jennifer wants to own a farm and raise a pack of llamas. She chose RCTC to play volleyball and because of the environment and the philosophy of the program.
Molly Kleist
LilyAnna Thompson Team Manager
LILYANNA THOMPSON is a freshman from Dodge Center, MN where she graduated from Triton High School. Her athletic honors include varsity letters in dance, wrestling, and volleyball. She was an honor roll student. She also won her teams spirit award. Her family members are mom Alicia, stepdad Keith, and siblings Ari, Ryan, and Jesenia. Her major is education. Her favorite movie is Hanna Montana. Her favorite food is pasta. Mario Kart is her favorite game, and Law & Order SVU and All American are her favorite TV shows. A fun fact about LilyAnna is that she is a military kid. Her special talent is NOT having a special talent. She chose RCTC because it’s close to home.
ELIANA HAMMANN is a freshman from Lewiston, MN where she graduated from Lewiston-Altura High School. She was a three-year letter winner, Academic All-Conference and Academic All-State. Her family members are father, John, mother, Holly, and sister, Joelle. Her major is childhood development. Miracle is her favorite movie. Her favorite meal is tater tot hotdish. Her favorite game is Monopoly and America Ninja Warrior is her favorite TV show. Fun fact: Elaina is also a figure skater and has competed at the national level in synchronized swimming. Her special talent is knitting. She picked RCTC because it is known for its Early Childhood Development program and allows her to continue to play volleyball. MOLLY KLEIST is in her third year and from Marion, IA where she graduated from Linn-Mar High School. Spring semester 2020 she was on the President’s List (4.0 GPA). Her family includes her parents, Jenny and Paul, her little sister, Sydney. Her major is radiography. Perks of Being a Wallflower is her favorite movie. Sushi is her favorite food. Her favorite TV show is Vampire Diaries, and dominos is her favorite game. Fun fact: Molly has traveled to France and can speak a little bit of French. Her special talent is the ability to name any Taylor Swift song within 15 seconds. She chose RCTC so she could continue playing volleyball while getting a great education.
#yellowjacketstrong ROCHESTER YELLOWJACKETS | PAGE 3
MEET THE YELLOWJACKET VOLLEYBALL COACH JENNIFER NERISON is in her first year as the Rochester Community and Technical College Head Volleyball Coach. She is a 1995 Kenyon-Wanamingo High School alumna and previous KenyonWanamingo Head Volleyball coach for eight seasons. As the head coach, Nerison's team won two sectional titles and advanced to the state tournament finishing third in the state in 2016. Coach Nerison is a special education teacher at River Bluff Education Center in Red Wing, MN. “I firmly believe that every season can be a successful season by simply staying on course. The desire to win, to get better, and to believe in each other is something that I push all of my athletes to feel in all things that we do. A love for the game and a respect for teammates can make any group of young women reach goals that once seemed impossible."
2019 SEASON STATS Record: 31-4 • 4th Place National Tournament • Region 13A Champions • MCAC Conference Champions • AVCA All-Academic Team
2018 SEASON STATS Record: 24-9 • 3rd Place National Tournament • Region 13A Champions • MCAC Conference Champions • AVCA All-Academic Team • 4th Nationally Ranked (NJCAA Poll)
2017 SEASON STATS Record: 16-15 • 3rd Place – MCAC Conference • Regional Tournament • Sportsmanship Team of the Year
2016 SEASON STATS Record: 15-17 • 3rd Place – MCAC Conference • Regional Tournament
2021 VOLLEYBALL SEASON PROGRAM | PAGE 4
WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL RECORDS INDIVIDUAL – SINGLE MATCH Hitting Terri Fowler................ 914......... 1992............ vs. Hibbing Kills Brianna Atkins............ 34........... 2014............ vs. Ridgewater Setting Assists Darla Erickson............ 61........... 1991............ vs. NDSCS Amberlee Dunagan.... 61........... 2014............ vs. Harper Service Aces Kirsten Springer......... 11........... 1986............ vs. Willmar Traci Robinson........... 11........... 1986............ vs. Itasca Digs Haley Lenz.................. 40........... 2014............ vs. Bismarck Blocks Jenny Fisher............... 13........... 2001............ vs. Bethany Lutheran 10/17/2001 INDIVIDUAL – SEASON TOTAL Hitting Tracy Breuer............... 410......... 1979 Kills Brianna Atkins............ 624......... 2014 Setting Assists Brekkin McCready...... 1362....... 2019 Service Aces Missy Schultz.............. 112......... 1988 Digs Natalie Reinardy........ 586......... 2014 Blocks Terri Fowler................ 142......... 1991 INDIVIDUAL – TWO YEAR TOTAL Hitting Average Tracy Breuer............... 350......... 1979-80 Kills Carrie Rutledge......... 1042....... 2018-19 Setting Assists Brekkin McCready..... 2597....... 2018-19 Service Aces Terri Fowler................ 189......... 1991-92 Digs Haley Lenz.................. 1108....... 2013-14 Blocks Terri Fowler................ 182......... 1991-92 TEAM – SINGLE MATCH Hitting Average Kills Setting Assists Service Aces Digs Blocks
vs. Hibbing................ .535........ 2019 vs. NDSCS.................. 71........... 1991 vs. NDSCS.................. 64........... 1991 vs. Itasca..................... 29........... 1986 vs. Crookston............. 128......... 1987 vs. Winona.................. 38........... 1984
PER GAME AVERAGES (AS OF 1991) One Year Kills..................Brianna Atkins.................. 5.47....... 2014 Setting............Brekkin McCready........... 11.23..... 2018 Service ...........Amy Schuth...................... 0.61....... 2001 Digs.................Haley Lenz........................ 5.7......... 2013 Blocks..............Chelsey Ruppercht.......... 1.65....... 2004
ALL-AMERICANS • Kathy Anderson – 1979 • Andrea Whelan – 1981 • Terri Fowler – 1991, 1992 • Jenni Fisher – 2000 • Rebeccah Fitzgerald – 2008 • Ashley King – 2008 • Marcy Swenson – 2012 (honorable mention) • Taylor Aakre – 2013 • Taylor Aakre – 2013 AVCA All-American • Lindsay Ayers – 2013 • Brianna Atkins – 2014 • Brianna Atkins – 2014 AVCA All-American • Tori Peterson – 2015 • Tori Peterson – 2015 AVCA All-American • Jessica Foster – 2015 (honorable mention) • Ashley Bichel – 2016 • Carrie Rutledge – 2018 (AVCA All-American) • Brekkin McCready – 2019 • Carrie Rutledge – 2019
Two Year Carrie Rutledge.................4.63........... 2018-19 Brekkin McCready.............11.54......... 2018-19 Amy Schuth.......................0.44........... 2000-01 Haley Lenz.........................5.53........... 2013-14 Jennifer Fisher...................0.74........... 2000-01
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