Hines
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This exposure to the activity started a lifelong love that quickly passed to his two daughters, Kaitlyn and Ava, who grew up visiting their father at Albany volleyball practices. The Hines family even played together in their yard as a pastime.
“It was very organic,” said Brian, who has coached the Huskies for 27 seasons, including 11 as head coach. “The girls really loved being around the game when they were little … they always had some fun going to tournaments and games.”
Eventually, Kaitlyn and Ava suited up themselves to play the sport, with Ava first participating in competitive volleyball as part of the fifth-grade Avon JO team. She also gained experience as a part of Acceleration Volleyball, a club program based out of St. Cloud.
“With that perspective, I could just be there and support her and support the team,” Brian said. “That really helped her as well, because she’s never lost love for the game. Sometimes, we as parents can put too much pressure on kids, and then they end up not loving it anymore. She loves to play and go and watch games and see other players. That’s what I appreciate the most.”
Volleyball is at the heart of what both Brian and Ava are about, even away from the court. Alongside their trips to the state tournament, they have bonded as father and daughter
including
through watching collegiate volleyball matches, particularly ones involving the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers.
A core moment came in 2018, when Brian surprised his family with tickets to the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the Target Center in Minneapolis.
“That’s a memory of mine I’ll never forget,” Ava said.
By the time Ava emerged as a contributor for the varsity Huskies as a sophomore, she was ready for that level. After all, she was accustomed to
spending nights with her father watching film and picking out an opponent’s tendencies while finding different ways to improve the Albany program. These film and match reviews helped her develop an analytical approach to the sport in a way similar to Brian’s.
“Growing up with him, playing with him, I’ve learned a few things on the court,” Ava said. “I can read people really well. We just click in that department.”
Fast forward two years in the future, and Ava plays
an essential role as one of the primary defensive contributors and servers for a Huskies team seeded first in the upcoming Class AA state tournament. As much as playing under her father is an exciting situation, she has also achieved success behind close-knitted relationships formed with her Huskies teammates.
“At the end of it all, I could ask Ava and the seniors, ‘What were the scores of this game?’ and they’re not going to remember,” Brian said. “The fun times, the times we worked
really hard and set goals and achieved great things, those are the things they’ll remember when it’s all said and done.”
When Brian and Ava and the Huskies hit the floor to start their state run against New London-Spicer at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, they will be playing for more than themselves and the Purple Pride community. They will be doing so for Kaitlyn, who missed time due to injuries and who was a member of an 8-0 Albany team that won every set to begin the 2020 season. However, that squad never got a chance to showcase their talents at the state level, as the campaign was canceled early due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Seeing her in the stands during the moment of winning the section finals brought many emotions to me and my heart,” Ava said of Kaitlyn. “I play this game for her. Because she missed out on so many years, it feels like she’s on the court with me.”
As Ava prepares to end her career under the bright lights of the “X,” she knows she will have the backing and everlasting support of her family from all sides: Brian from the sidelines and Kaitlyn and her mother, Bobbi, from the crowd. After all, the Hines family enjoys a good time at the volleyball court.
“For Ava to achieve it and for our team to achieve it is so rewarding for our family,” Brian said. “Volleyball is our life, and we’ve put so much time into it.”
PHOTO BY EVAN MICHEALSON
Albany volleyball head coach Brian Hines celebrates a kill during the Section 6AA championship match Oct. 31 at Sauk Rapids-Rice HIgh School in Sauk Rapids. Hines has coached the Huskies for the last 27 seasons,
11 as head coach.
Triumphant
12TH GRADERS
The Albany Huskies volleyball team is led by a strong core of 10 seniors, all of whom provide outstanding leadership to the program. Ahead of Albany’s upcoming appearance in the Minnesota State High School League Class AA Girls Volleyball State Tournament, Star Publications asked each senior three questions for a Q&A. These are their responses.
When the Huskies won the section championship, who were you most happy for, and why? Every single one of my teammates. Each and every one of them has put in incredible amounts of hard work and effort over the course of these past few months. These girls have showed up every single day and given everything they had to give. was extremely happy for this team when we won, because we all earned it.
When on the court playing, what gives you the most satisfaction and the most displeasure? It is the teamwork and connection from our team that brings me the most satisfaction, when we are truly working for each other as a unit, not just ourselves. What brings me the most displeasure is when can sense a teammate beating themselves up or getting down on themselves. It is hard to witness such amazing athletes being too hard on themselves, and it showcases the negative aspects sports can carry.
What do you think has been key to the team’s success? Our team chemistry. We have very talented girls and we work hard, but it is the trust we have in each other and the ways in which we support each other brings us the most success. We celebrate each other, boost each other up and encourage one another on and off the court, and it allows us to achieve great things. also believe the support and trust from our coaches and families fosters a great environment, which allows us to excel.
When the Huskies won the section championship, who were you most happy for, and why? was most happy for every single person on the team; this includes our coaches, managers and players. The effort everyone gives every day is incredible. They all deserve this special win.
When on the court playing, what gives you the most satisfaction and the most displeasure? have the most satisfaction when one of my teammates has huge success. Whether it’s a kill, dig, set or serve receive pass, will always cheer for them. find displeasure when I know I am not performing my best or if am not being loud enough for my teammates. When am feeling displeasure, try communicating with my teammates more or focusing on what am doing wrong playing-wise so can perform at my best.
What do you think has been key to the team’s success? We all trust each other and put in the work every day that leads to our team’s success. We’re constantly in the weight room, strengthening our bodies and doing everything we can in practice to prepare for our games. When we have time outside of practice and school, we participate in team bonding, which helps our bond not only as a team, but as a family.
When the Huskies won the section championship, who were you most happy for, and why? Our returning players from last year. The feeling of defeat from last year’s section final lurked in the back of our minds all day, so to overcome that was amazing.
When on the court playing, what gives you the most satisfaction and the most displeasure? I get the most satisfaction from big blocks. They bring a whole new energy to the game. Similarly, feel the most displeasure when the other team uses my block against me.
What do you think has been key to the team’s success? Our friendship off the court. We spend so much time together off the court at team bonding and other events that everyone on the team is friends. Our friendships help support our connection on the court.
When the Huskies won the section championship, who were you most happy for, and why? When the last point ball hit the ground, was happy for everyone on the team. Everyone has worked hard to earn this achievement, being proven by winning the section championship.
When on the court playing, what gives you the most satisfaction and the most displeasure? Watching that hard ball get dug up is one of the most satisfactory things, especially when the fans and team get excited, pumping up the team. The most displeasing is losing a point after a hard rally, knowing everyone put their all into it.
What do you think has been key to the team’s success? Trust and confidence. Throughout all of our games, trusting and helping each other has brought us together to work hard and play our game. We all work for one another, playing our role on the court.
When the Huskies won the section championship, who were you most happy for, and why? I was most happy for the team and also the community. Last year, we were so close to winning, and it meant so much to win the championship this year.
When on the court playing, what gives you the most satisfaction and the most displeasure? The thing that gives me the most satisfaction is getting an ace block, because I’m underestimated with my size. The most displeasure is losing the point in a long rally we put a lot of effort into.
What do you think has been key to the team’s success? Focusing on the game ahead of us and not what we were hoping for in the future. WE were expected to win, but we couldn’t look at it that way. Another part of our success was having a great squad to practice against during our practices. Our second string of girls could easily be another varsity team, so that has helped us push both the JV and varsity teams to success.
When the Huskies won the section championship, who were you most happy for, and why? The team’s success after a season of hard work and dedication.
When on the court playing, what gives you the most satisfaction and the most displeasure? It is most satisfying when the team is clicking and we are all playing as one. Not only does this include the players on the court, but also the reserves, managers and coaches on the bench.
What do you think has been key to the team’s success? We are the true definition of a team. Both on the court and off the court, we’re best friends that value each other more than ourselves.
When the Huskies won the section championship, who were you most happy for, and why? Everyone, but mostly the seniors. We have been growing together and building as a team since fifth grade and never thought we could make it this far. We have put in countless hours and many years into our gym, building the varsity squad to be what it is today. Seeing all of this hard work pay off for all of us has made me incredibly happy and proud.
When on the court playing, what gives you the most satisfaction and the most displeasure? What gives me the most satisfaction is seeing everyone playing to their full potential. When we are on our game, passing and swinging smart, I feel overjoyed. What gives me displeasure is when we stop talking and trusting each other on the court. When we trust each other and play smart, we do our best, and it makes us all happy.
What do you think has been key to the team’s success? The atmosphere we have. The bonding we do on and off the court benefits us, as we have a close-knit, supportive team around us. We are all friends and get along. We all choose to leave our differences and dram aside when it comes time to play, and we are stronger from it.
When the Huskies won the section championship, who were you most happy for, and why? Our whole team, because each one of us deserved it with all of the hard work we put through the season to get where we are at now.
When on the court playing, what gives you the most satisfaction and the most displeasure? The energy our team brings has given me the most satisfaction, especially after someone has an insane kill, dig or set. I have displeasure when know I’m not performing at my best, which can sometimes affect the team by bringing down the energy.
What do you think has been key to the team’s success? Our confidence we bring to each game. Also, knowing to trust ourselves and our teammates during each game has been very successful to our season.
When the Huskies won the section championship, who were you most happy for, and why? There is no one person that was exceptionally happy for. It was a whole team effort, and couldn’t be more proud and more excited for every single one of the girls on this team.
When on the court playing, what gives you the most satisfaction and the most displeasure? When our team makes a big play such as a big hustle play, stuff block, crazy dig or an awesome kill, that’s when it’s the most fun. It can be disappointing when players miss serves at crucial times.
What do you think has been key to the team’s success? The Albany volleyball team has no shortage of talent. We have players on the bench who are always ready to step up on the court when needed. We all have a super strong connection with each other, not just in volleyball but in our personal lives too.
When the Huskies won the section championship, who were you most happy for, and why? Every single one of us. We all showed up to practice each day and put in the work on the court and in the weight room. We put in a lot of time, so seeing that finally pay off and to do it with some of my best friends and girls I’ve played with since starting the sport, it was amazing.
When on the court playing, what gives you the most satisfaction and the most displeasure? For satisfaction, play back row, so when you get that pass up to the setter and watch it connect with the setter and seeing everyone’s faces and the excitement and the joy for the sport. feel like there’s not much displeasure, because it’s all a big learning experience.
What do you think has been key to the team’s success? The way the team comes together. Everyone working together and making an extreme effort and knowing their roles, that really helps.
Parents: Cory and Catherine Wolf
Parents: Craig and Michelle Klein
Parents Brian and Bobbi Hines
Bryan and Sandy Borstad
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Additionally, she also has accumulated 10.48 set assists per set this fall, breaking Paige Meyer’s program-high total of 10.38 in 2020.
“The No. 1 thing that separates Ellery from other setters is her athleticism,” head coach Brian Hines said. “For her to track down a ball that’s past the 10-foot line — she has the ability to still backset that ball or set it out to the pin, and I’ve seen Ellery set her middles from the 10foot line. That’s unbelievable.”
Only a few days after Ehresmann’s 1,000th set assist came another accomplishment that has rarely happened in Albany volleyball history. Senior defensive specialist Ava Hines grabbed the 100th ace serve of her career at the Sauk Rapids-Rice tournament Sept. 7, becoming only the ninth Huskie ever to ascend to that milestone.
“Throughout my career, I’ve always been a good server, and once the number started racking up for aces, I thought to myself, ‘Maybe I can get this,’” Ava Hines said.
Ava Hines first launched herself into the varsity mix as a sophomore, specifi cally for her serving capabilities. She has been the leader by example for a Huskies team that prides themselves on serving tough.
“If we can serve hard at them and they don’t get a good setup or give us a free ball, our offense is excited for that, because they know they’ll be able to pound the ball,” Coach Hines said. “Serving for our team is very critical, and she (Ava) is one of the best.”
Ava Hines soon got company in that elite list of excellent serves to eclipse the century mark for ace serves, as senior outside Hannah Klein did so in the section championship match as part of a seven-ace showing. That accomplishment was the latest in a dominant career for Klein, who secured her 200th ace block, became the fourth Albany volleyball player to reach 1,000 kills and notched her 500th career dig.
“Hannah is the complete player,” Coach Hines said. “She’s the complete captain. She’s honest, she’s smart, she’s kind and helpful to her teammates. Her work ethic is second to none. It’s so awesome when your best player is one of your hardest workers. That sets the tone for your team and sets the tone for the season.”
It has served Klein well that she has played in multiple positions across her storied career. She started off in Albany as a middle blocker before shifting to outside hitter at the start of her junior season. Even still, her strongest dimension is her hitting, which is buoyed by a strong front row that also includes juniors Kelsey Lobitz and Brynn Panek.
“It’s not just the players achieving these huge numbers; there are other play-
ers on the team that are just as important and doing many things for our team who maybe haven’t been playing as long,” Klein said.
Rounding out Albany’s incredible resume of awe-inspiring feats was Lauer getting her arms underneath her 500th career dig. Certainly, that number had crossed her mind before, but the goals she aspired to involved far more of the journey than the end destination.
“I knew of the goal I wanted to reach,” Lauer said. “I wanted to be the best I could ever be to try and give the rest of my teammates chances to succeed. When I reached 500 digs, it was more of a reward for all the hard work
I’ve put in rather than a goal I set for myself in the beginning
achievements, the Huskies have been gaining memories as an overall team rather than basking in the glow of individual recognition. However, they hope their records serve as motivation for future Albany volleyballers who want to reach an
“I cannot wait for some little girl to surpass 100 aces or 1,000 kills,” Ava Hines said.
“Coaching these girls (at camps) is one thing, but having them succeed is another.”
PHOTO BY EVAN
