THE CONCORDIAN, Concordia, Missouri, Wednesday, August 27, 2014 — PAGE 15
Lady Saints will try to regain control of conference by Hobby King SPORTS WRITER Aaron Marsh's Saint Paul Lady Saints volleyball team lost grip of the I-70 Conference title for the first time in his head-coaching career at the school last year. They will be gunning to get back to the top of the heap and have three starters returning to try to do that. The Lady Saints did win a district championship, advancing to the state tournament, losing in the sectional round in three sets to Summit Christian Academy. They wound up 27-10 overall and 6-1 in the I-70 Conference. Marsh — who will be assisted by Amanda Meineka — Andrea Kueck and Esther Mehl, has a roster of 14, including four seniors, two juniors and four sophomores. Gone are starters Hadley Rolf, Bre Vogelsmeier and Alyssa Hamblen. At outside hitter, the Lady Saints return Tiffany Bennett and Gabby Kueck. Rebecca Roepe is a returning starter at middle hitter. Also slated to
play in the middle is Anna Colwell. Shannon Peters is back as the team's starter at setter. Kueck, Meghann Roepe and Caroline Hagan also could fill in opposite Peters in the other weak-side slot, according to Marsh. Emily Aversman is the leading candidate to be the team's libero or defensive specialist. “I feel like we have four very talented offensive players—Tiffany, Becca, Gabby and Shannon,” Marsh said. “These four will no doubt carry us offensively,” Marsh said. Marsh said the Lady Saints have some decent height in the middle to put up a block. “Otherwise, we are focusing a lot on ball control, because if we don't, we know we will not be able to use our very strong hitters,” Marsh said. The Lady Saints should have a strong attack. “Our offense and aggressive serving is what should help us put pressure on teams,” Marsh said. He said a key to the season is how well the Lady Saints play on the back row, limiting opponents' extra
Charles Dunlap/The Concordian
Members of the 2014 Saint Paul Saints volleyball team from left include: (front) Clara Nebel, Meghann Roepe, Emily Aversman, Tiffany Bennett, Gabby Kueck; (back row) Kalae Roeske, Karoline Gjerde, Anna Colwell, Rebecca Roepe, Astri Oeuri and Shannon Peters. chances. He also said a key is “how much intensity we play defense with.”
Marsh said four to eight girls could be added to the roster early in the season.
Experience returns for Lady Tigers by Hobby King SPORTS WRITER A year ago, the Wellington Lady Tigers' volleyball team went finished in the upper half of the I-70 Conference under the direction of Peggy Tuter. Now, Tuter will be entering her fourth year as mentor of the Lady Tigers with the majority of the starters returning. Gone from a year ago are middle hitter Kaitlyn Jones and setter Christa Beckemeyer. The roster numbers 20, including four seniors and two juniors. Top middle hitters for the Lady Tigers are 5 foot-10 inch senior Tori Florence, who also will play some on the right side, and 6 foot-3 inch senior Mikayla Lohsandt. Also in position to claim the starting position at outside hitter is 5 foot-8 inch senior Abbie Thompson, with 5 foot-7 inch junior Morgan Weedman in line to be a starter at outside or middle hitter.
Two players vying for setter are 5 foot-4 inch junior Jaime Ruskey and 5 foot-7 inch sophomore Sammy Blystone. Madison Thornburg, a 5 foot-7 inch senior, will serve as the team's libero. “These were all returning starters from last year,” Tuter, who will be assisted by Derek Twombly, said. “Sammy Blystone had limited time last year but will move into a more permanent position (this season).” Tuter is hopeful the Lady Tigers have a solid season. “My seniors have been with me for four years. We are going to finish what they started as freshHave Have aa great great year! year!
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men,” Tuter said. “We have a very solid starting rotation. The remainder of the team has yet to be determined. We have a very good group of freshmen who have come to the program.” Tuter said fans and opponents could see some new wrinkles. “We are fine-tuning this year and adding some new offense,” she said. “We will try to eliminate the giveaway points and unforced errors.”
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