Eagles eager to get started

CCS’s Sophie Bollig waits on the ball for a serve-receive during practice on Monday, Aug. 23, 2022 at Willmar.

CCS has five seniors to lead it into CAL competition

BY TOM ELLIOTT | West Central Tribune

WILLMAR — As the Community Christian School Eagles embark on the 2022 season, new head coach Rebecca Westin would like you to know a few things.

“First is that we would glorify God on our team,” Westin said, “and that we would play some amazing volleyball.”

There are five seniors on the squad. All are hard workers, receptive to learning. Leading the way is Sophie Bollig. She’s a captain and “very, very talented in all aspects of the game of volleyball,” Westin said.

Setter and co-captain Alaina Holien also is a leader.

“She’s huge on communication,” Westin said. “Communication is one of her biggest aspects. She’s always talking.”

CCS’s Alaina Holien puts up a serve during practice on Monday, Aug. 23, 2022 at Willmar.

Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

Katrina Velyan is a middle hitter/middle blocker and one of the taller players on the team.

Lilly Weber is a back row player and defensive specialist.

“She’s very good at serving as well,” Westin said. “She’s a very solid server.”

Kylee Tollefsrud is a front row player and right-side hitter. She also has good size.

Also on the varsity is junior back row player Anna Lindgren and sophomore outside hitter Gabbie Bollig, Sophie’s sister.

“She’s a huge hustler,” Westin said. “She’s definitely a hard worker and willing to learn.”

Kylee Tollefsrud keeps the ball alive during practice on Monday, Aug. 23, 2022 at Willmar.

Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

Two ninth-graders also will contribute to the varsity: middle hitter Lexi Nelson and setter Grace Strom. Strom will rotate at setter with Holien and also contribute as a right-side hitter.

CCS plays in the Christian Athletic League. While all the schools are small, the geography they cover is enormous. Teams playing volleyball are: Cambridge Christian, the Rochester Area Home School Defenders, the South Metro Huskies, Valley

Christian School of St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, St. Cloud Christian, Faith Christian of Foreston, Immanuel Lutheran of Mankato and Hope Christian Academy of St. Paul Park.

“We definitely will come against some tough opponents for sure,” Westin said.

Westin is in her second year with the program. She coached the junior high team last year. She looks forward to coaching the varsity team, which she said is loaded with players good attitudes who are eager to learn.