Sting look to stand tall

YME’s Aria Peters (13) lobs the ball toward the net during a Camden Conference match against CMCS on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021 at Prinsburg.

YME focused on improving from 10-15 record in ‘21

BY JOE BROWN | West Central Tribune

GRANITE FALLS — With a steady core of players back in the fray, new head coach Alexis Peters hopes to boost the Yellow Medicine East Sting in the highly competitive Camden Conference South Division.

Peters takes over for YME from former head coach Alyssa Johnson. In 2021, the Sting went 10-15 overall and 4-7 in the Camden.

“I believe one of our big strengths will be our team chemistry and experience,” Peters said. “We have a solid group of upperclassmen that have been playing together for many years. Most of our upperclassmen have two-plus years of experience playing at the varsity level.”

Among the top returners is 6-foot senior middle hitter Ruby Bones. She was YME’s team MVP last year while being named All-Camden honorable mention and Academic All-Conference.

“As a middle last season, she had a .300 hitting efficiency, which is impressive for a middle,” Peters said of Bones. “She is also aggressive defensively at the net, coming in with 105 ace blocks last season. She is a smart player and finds ways to score for our team.”

YME’s Ruby Bones looks to tap the ball over the net during a Camden Conference match against CMCS on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021 at Prinsburg.

Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

Three other seniors are back for the Sting. They include setter Aria Peters, outside hitter Hannah Stark and defensive specialist Kayla Nordaune. Another senior, Gracie Kleven, will look to help YME’s attack as an outside hitter.

In the back row, junior Kiara Sakry returns at libero. Sakry finished with 247 digs, tops among returning players.

“Kiara’s been our starting libero for the past two seasons,” Alexis Peters said. “She has such a calm demeanor in the back row, reads the ball so well and makes those big defensive plays for us. I am excited to see what she will bring to the team this season.”

The Sting opened the 2022 season on the road against Wabasso on Thursday, Aug. 25. The home opener was Tuesday, Aug. 30 against Paynesville.

“With (our team’s) experience at this level, and being able to read the ball so well and knowing what different shots will score for us at the right time is going to be huge for us,” said Alexis Peters.