New London-Spicer Wildcats

New London-Spicer’s Ellary Peterson (7) takes a swing against the Rockford block in a Wright County Conference match on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020 in New London. Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

Wildcats start fresh in 2021

New London-Spicer will have an all-new lineup

BY JOE BROWN | West Central Tribune

NEW LONDON — If New London-Spicer volleyball hopes to stay at the top of the Wright County Conference West Division, it’ll be to be with a new cast of players.

The Wildcats will look to replace their setter, both outside hitters, both right-side hitters, a middle hitter and a libero in 2021.

“We graduated almost our entire starting lineup,” said NLS head coach Erin Schoumaker, who is 93-64 in six seasons with the team. “We will be rebuilding at all positions. We’re currently doing tryouts and hope some of the girls new to varsity volleyball step up and become valuable players.”

Two players from the Wildcats’ rotation in 2020 are back in the fold.

There’s Nyla Johnson, a senior setter. Splitting time with outgoing Emma Hanson, Johnson led NLS with 237 set assists with just eight errors. She also had 117 digs and six ace serves.

Also at the net, junior Ellary Peterson returns to anchor the team’s defense as a middle blocker. Last season, Peterson recorded 32 blocks, ranking third on the team. She also tallied 44 digs, 34 kills and nine ace serves.

NLS is also hoping for a strong return from Olivia Mages. The senior middle hitter is returning from an injury that kept her out of the entire 2020 season.

In 2020, the Wildcats took second in the Wright County West for the second straight year, going 9-3. After finishing 12-15 in 2018, NLS is a combined 36-6.

The 2021 season will get underway for the Wildcats on Aug. 27 when they play a tournament at Albany. The home opener is Aug. 31 against Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta.