Litchfield Dragons

Litchfield sophomore right-side hitter Greta Hansen hits the ball over the net during a Wright County Conference match against Watertown-Mayer on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020 from Litchfield High School. Patrick Bernadeau / West Central Tribune

Lots of holes to fill for Dragons

Litchfield loses five all-conference players from 9-5 team

BY JOE BROWN | West Central Tribune

LITCHFIELD — The Litchfield Dragons will try to replace eight players — including five All-Wright County Conference honorees — when the season gets underway.

Going 9-5 in 2020 for a third-place finish in the Wright County West, Litchfield will try to replace two All-WCC players in outside hitter Sydney McCann and setter Kristin Foley. The team also lost three All-WCC honorable mentions in middle hitter Rachel Foley, libero Kamri Driver and outside hitter Lily Osterberg.

“Losing eight seniors is going to give a lot of players an opportunity to step up and build off of last season’s success,” said Dragons head coach Darin Swenson, who heads into his 17th season with a 229-214 career record.

“We’re looking to use the early season to settle into a new system with the goal of making a deep run in the playoffs.”

Litchfield returns one starter in 5-foot-11 junior right-side hitter Greta Hansen.

“(Greta’s) a tall, athletic lefty on the right side looking to have a breakout year,” Swenson said.

A trio of seniors will look to find their footing with expanded roles in 2021. At middle hitter will be 5-11 Kaity Kusler (25 kills, 8 blocks in 2020). JoJo Schultz, at 5-6, will occupy a spot at outside hitter, and 5-4 defensive specialist Addi Marquardt (101 digs) will patrol the back row.

“Kaity’s an efficient hitter in the middle that hits around blocks well,” Swenson said. “JoJo’s a crafty outside hitter that also helps anchor the defense. Addi’s a scrappy defender that flies around the court.”

Olivia Holmgren, a 5-2 junior, will assume the setter role. Another junior, 6-footer Isabelle Pennertz, will serve as a middle hitter.

“Olivia brings the energy and sets the tone for the game,” Swenson said. “Isabelle’s a powerful attacker that hits a heavy ball.”

The Dragons’ first match is set for Aug. 31 at home against Montevideo.

Litchfield junior middle hitter Kaity Kusler eyes an attack during Monday, Nov. 16, 2020 Wright County Conference match against Watertown-Mayer from Litchfield High School.

Patrick Bernadeau / West Central Tribune