Paynesville Bulldogs

Paynesville’s Natalie Riley takes a swing at the ball during a Central Minnesota Conference match against BBE on Oct. 13, 2020 at Brooten. Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

Paynesville has hope for a good season

While the Bulldogs lost some talent, they hope others will step up

BY MATTHEW CURRY | West Central Tribune

PAYNESVILLE — With four returning starters in 2021, the Paynesville Bulldogs are preparing themselves for a season full of competitive volleyball.

The Bulldogs ended last season with a 6-6 record and will look to improve on that in the upcoming season.

The Bulldogs will be without Brynn Johnson, Ashley Osendorff and Brooke Schroeder, three of the team’s top hitters, combining for a total of 169 kills; and Maddi Leyendecker, the team’s assist leader with 198.

Fortunately, Paynesville will be looking to players such as 5-foot-8-inch outside hitting junior Kyleigh Tangen, who led the team with 109 kills, followed by Natalie Riley, a 5-5 senior outside hitter who was second with 87 kills.

Aubrie Stanley, a 5-5 setter, returns for her senior year after ending her junior year second in assists with 148. She led the Bulldogs with 31 service aces.

Emma Stanley, a 5-4 junior, is set to improve on a strong sophomore season, having recorded 61 service points with 11 aces last season.

Paynesville’s Kyleigh Tangen hits the ball up on serve-receive during a Central Minnesota Conference game against BBE on Oct. 13, 2020 at Brooten.

Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

Sophomore hitters Emma Flanders and Maddie Frieler are projected to get more playing time as well as senior middle hitter Kaitlyn Grille.

Nicole Humbert returns for her ninth season as the Bulldogs’ head coach and currently holds a record of 95-85 overall.

Humbert believes her team has the potential to be a tough opponent throughout the 2021 season.

“Our team has a lot of potential and energy coming onto the court this year,” she said. “We are looking forward to playing some fun and intense games this year.”

The Bulldogs begin 2021 on Friday, Aug. 27 at an invitational at Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted.