Dawson-Boyd Blackjacks

Dawson-Boyd hitter Kate Dahl elevates for a kill attempt against Renville County West during a Camden Conference match on Oct. 3, 2019 from Renville County West High School. Patrick Bernadeau / West Central Tribune

Experience returns for young Blackjacks

Dawson-Boyd, led by sophomore Ayiana Hastad, has five starters back

BY TOM ELLIOTT | West Central Tribune

DAWSON — Five returning starters back give Dawson-Boyd head coach Andrea Enger hope that 2021 will be better than 2020.

The 2020 Blackjacks went 1-9. This year’s squad is still young. Defensive specialist Tarah Johnson is the only senior returning starter.

Also back are juniors Kate Dahl and Chelsie Husby. Dahl is an outside hitter. Husby is the Blackjacks’ setter.

Sophomore left/middle hitter Ayiana Hastad and ninth-grader Bailey Bothun, a left/middle hitter, also returns.

Enger, in her fourth year as Dawson-Boyd’s head coach, believes Hastad has potential.

“Ayiana is a player to watch because she is a young, talented player who can play front and back row,” Enger said. “Last year as a ninth-grader, she led the team in kills (99) and was close to leading the team in digs (107) as well. “Ayianna works hard on and off the court and is a very encouraging player to her teammates.”

Enger’s assistants will be Hailey Gritmacher and Rhonda Olson-Nelson. The Blackjacks open the 2021 season on Thursday, Aug. 26 at Ortonville. They then have their home-opener Tuesday, Aug. 31 against the Murray County Central Rebels.