LITTLE RIVER SPIKERS LOOK FOR REPEAT STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

By Staff

LITTLE RIVER – Last season was nearly magical for the Little River volleyball team as they won nearly every tournament they played, finished 40-4 and brought home the Class 1A Division I State Championship.

Lady Redskin head coach Kim Rolfs returns for her seventh season and has recorded a sparkling 159-72 record in her first six seasons that include going 75-10 in 2021 and 2022. Over a total of 15 seasons as a head coach of volleyball, Rolfs has a combined record of 369-151 giving her an average season mark of 25-10.

Among the tournaments they won in 2022 were both the Centre Tournament and Canton/Galva Tournament as well as the post-season league tournament and sub-state.

Assisted by Jennifer Mantz and Taryn Lee, Rolfs returns her entire starting lineup except for one, Mea DeBaere, the Lady Redskin starting Libero for the past four seasons.

“Mea (DeBaere) was a great leader on and off the floor,” noted coach Rolfs. “W will definitely miss that, but those who return are working to fulfill that leadership role, and this will have to be a must for our team to be successful.”

The cupboard is not at all bare though as Little River will return eight solid players who led the team to the state championship as juniors and freshman.

Included in that bunch is the Class 1A Division I Player-of-the-Year in senior Alaina Eck, who along with seniors Aubrey Olander and Ashley Stephenson earned both all-league and all-state honors in 2022. Senior Kate Ellwood and sophomore Havanna Olander also earned all-league honors last season. Then you add in senior Kami Grasser and sophomores Lucy Wright and Adelynne Strecker to give the Lady Redskins a very formidable lineup from the opening serves of the season. A further look into coach Rolf’s thoughts about her returnees can be found later in this season preview.

The coaching staff are also high on three newcomers with sophomores Evie Look and Arika Feldman plus freshman Saelyn Raleigh.

In looking ahead to the 2023 season, coach Rolfs pointed out, “It will be one of our toughest seasons. I am anticipating everyone will give us their best game as who does not want to beat the defending state champions.”

While looking toward players stepping up in leadership roles and the youngsters providing more prominent playing time, Rolfs added, “We have already had conversations about being mentally ready for every game. We will continue to work on our weaknesses and find ways to elevate our game.”

The coaches all agreed that team chemistry will always be a work in progress and fulfilling a few roles will be the first on a list to cross off.

Coach Rolfs concluded her 2023 season reflections by saying, “Expectations for our team is never to practice or play with complacency and to find ways to become a better team, person and to do life better. I hope to continue to see the girls hungry for more and finish by playing our best volleyball.”

Little River will open the 2023 volleyball season in Ellsworth at the Jamboree Invitational on Thursday, August 24.

2023 LADY REDSKIN RETURNEES:

ALAINA ECK – Sr. OH, - Class 1A Division I Player-of-the-Year, State All-Tournament Team, All-League, All-State = Coach Rolfs says, “Lead us in kills and was second on team in digs. Alaina was really focused last year and performed very well and consistently. She did so much for us with hustle play and ability to connect with other setters.” (Key Stats = 346 kills, 321 digs)

AUBREY OLANDER – Sr. MH – State All-Tournament Team, All-League, All-State, second on team in kills and first in blocks. Came around the second half of 2022 season = Coach Rolfs says, “Aubrey really came around in the second half of the season last year. We are expecting some great things from her in 2023.” (Key Stats = 307 kills, 102 blocks).

ASHLEY STEPHENSON – Sr. OPP – State all-tournament team, All-League, All-State. Coach Rolfs says, “Ashley had an outstanding state tournament. She provides yet another weapon on our front line where her ability to play at a fast tempo and with superior athleticism at the net makes our team extremely strong in multiple rotations.” (Key Stat = 162 kills).

KATE ELLWOOD – Sr. Setter – All-League. Coach Rolfs says, “Kate ran half of our offense and really has come a long way since her freshman yar. She takes a lot of pride in creating the best possible set for her hitters and connecting with them. Kate is one of our hardest workers and is going to do what it takes for our team to succeed.” (Key Stat = 398 assists and 170 digs).

KAMI GRASSER – Sr. OH – Led team in ace serves. Coach Rolfs says, “She has shown improvement this summer in her ability to kill the volleyball at a more consistent rate. I am expecting to see Kami play her best volleyball as a senior.” (Key Stats = 126 kills, 62 ace serves, 287 digs).

HAVANNA OLANDER – So. MH – All-League. Coach Rolfs says, “Havanna is a super athlete which helped as she stepped into a crucial role as a freshman and excelled. She really came along in the second half of the season and has proven to be a much better player throughout our summer activities. I anticipate seeing some really remarkable things from her during her sophomore campaign. (Key Stats = 139 kills, 84 blocks).

LUCY WRIGHT – So. OPP – Coach Rolfs says, “Another freshman that filled a huge role last season. Lucy is steady and does her job well and knows the game. While her stats were not that shiny, she provided many key plays for us. When her number was called to make a play, she did. It’s nice to have another girl on the floor with great hands and Lucy has that ability to step in and put the ball where our hitters need it.” (Key Stats = 61 kills, 42 blocks).

ADELYNNE STRECKER – So. L/DS – Coach Rolfs says, “Adelynne is going to be a fun kid to watch! She is a tough kid and has been chomping at the bit to get on the floor. She was able to get enough varsity time as a freshman to come in with confidence and experience to fill the back row position of graduated Mea Debare. Adelynne will have to step up to fill a leadership role. One thing I do know she will do is hustle and make plays that most kids might quit on.”

KEY NEWCOMERS:

EVIE LOOK – So. Setter – Coach Rolfs says, “Evie was our Junior Varsity setter last season and has been working to improve her game. Look has the potential to become a great setter and we will see her development as the season progress.”

ARIKA FELDMAN – So. MB/OPP/Setter – Coach Rolfs says, “Arika shows improvement. She is long and can step into several roles and has worked to improve her game. Arika is a kid that will show improvement as the season progresses.”

SAEYLN RALEIGH – Fr. MH/OPP/Setter – Coach Rolfs says, “Saelyn is showing a lot of promise with her ability to play multiple roles. She has come in during the summer with tons of off-season experience and has proven to help our team.

2023 LADY REDSKIN VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE:

Thursday, August 24 – Host Jamboree Invitational (with Ellsworth, Ellinwood, Lyons)

Tuesday, August 29 – At Larned Quad

Tuesday, September 5 – At Herington Mod Quad (with Herington, Solomon, Wakefield)

Wednesday, September 6 – At Centre Invitational

Tuesday, September 12 – At Herington

Thursday, September 14 – At Ellsworth

Tuesday, September 19 – At Rural Vista Mod Quad (with Herington, Peabody/Burns, Rural Vista)

Saturday, September 23 – At Lyons Invitational

Tuesday, September 26 – At Elyria Christian Mod Quad (with Herington, Elyria Christian, Centre)

Saturday, September 30 – At Canton/Galva Invitational

Tuesday, October 3 – Host Mod Quad (with Herington, Goessel, Canton/Galva)

Thursday, October 5 – Host Inman

Tuesday, October10 – Host Mod Quad (with Goessel, St. Xavier, Wichita Central Christian)

Saturday, October 14 – At Wheat State League Meet hosted by Peabody/Burns

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