Central College volleyball season outlook‏

Central College

Outlook

After three seasons on the sidelines, the Central College volleyball team is ready to break back into the national scene.

It’s not unfamiliar territory for this championship-rich program. Central has 17 Iowa Conference titles, 11 NCAA Division III tournament berths and three national trophies.

And although the Dutch have posted 20 consecutive winning seasons, they haven’t performed on the national stage since 2007, when this year’s seniors were freshmen.

“The upperclassman leadership has the potential to be remarkable,” coach Kent Clayberg said. “We will go where they lead us.”

Five seniors with extensive starting experience are part of a group of nine letterwinners returning from last season’s 20-13 club that finished tied for third in the Iowa Conference.

At least one starter is back at every position, but an incoming class of 24 will provide skilled depth and fierce competition for a spot on the court.

“We’re bringing in what looks to be an extraordinarily talented crop of newcomers,” Clayberg said. “They’re quality players that will make us immediately better and provide a foundation to build Central back into a national power.”

Clayberg says everyone is on the same page in taking the Dutch to the next level.

“We have a large group but we have a very clear vision of the team, players and coaches we want to be,” he said. “We’re a unified group with everyone pulling in the same direction.”

The Dutch will look for everyone to contribute.

“All of the players are significant,” Clayberg said. “How well we define and embrace our roles on the team will go a long way in setting the team free to be exceptional.”

Setter

Scheming the Dutch offense is three-year starter and two-year team co-captain Maggie Snyder. The senior logged 979 assists last season and ranks fourth on Central’s career assist leaderboard (2,518). Proving her versatility, Snyder was the team’s second-best dig leader (363).

“Maggie is a passionate competitor that never holds back,” Clayberg said. “She is insightful and intelligent. Her courage will be key to our season.”

The Dutch will need to find a backup. A recurring injury ended the career of last year’s No. 2 setter, Hannah Worrall.

Junior Emily Huegel shows promise. A setter in high school but a defensive specialist as a freshman, Huegel moved back into the setter position last spring.

“Emily sets a nice, consistent ball,” Clayberg said. “She is very smart, well-respected by her peers and has the leadership qualities and poise to effectively run the floor.”

A strong freshman class of setters will add immediate depth and also push for playing time.

Outside hitter

The power position is shaping up to be the strength of this year’s squad.

“We have a very dynamic and athletic group of outside hitters,” he said. “We ask a lot from these players—they basically need to be good at everything.”

Experienced two-year starter Amy Golly leads the group. She tallied 176 kills with a .156 hitting percentage while posting 227 digs last season. She was the team’s second best ace server (22) and had 43 blocks.

“Amy has the size, explosiveness and ball-control to take over a match both offensively and defensively,” Clayberg said. “She spent the spring semester studying overseas but has jumped back into summer training and will be ready to light it up for her senior campaign.”

Team co-captain Tess Reinig looks to make significant noise her junior season. Reinig compiled a .171 hitting percentage last year with 202 kills. She also had 15 ace serves, 178 digs and 31 blocks.

“Tess was a key reserve last year but her development and aggressive play elevated her to a starting role late in the season,” Clayberg said. “She plays fearlessly and plays to win. We need to have her on the floor.”

Sophomore Natalie Mason could have a breakthrough year.

“Natalie wowed us in the preseason last fall as a freshman but had her rookie campaign derailed by injury,” Clayberg said. “When healthy, she is an overwhelmingly athletic and mobile hitter that can attack from anywhere on the floor.”

Junior Nikki Akers is a promising backup.

“Nikki essentially experienced her rookie season last fall after transferring in as a sophomore,” Clayberg said. “She’s been a dedicated worker in the off-season.”

Middle hitter

Senior co-captain Kiley Meyers emerged as one of the most efficient hitters in the league last year. The Iowa Conference honorable mention pick had a team-high 241 kills and ranked third in the league with a .307 hitting percentage. She also posted a team-best 123 blocks.

“Kiley is a quick, explosive athlete that accelerates to the ball very quickly as both an attacker and a blocker,” Clayberg said. “She knows how to get a kill and she proved to be a consistent obstacle to opposing hitters.”

Junior Ashley Pederson has put in the work to contend for a starting spot.

“Ashley trained with the varsity last year and has fervently committed to her training with the intent of moving into the starting lineup,” Clayberg said. “She has the tools and work ethic to be a force.”

After missing her freshmen season due to a knee injury, junior Holly Osborn made huge strides as a sophomore on the junior varsity last year. She will also press for action.

“Her performance this spring really caught everyone’s attention,” Clayberg said. “Holly is long-framed and hits a heavy ball. She’s getting better every day.”

Right-side hitter

The position of right-side hitter has the most question marks. The graduation of second-team all-conference honoree Ashley Ellingson, last year’s team MVP, leaves a vast hole. But the Dutch have two returners eager to make a splash.

Two-year co-captain Caitlin Kouba has experience in the position, moving to the right side late last season when the squad battled injuries. The senior had 207 kills with a .167 hitting percentage and also recorded 257 digs.

“Caitlin can quickly turn this into a position of strength for us with her diligent work ethic and competitiveness,” Clayberg said. “She showed signs of being a formidable weapon on the right side last year, and she’s a very physical and mobile athlete.”

Junior Sam Retz has potential to make a major impact.

“It’s time to let Sam loose to get after it,” Clayberg said. “She is an explosive athlete and converted setter. Her ability to run the full offense as a hitter makes her a valuable tactical weapon.”

Defensive specialist

The Dutch led the conference in digs last season, averaging 19.14 per set, but graduated one of its defensive leaders in Nichole McGrew.

“Although we lose a rock in Nichole, we feel fortunate to have a wealth of talent waiting for their turn to step in and lead,” Clayberg said.

The back line is in capable hands with two-time all-conference pick Chelsea Grieger leading the way. A first-team selection in 2010, Grieger led the league in digs per set (5.40) and was named the conference libero/defensive specialist of the week three times. Grieger logged a team-best 669 digs last season and ranks fourth in Central’s record book in career digs (1,629). She also posted a team-best 33 ace serves.

“Chelsea is one of the pre-eminent liberos in the country,” Clayberg said. “She’ll become our all-time leader with dig totals similar to her last two seasons.”

Senior Liz Sanders showed promise as the third varsity defensive specialist last season.

“Liz filled the on-the-spot role last season and performed well when given the opportunity,” Clayberg said. “She trains very hard and very consistently. She could move into a starting position seamlessly.”

Junior Lindsey Von Gillern spent part of her sophomore season training with the varsity and could make the move permanent this fall.

“Lindsey is a joyful personality, a hard worker and a passionate competitor,” Clayberg said. “She’s really developed as a player in the last year and could play a major role in our defense and reception this fall.”

Junior Morgan Sharp has made steady improvements over the last two seasons and will make an immediate push for varsity playing time.

“Morgan is a phenomenal athlete that has made great strides in her court awareness and ball control,” Clayberg said. “She has come into her own as a competitor and as a technician.”

The staff

Former Central volleyball players Traci Dyer and Katie Whipple return to assist Clayberg in his ninth year as head coach. Dyer will serve as a third-year varsity assistant and former league MVP Whipple is in her second season as a junior-varsity assistant.

“They know Central volleyball inside and out,” Clayberg said. “Their knowledge of the game and passion for the program are absolutely invaluable to us. They are happy spirits and committed servants to the team.”

Tara Kohlhaas begins her first season as the head junior varsity coach, replacing two-year coach Rhea Softley.

“We suffered a blow in losing Rhea to a family move to the state of Washington,” Clayberg said. “But we’re fortunate to bring in Tara who has experience working with multiple positions at both the high school and collegiate level. She has immediately embraced the culture of Central volleyball and I believe she will be a great teacher, mentor and role model.”

Senior Shayna Jacobs is back for her second season as a student assistant.

“Shayna is a great communicator and has the faith and confidence of the players and coaches alike,” Clayberg said.

The schedule

According to Clayberg, the Iowa Conference race is wide open.

“The league may be even more balanced than last year, when we entered the last week of conference play with the potential for a five-way tie for second place,” Clayberg said.

Loras claimed the 2010 title while Cornell took runner-up honors. Simpson and Wartburg tied Central for third.

“Loras lost their big middle hitter, but they have some outstanding young talent returning,” Clayberg said. “Cornell returns the league’s freshman of the year, Luther has some quality young talent and Wartburg has everybody back from a team that was coming into its own late in the season.

“Making any predictions on this year’s order of finish is pure folly,” Clayberg said.

In non-conference action the Dutch will meet traditionally powerful Wis.-Oshkosh and Wis.-Platteville, two schools that advanced to the NCAA tournament last season. Clayberg also highlighted good competition at the Univ. of Chicago (Ill.) tournament Sept. 23-24.

But for the Dutch, it doesn’t matter who’s on the other side of the net.

“We’re going to define our competitive context through what we do and not through what our opponent is capable of,” Clayberg said. “We’re going to have a consistent approach, whether it’s practice or a game, and find the daily motivation to be excellent.”