Ark Valley News - Hornets still strong despite young squad

Seniors — From left: Alex Sparks, Reagan Fischer, Alora Klinkhammer, Camille Claussen, Emma Meyer.

Hornets still strong despite young squad
By Randy Fisher
Last Updated: August 25, 2017

After graduating five seniors, one thing is certain about this year's Valley Center High School volleyball team: they're young. However, fourth-year coach Holly Rutter doesn't see that as a negative.

“My starters are young, (but) I have some really awesome talent coming up," she said. “I don't want to call this a rebuilding year because I really don't believe that."

Five seniors, three juniors and four sophomores make up the varsity roster. Six of them have yet to set foot on a varsity court.

“We are a pretty young team," Ellie Shank said. “Not a lot of us have varsity experience. At the beginning we might be nervous. Once we get going, it'll be good."

With such a young team, leadership is critical to its success.

“If any two seniors have stepped up to lead, it's been Camille (Claussen) and Reagan (Fischer)," Rutter said. “They're being positive and trying to get everyone together."

Fischer, an outside hitter, may become a six-rotation player as her passing responsibilities increase.

“I'm hoping we can really work hard as a team, and we'll get that team aspect," Fischer said. “If you work hard as a team, you can achieve more than as strong individuals."

“We work well as a team," said Claussen, who will move from the back row to the right side. “We did that last year, but this year we really mesh. Everyone's giving compliments to each other. That's the difference."

A sophomore, Shank asked Rutter if she could also set this year.

“It was a hard decision to make because she was our best passer and hitter last year," Rutter said. “One thing I can say, no matter how bad the pass is, she gets there and fixes it with her set. Even if her passes aren't perfect, she's still making the ball better for the hitter."

Senior Alora Klinkhammer is the only experienced middle. She will also see action on the right side.

“She's doing well so far," Rutter said. “That girl can pass, too, so she might be stepping back and passing a little bit as well."

Senior Alex Sparks and junior Emily Kemp return on the back row. They are expected to continue their battle from last year for the libero jersey.

Rutter has said there will be competition all year for positions, especially setters and passers.

“The good thing is although they're competitive, they still really like each other," she said. “I don't see any kind of drama coming from that. They just push each other harder, which is exactly what you want."

Varsity newcomers Carlie Claussen, a sophomore, and junior Libby Schurle are in the mix as the second setter.

Two other newbies, sophomore Kait McDonald and junior Kristin Coon, are fighting it out on the right side. McDonald can also play middle.

One of the early surprises has been sophomore middle JoHannah Johnston.

“She's improved so much, it's insane," Rutter said. “She can block and swing hard. … We lost big middles, and I was worried about that position. Then she came in and it was awesome. … She's really stepped up."

Jessica Johnson and Kaitlin Woellhof return as assistants. New C-team coach is VCHS alum Amy Doty.

Rutter is excited about the season, which begins Aug. 26 at the annual AVCTL I & II preseason tournament in Hutchinson. That's followed by a home triangular Aug. 29 with Andover Central and Wichita Heights.

“There might be a lot of highs and a lot of lows (this season). I'm trying to stay a little bit more grounded about it," she said. “I think we'll surprise people based on a couple of people improving a ton and the work ethic of this squad."