March 28, 2024

Hawk volleyball undergoes rebuild for 2015 and beyond

Lynnville-Sully High’s volleyball team is rebuilding after losing several key players to graduation. That doesn’t mean the Hawks will not be competitive on the volleyball court in 2015.

“We’re rebuilding the team with our current seniors and juniors and bring up sophomores to fill the void,” Fifth-year head coach Heather James said. “It will take some work to bring a new team together with our different age groups, but with time, we hope they can work together to build this year for an even stronger program next year.”

The Hawks will be young with just two seniors in outside hitter Shelby Foster and defensive specialist Kristen Van Der Wilt. James said the two seniors are positive leaders for the team.

Junior outside hitter Brenna Lanser and junior setter Jelissa Rozendaal round out the returning letter winners. The four provide the Hawks with a solid core to build around. Juniors Makenzy Rozendaal, Allison Renaud and Olivia Ritter and sophomore Skyler Young are expected to make the transition to varsity action.

Lanser tied for first on the team in kills last year with 141. She also had two block assists at the net. Lanser was credited with 91 digs. She was an 84 percent server with 12 service aces.

Foster put down 20 kills and had one solo block and five assisted blocks at the net. She had 34 digs. Van Der Wilt came up with 166 digs working the back row a year ago. Jelissa Rozendaal was credited with 112 set assists, which was second on the team, and had 77 digs.

Van Der Wilt and Foster were 97 percent servers for the team a year ago. Van Der Wilt went 142-of-147 at the service line with 14 aces while Foster was 30-of-31 on serves. Jelissa Rozendaal was 62-of-66 serving for 94 percent and had 10 ace serves.

The Hawks were 13-10 overall last year. They were 7-3 in South Iowa Cedar League action, tying for third with Sigourney.

Lynnville-Sully’s young team plays its first three matches at home this season, starting Tuesday against Collins-Maxwell/Baxter.