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Blue Dragon volleyball strong this year
By By Alica P. Thiele
Challenger reporter
Challenger reporter
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EmailAugust 24. 2010 2:24PM
The Garretson volleyball team returns most of its players this year, and coach Jeff Ganschow is looking for a good show this season.
“We’re really looking for a big year,” he said.
The team ended last year in the first round of district play in a loss to Sioux Falls Christian. Last year’s regular season was very competitive. “There were a lot of close matches,” Ganschow said.
The Big East Conference is typically a competitive conference, he said. “Traditionally, Parker, Chester and Sioux Valley are excellent ball clubs, and there’s a lot of other good teams in there too,” he said, “and we think we’re going to be right in there with them.”
The girls start their competitions Aug. 28 in Canton and will host eight times during the season.
The team lost only one player to graduation last year and returns to the court with eight seniors this fall, Ganschow said.
Senior Claire Karli said she likes volleyball because of its team nature and because it’s fun. She’s been in the sport five years.
She said her team’s strength is the front row that features strong hitters.
Ganschow said the team always focuses on defense as well. “But with our returning players, we feel we can do more on the offensive end, adding different schemes, so we’re going to be adding those in. We’re starting from a very good base from last year, so we’re allowed to do a little (deeper skills),” he said.
The team’s setter, Morgan Ellefson, is a returning All-Conference player. Karli and Kelbi Koch are returning honorable mention All-Conference players. All three are seniors.
This is Ganschow’s fourth year as Garretson’s head coach, his ninth year overall. He is assisted by Ashlie Jacobs.
“I think we can do some big things,” Ganschow said. “We’ve kind of set our goals high and hope to reach them.”
“We’re really looking for a big year,” he said.
The team ended last year in the first round of district play in a loss to Sioux Falls Christian. Last year’s regular season was very competitive. “There were a lot of close matches,” Ganschow said.
The Big East Conference is typically a competitive conference, he said. “Traditionally, Parker, Chester and Sioux Valley are excellent ball clubs, and there’s a lot of other good teams in there too,” he said, “and we think we’re going to be right in there with them.”
The girls start their competitions Aug. 28 in Canton and will host eight times during the season.
The team lost only one player to graduation last year and returns to the court with eight seniors this fall, Ganschow said.
Senior Claire Karli said she likes volleyball because of its team nature and because it’s fun. She’s been in the sport five years.
She said her team’s strength is the front row that features strong hitters.
Ganschow said the team always focuses on defense as well. “But with our returning players, we feel we can do more on the offensive end, adding different schemes, so we’re going to be adding those in. We’re starting from a very good base from last year, so we’re allowed to do a little (deeper skills),” he said.
The team’s setter, Morgan Ellefson, is a returning All-Conference player. Karli and Kelbi Koch are returning honorable mention All-Conference players. All three are seniors.
This is Ganschow’s fourth year as Garretson’s head coach, his ninth year overall. He is assisted by Ashlie Jacobs.
“I think we can do some big things,” Ganschow said. “We’ve kind of set our goals high and hope to reach them.”
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Members of the 2010 Blue Dragons volleyball team are from left, row one: Jesika Benson, Koty Matthiesen, Claire Karli, Jennie Hegge and Briana Bottleberghe; row two: Chayce Brinkman, Megan Johnson, Baylee Johnson, Morgan Ellefson, Stephanie Brinkman, Mo Irvine and Sadie Hagemeyer; row three: Kendra Johnson, Anna Grimsrud, Kelbi Koch, Aryn Hollaren, Baylee Scott and Katie Fiegen; row four: Haley Edmundson, Kim Wieland, Miranda Borstad, Lindsey Fiegen, Cheyenne Edmundson and Teila Carnicle. Not pictured: Sam Duncan. Jeff Ganschow coaches volleyball at Garretson. Photo by Alica P. Thiele |  |
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