Montezuma’s varsity volleyball team returns some experience and athleticism from last year’s South Iowa Cedar League championship team.
Overall, said Coach Rylie Little, it’s a young team, eager to learn on the fly.
The Bravettes were scheduled to open their regular season on Tuesday, Aug. 25, in a tournament at Albia. That event matches the Bravettes against both large and small school teams and helps Montezuma prepare for the SICL season.
Starting time for the Albia event is 4 p.m.
The Bravettes lost to graduation the 245 kills by Shanae Wetering, a solid front line player in Korrinn Kehoe, and the setting and all-around play of Katie Reynolds.
But, it’s “next girl up” for the Bravettes and they have some people anxious to step to the next level.
Junior Laila Kercheval has made her presence felt already. She’s a 5-7 outside hitter who can jump, and seasoned her skills during the off season.
“She has really stepped up and improved,” Little said. “She went from not dressing for varsity matches last season to a starter this year,” said the coach.
Shiressa Wetering, a 6-0 sophomore, will play middle and outside hitter positions. She’s another who wasn’t a varsity dresser last year. “Blocking is her best asset now,” Little said.
Jadyn Shearer, a 5-6 junior, will play middle or right side hitter.
Coral Lowry, a 5-6 junior, is a right side hitter. “She’s left handed and a strong hitter,” Little said. “She is recovered from a post-season surgery last season. She’s a good passer and a strong all-around player.”
Izzy Roorda is a 5-7 junior who played for a traveling team during the off-season. “She is a tremendous server,” Little said.
Little said 5-11 senior Kallie Robison “has stepped up as a team leader. She is smart in her placements and decision making,” the coach said.
Setter candidates are sophomore Ava Pargeon, 5-5, and senior Kalynn Wanders, 5-4. “We’re thinking about using a 6-2 offense,” Little said. “It has been a while since a Montezuma team has run that.”
Roorda had 162 kills as a sophomore on the varsity. She also had 103 digs and seven blocks.
Robison had 80 kills, 19 blocks and 23 digs.
Lowry had 54 kills and 15 digs.
Serving was a strength for Montezuma last season. Little said it could be again.
Defensively, the Bravettes “will be small, but quick,” Little said. Defensive specialists are junior Madison Van Zee, 5-5, and sophomore Elizabth De Jong, 5-1. “Both are accurate passers,” said the coach, noting that several Bravettes will play all the way around the rotation.
“Our camaraderie is second to none,” Little said. “We’re happy on the court and that’s our biggest asset. Volleyball is too quick of a sport to dwell on things. If you do, you’ll find youself 10 points behind.”
Others vying for court time are Chloe Snook, a 5-4 freshman at defensive specialist and setter, and Kylee Larmore, a 5-9 sophomore at right side and outside hitter.
NEW ASSISTANTS – Olivia Smith and Tiffany Kercheval are Little’s new assistant coaches this year. Kercheval is a former varsity head coach for Montezuma.
The Bravettes
Positions the girls are playing are as follows:
OH – Outside hitter (left)
RS – right side hitter
MH – middle hitter
S – setter
DS – defensive specialist
On the roster below, uniform numbers are at left:
1 – Coral Lowry, Jr. RS, 5’6”
5 – Ava Pargeon, So., S, 5-5
9 – Chloe Snook, Fr., DS/S, 5-4
11 – Jadyn Sharer, Jr. RS/M, 5-6
12 – Kalynn Wanders, Sr., S, 5-4
14 – Kylee Larmore, So., RS/OH, 5-8
15 – Elizabeth De Jong, So., DS, 5-1
16 – Madison Van Zee, Jr., DS, 5-5
18 – Kallie Robison, Sr., MH, 6-0
19 – Shiressa Wetering, So., MH, 6-0
23 – Izzy Roorda, Jr., OH, 5-7
24 – Laila Kercheval, Jr., OH/MH, 5-7