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Tuesday, September 1, 2009
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Improved serving should serve Warriors well HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL Sports Editor Year Two of Jared Diem's tenure as head coach of the Brainerd High School volleyball team begins Tuesday and Diem expects the Warriors to take a step forward this year.
Seven players return from a team that went 0-12 in the Central Lakes Conference, 4-21 overall. Diem believes the Warriors will serve and block better than last year because they have more athleticism and size, although the squad consists of just nine players.
Warriors volleyball
Head coach: Jared Diem, second year
2008 finish: 0-12 CLC, 4-21 overall
Seniors: Alice Widmark, Tess Rahto, Hallsey Olson, MiKinzie Hradsky.
Captains: To be announced.
Assistant coaches: Nathan Eckman, Leigh Ann Snow, Janelle Larson, Jesse Svoboda, Michelle Johnson
Schedule
Sept. 1, at Pequot Lakes 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 8, at Little Falls 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 10, Alexandria 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 15, at Rocori 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 17, St. Cloud Tech 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 22, at Bemidji 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 24, Sartell 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 26, at Hill City Invite 9:30 a.m.
Sept. 29, at Fergus Falls 7:15 p.m.
Oct. 1, St. Cloud Apollo 7:15 p.m.
Oct. 3, at Pierz tournament 9 a.m.
Oct. 5, Pierz 7:15 p.m.
Oct. 6, at Sauk Rapids-Rice 7:15 p.m.
Oct. 8, at Willmar 7:15 p.m.
Oct. 13, Little Falls 7:15 p.m.
Oct. 20, Rocori 7:15 p.m.
Oct. 23, at Alexandria 7:15 p.m.
Oct. 28, Section 8-3A
Oct. 30, Section 8-3A
Nov. 3, Section 8-3A
Nov. 6, Section 8-3A final
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"I never want to put my expectations high at all when it comes to wins and losses," he said. "It's best for me if we do better than I think we can. I make it clear that we're in a rebuilding stage of our program. We're going to be better than we were last year. We have a serving game this year, and the girls are buying into the system, my offense and defense, wholeheartedly.
"These girls have been playing together longer than the seniors we had last year. We're going to have more wins than last year, but we're not going to be beating Alexandria or St. Cloud Tech yet."
Seniors back are Tess Rahto (6-1), Alice Widmark (5-9), Hallsey Olson (5-7) and MiKinzie Hradsky (5-11).
"Tess is just a dominating blocker," Diem said. "She sacrificed herself to play right side so Sydnie Mauch, our sophomore, could play middle, which shows a lot as a senior.
"Hallsey is our libero. She's just all over the place. She makes everyone of my practices better because she's just intense. She's got that attitude you want at every practice, every game. She's always cheering loud.
"Alice is a solid left-side hitter. She's fundamentally strong all the way around. She's a very reliable hitter. What every coach needs is a reliable hitter. She doesn't make many mistakes.
"We changed our defense to a read defense. MiKinzie's the foundation of that defense. There's a lot of pressure on her to perform. She's a fantastic server, almost like having a seventh hitter on the court."
Juniors Allison Mueller (6-0), Carlie Sweet (5-10) and Alanna Hansen (6-0) return.
"Ally is just a stud middle hitter," Diem said. "She's the poster child for physical shape. She's highly coachable, a leader on the court. She holds all the girls accountable.
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Seniors on the Brainerd Warriors volleyball team include MiKinzie Hradsky, Hallsey Olson, Alice Widmark and Tess Rahto. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
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"Carlie is a big power hitter on the left side. She's also a pretty good server. She puts the ball away, she knows how to get rid of it. When we need someone to put the ball down she's the one.
"Alanna is our setter. We will run a 5-1 offense through her. She touches every ball. She's smart, she hates to lose. Those are the kinds of things you want in a setter, someone to lead the team, be a general out there."
Mauch (6-1) and junior Trisha Kramer (5-9) complete the varsity roster.
"Sydnie is 6-1, and she's got a 20-plus-inch vertical leap," Diem said. "She blocks about every ball that comes her way. She puts the ball away. She's a big strong girl and athletic.
"Trisha's just dedication. She's been at every camp, every practice, in the offseason. She's a very good line hitter, which is a rarity in high school volleyball. She's someone who can consistently hit the line, and it's a great shot too."
Diem said he appreciates the parental support he has received as a head coach.
"Some of the girls have been moved to different positions," he said. "They trust I'm doing the right thing for their girls. That's where it all starts.
"They've just been fundraising machines. They've done a lot of work in the offseason to get our program new equipment, new uniforms, get some interest in volleyball.
"My girls are genuine, caring people with great work ethics. They've helped at the soup kitchen this preseason. They do a lot of fundraising, helping people, raking yards, things like that, not just soliciting."
Diem's staff includes Nathan Eckman, Leigh Ann Snow, Janelle Larson, Jesse Svoboda and Michelle Johnson.
"My staff is tops from my fifth grade coach on up," Diem said. "I'm very lucky."
Warriors roster
Seniors: Tess Rahto, Alice Widmark, Hallsey Olson, MiKinzie Hradsky
Juniors: Allison Mueller, Carlie Sweet, Alanna Hansen, Trisha Kramer
Sophomore: Sydnie Mauch
MIKE BIALKA may be reached at mike.bialka@brainerddispatch.com or at 855-5861.
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