Look for Clear Lake volleyball team to make significant strides in the 2015 season

[caption id="attachment_12432" align="alignleft" width="270"]
2015 Clear Lake Varsity Volleyball Team
Members of the Clear Lake varsity volleyball team include front row (L-R): Emilie Jandebeur, Kiersten Baalson, Chloe Mueller, Emily Snelling, Jenna Wilkinson, Reagan Brackey, Jessica Faber, Carson Frahm. Back row (L-R): Rachel Niemi, Maddie Davis, Megan Young, Keith Sears (coaches), Abby Lasher, McKenna Backhaus, Marne Euken. Not pictured: Vivian Benjegerdes, Sara Buehler. -Reporter photo[/caption]

Second-year head Coach Keith Sears believes hard work will be rewarded.  So look for the Clear Lake volleyball team to make some significant strides this season.

“Members of the team are very hard workers on the court, in the weight room and in the classroom,” said Sears.  “They come ready to go each day at practice.”

The Lions return just one letter winner from the 2014 squad which went 7-25.  Junior Emily Snelling, an outside hitter, will lead the team with experience.

Coach Sears says he expects Kirsten Baalson, McKenna Backhaus and Marne Euken to make immediate impacts on the team.  A host of others are also fighting for varsity positions.

Continual improvement as individuals and as a team, along with improving upon last season’s record are the goals for the season, according to the coach.  The team started the season by hosting an elementary, middle school and high school camp the first week of August.  The camp has set the stage for a positive season.

Sears said he looks for Humboldt and Iowa Falls-Alden to lead the North Central Conference.  “They are consistently strong teams with great returning classes,” he said.

Sears will be assisted this season by Megan Young, who will coach the junior varsity, and freshman coach Abby Lasher.