Seven seniors to lead the volleyball program this season

(Above) Members of the 2020 Clear Lake High School varsity volleyball team include front row (L-R):  Grace Meyer, Ashlyn Fread, Sophia Ollenburg, Layne Lester, Emeny Brattrud, Kaley Meyer.  Back row (L-R): Delaney Eden, Emily Theiss, Jaden Ainley, Xada Johnson, Autumn VanHorn, Chelsey Holck, Dani Mennenga, and Ali Maulsby.  Not pictured: Kaitlyn VanderPloeg.  -Reporter photo

Slow and steady is the approach the Clear Lake volleyball program is taking under new Head Coach Heather Johnson.  Johnson inherits a team with seven seniors determined to improve on last year’s 8-22 overall record.

Johnson is familiar with her team.  She has seen them come up through the Middle School ranks to now represent the school on the varsity level.  She spent five years as Clear Lake’s seventh grade coach, and one year as junior varsity coach.   She will be assisted this season by Abby Brinkman, as the assistant varsity/JV coach.  Brinkman has seven years of volleyball coaching experience, having spent time with both the middle school and ninth grade teams.   Kristin Hewett will serve as the ninth grade coach for the third straight year.

“We are all looking forward to getting back into the gym— competing, learning, and building each other up.  With seven seniors in our program, I can’t wait to see how they lead our team this year, on and off the court,” said Coach Johnson. “My goal for this season is to get 1 percent better every day- work on slow, steady and improvements!”

The Lions return four starters this season.  All are seniors.

Chelsey Holck is back as an outside hitter and Coach Johnson says she brings vocal leadership to the year with a year of experience under her belt.

Delaney Eden and Katelyn Vanderploeg return as middle hitters.  According to the coach, Vander Ploeg gives the Lions a big blocking presence from the middle, while Eden is another lengthy player with the ability to put lots of balls away.  Last season Eden was a Third Team All-North Central Conference pick.

Sophia Ollenburg returns as a back row specialist for the Lions.  Coach Johnson said her defensive experience will be key to the team’s success.

Additional returning key letter winners include Ali Maulsby, who Johnson said will be bringing consistency to the team when running offense and hitting.   Jaden Ainley is an all-around skilled player.   “I love the way she talks out on the court,” said the coach.

The Lions will be looking to improve on their 2-5 record in the conference in 2019.  It will be a challenge, as Clarion-Goldfield-Dows returns most of its starters with loads of experience, and Humboldt seems to always have a solid program.

The Lions are slated to open their season Saturday, Aug. 29, competing in a varsity tournament at Clarion-Goldfield High School.  The team will be on the road for a number of matches before making their home debut Sept. 15.