Warriors will build on last year's growth as they aim for top of UIC

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The Central volleyball team includes (front, left to right) Maria Fe Villarejo, Brylee Erickson, Oakley Armstrong, Payton Stannard, Tenley Bormann;(middle) Katie Royer, Ashlyn Koehn, Makenzie Thorson, Ella Frieden; (back) Allison Heer, Tessa Sylvester, Reese Berns, Brandi Herman, Alivia Wiley, Maci Keppler, Tori Sylvester and Lyla Burns. Not pictured are head coach Kelly Erickson, assistant coach Kiersten Tenge and volunteer Sydney Himes. (Photo by Willis Patenaude)

By Willis Patenaude, Times-Register

 

In the last three seasons under the tutelage of coach Kelly Erickson, one word that has come to define Central’s volleyball team: growth. Not just in general, but growth in key areas like commitment and dedication, which will ultimately contribute to success.

 

Building a team culture of unity, hard work and mutual support has been aided with increasing commitment and dedication from the roster. This is evidenced by team building activities like a trip to a team camp at Iowa State University over the summer, where players not only worked on team skills, but on strengthening team culture—so “every player feels valued and understands the importance of working together toward our common goals,” Erickson said.

 

“We’re working to foster a strong, cohesive team that supports one another both on and off the court,” she said.

 

Building cohesion requires commitment, as well as playing together, which the team did throughout the summer by attending open gyms at Central and participating in the Oelwein League on Sundays in June and July. This provided “valuable game experience,” Erickson noted, and gave players time to “gel on the court.”

 

The varsity commitment level has trickled down the volleyball program, setting the stage for long-term success in establishing youth programs and bringing in coaches. 

 

That will also be different on the sidelines and during practices this season, with Erickson adding assistant coach Kiersten Tenge and volunteer Sydney Himes. Combined, the two will be a “tremendous help” with younger players, while also allowing the team to accomplish more during practices, “ensuring that all players are engaged and developing,” Erickson said.

 

It’s led to more junior high participation in open gyms, which not only builds a more cohesive developmental path as they transition to the high school team, but will “benefit them in the long run as they become familiar with our drills and expectations,” Erickson said.

 

This foundation and commitment comes with expectations and goals, which build on last year’s turning point moment, when the Warriors went on the road and defeated Clayton Ridge in a hard-fought, five-set match. Erickson believes that point made the athletes “realize that their hard work was truly paying off.”

 

It’s a lesson Erickson hopes will carry into this season, as she has her sights set on finishing at the top of the Upper Iowa Conference. To get there, she will rely on the depth of upperclassmen. Despite losing five seniors last year, including the leading contributions of Mackayla Vlazny, Lizzie Royer and Brooklyn Amsden, Erickson is confident in other players “stepping up in practice and putting in the necessary work.”

 

The list of players includes seniors Tessa Sylvester and Kristen Farmer, who will see increased offensive roles. Junior Katie Royer will continue in the setter role and junior Alivia Wiley will help “fill the void” that was left with the departure of last year’s seniors. On the court with them will be returning starters Tori Sylvester, Reese Berns and Oakley Armstrong, who will be vital assets on both sides of the ball, as well as in team leadership.

 

Erickson will also lean on the team’s defense, which has been a strength the last few years. This side of the ball will be highlighted by juniors Maci Keppler and Ashlyn Koehn, who have shown consistent improvement in practice and will bolster the defense. Two additional seniors, Allison Heer and Brandi Herman, are returning to the sport after taking a few years off and should prove valuable on offense and in team leadership. Sophomore Brylee Erickson, a versatile athlete on the floor who has been playing the sport for seven years, is expected to be a “key player” in maintaining the Warriors’ defensive prowess.

 

Brylee said, “I hope this volleyball season brings positivity and lots of energy. I feel this game is built off of your team’s energy and passion for the game.”

 

Joining the upperclassmen are five freshmen in Payton Stannard, Lyla Burns, Tenley Bormann, Mackenzie Thorson and Ella Frieden. Stannard has been in the sport since fifth grade and enters the season with a few goals, including making the team better, communicating more, remaining positive and working hard to get better. According to Erickson, Frieden has “shown great potential” in the early stages of the season.

 

Not wanting to rely solely on defense, Erickson looks to improve the offense, starting with improving Central’s serving percentage. This will enhance their offensive capabilities while helping out the defense, allowing the Warriors to be a more balanced team. As a result, a primary focus has been on serve reception and serving skills, to maximize offensive opportunities.

 

“Improving our serve reception will help us better transition into our offense, while refining our serving will be crucial for putting pressure on our opponents, [and] we will concentrate on developing a more dynamic offensive strategy,” Erickson said.

 

Success for Erickson will be a blend of personal growth, character development and teamwork, “measured by how well the team grows as individuals and as a team, and how they face challenges with determination and unity.”

 

Although stats and wins will decide the conference placement, it will be the team environment, one hopefully built on cohesion, commitment, dedication and support on and off the court, that will essentially matter the most.

 

“When coaching high school volleyball, I emphasize the importance of teamwork and resilience. We aim to build a cohesive unit where the players support each other and work together seamlessly,” Erickson said.

 

The Warriors will start their season this Thursday, Aug. 29, at Lisbon.

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