Chargers push each other to step up to the net

By JEN SEAVEY

Journal Sports Editor

NEW ULM -- Height. Potential. Unity. These are the things working most for the Minnesota Valley Lutheran volleyball team.

"The team chemistry is really good -- it comes from the senior leadership," coach Julie Detjen said. "They do a great job of making everyone feel confident and use their abilities. They're all willing to be team players."

Senior co-captain and middle hitter Eva Voss has been encouraged by what she has seen from the team, believing that this year, MVL will have fewer mental errors, thus giving away fewer free points to opponents.

"We get along so well -- we are there to pick each other up," she said. "We are not focused on ourselves; we're more focused on the team aspect."

Also an aspect of the game that will work to the Chargers' advantage is something that doesn't come from the girls' hard work and dedication: height.

The Chargers have a lot of height in Voss (6-foot 1), junior Kelsey Krohn (5-11), senior co-captain Nicki Flygare (5-9) and senior Briana Czer (5-9) and some taller juniors like Cara Hanson (5-10) and Laura Hunter (5-10) as well as a 5-7 junior hitter with a lot of power, Karissa Kramer.

"I think if we can keep our offense quick, our front row will dominate," Voss said. Voss is already among the top 10 blockers all-time at MVL. "Our passers in the back row have been able to get it up to the setter. The pass has been nearly perfect -- I've been really impressed."

Detjen added that speed in covering the outside on double blocks, transitions and approach speed is also a strength.

"They [passers] really make a concerted effort to get in the best position possible to better the ball," Detjen said.

The makeup of the back row has changed somewhat from last season. Angie Ristow, who was mostly a defensive specialist last year and stands out to Detjen as one of the main verbal leaders, will be a setter, and once the season gets going, libero.

Senior Stephanie Regals, who plays back row, worked on her quickness and accurate passing at camp and has come a long way, according to Detjen.

Detjen sees that the girls have been boosted by attending a team camp over the summer. The camp was not necessarily intensive training, she said, but it was a team-builder and confidence-builder.

"They're already on the same page," Detjen said. "Right now, they're like sponges. They're a very coachable group."

Certain individuals also have turned up the competitiveness this year.

"Bri [Czer] has come along a lot -- she's got a much stronger approach, and she's so aggressive. She dives and is wild on the court," Flygare said. "She tries hard and gives 110 percent. So does everyone else on the team, but she's come really far. We look to see a lot out of her this year as our weak side hitter."

"Bri Czer has been working her tail off for years," Detjen said. "She's kind of had to bide her time behind some strong people last year."

Two players who are expected to be even stronger this year are Kramer and Andrea Ring, who got a lot of experience on varsity last year, a year in which MVL achieved its best record ever, 19-2-1.

"They have a year of varsity experience under their belt and play with confidence, which was the point," Detjen said. "And the rest of the juniors bring a lot of athleticism to the mix.

Flygare said that although the team is not a young one, the Chargers will miss a few dominating figures from last year, including outside hitter Kelsey Black, 6-foot 1 middle hitter Jessica Beckendorf, setter Holly Enter, Meredith Browne and Ruth Olson.

"They were all outstanding players, but we're going to be okay without them," Voss said. "We're all strong too."

The Chargers begin their season Tuesday, August 31 when they host Nicollet.