Hitting the court

By JEN SEAVEY

Journal Sports Editor

NEW ULM -- Depth and attitude are two important things that the Eagles volleyball team has going for it this year.

The team has six returning letterwinners, including seniors Natalie Hanson, right side, Amber Bianchi, outside hitter/middle, Stacy Stueber, right, and Brittany Zander, outside hitter. The junior letterwinners were Mary Otis and Coresa Leighty, who both play middle.

But there were only a few who started last year, and all of them are front row players, Stueber, Leighty and Otis.

"It's nice to have a team having experience coming back," coach Becky Otte said, adding that people have improved in the offseason due to camps and leagues. "Amber Bianchi has been hitting really well in the preseason and so is Mary."

After a season in which New Ulm went 7-21, the Eagles are looking forward to starting the season with a new attitude -- one of hustle and positiveness. And according to Otte, there is a lot of excitement and energy this year.

"Everyone wants to start off right away," co-captain Zander said. "Instead of slowly getting into the groove of game situations, we're prepared right away."

Zander is the player that Otte expects to be the main leader on the court.

"She's just so positive all the time," Otte said. "She's always talking and communicating with teammates in a positive way. She also leads by example and is always hustling."

Zander puts a lot of hope in the attitude of the team this year and how well they have been playing together.

"I think we have [good] team chemistry ... we all trust each other," Zander said.

Co-captain Stacy Stueber agreed that the girls are playing well as a team, and thinks that because they played together in the summer, they will be a stronger team -- one that is ready for some competition.

Zander likes the idea of coming into the season with a no-nonsense attitude.

"I think we're not going to take anything lightly," she said. "We are going to consider every team competition and play like every game is our last. We're out to just show everyone we're willing to put more into it this year."

Another pair that Otte sees working hard is a pair of girls in the back row -- juniors Nikki Harris and Amanda Waibel. She says they will "spark the defense" because of their hustle. This is good for a team whose returning starters are all front row players.

One thing the girls have been working on in practice is the serve-receive passing. Otte is trying to train the girls to a higher level of accuracy, to get it to the setters to run the offense more efficiently."

Zander thinks that at times, the team does well at passing, but they need to do a better job of it on a regular basis.

"Our biggest weakness will be our consistency -- to get it done night after night," Otte said. "But I'm already seeing it even out a little bit."

Otte also sees their chances with competition in the South Central Conference. St. James won the conference with five sophomores last year, so Otte thinks they look really tough but thinks the rest of the teams look fairly even.

The Eagles will face their first challenge tonight when they travel to face Hutchinson at 7:30 p.m.