Indians ready for season

By ANDY ROGERS

Journal Sports Editor

SLEEPY EYE -- The 2002 Sleepy Eye Indians volleyball team will look a little different tonight as they open the season at home against Comfrey at 7:30 p.m.

The team lost six girls to graduation in 2002 -- four were starters -- but this is not a rebuilding year for the team. The team is young -- there are no seniors -- but they're experienced and ready to play.

"We're not rebuilding," coach Kris Bloedel emphasized. "We have three girls with extensive varsity experience (setter Kristi Schieffert, Allie Deibele and Ashtyn Karow)."

The Indians finished the season last year with a 5-20 record, 0-8 in conference, and the team is looking to provide some competition in the Tomahawk Conference.

"I think this year I'd like this team to be real competitive with just about any team in the conference and any team we play," Bloedel said. "We're looking to improve on (the record). We're young but we have a lot of potential. We're working hard and getting the little things done."

Bloedel says they're looking good in practice and they're ready for the next level.

"It's just going to be a matter of putting it all together at the same time," Bloedel said. "They've been practicing pretty hard. They have to push themselves to the next level and I think they're realizing that they really have to start pushing themselves to get to there."

The talent graduation didn't take away from the Indians has so far proved the team is ready. Schieffert, in her third year of starting, is just a junior, and has come along way in the offseason.

"She got good placement -- see sees the court well," Bloedel said. "She puts the ball were others can make the play."

Last year Schieffert led the team in blocks (22) and set assists (205) and was also near the top in serving (.914) and digs (96).

Deibele and Karow are two hitters who have returned from last year welcome sophomores Allie Renberg and Jessie Zuhlsdorf.

Karow and Deibele have also embraced leadership roles.

"They're starting and getting more confidence and learning more shots," Bloedel said. "They're starting to know when to use it and how to use it."

Trista Belseth, Ashley Roiger round out the backcourt and Heather Havemeier steps in as the other setter.

If anything else has changed from last year, it's their confidence.

"They've all improved in their confidence," Bloedel said. "Leadership has improved too. They're taking on that role by actions more so than vocally."

But they still have some things they'd like to see improve.

"I think as a whole we'd like to have better fundimentals," Bloedel said "It's the stuff in between plays that needs work. But we need to continue to hustle and get back defensively."