Valley Area
FEATURING:
St. Peter Saints • Le Sueur-Henderson Giants Tri-City United Titans • Cleveland Clippers
FALL SPORTS Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014 • Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014
Preview
Giants volleyball returns girls with experience By JOSIE OLIVER
joliver@leseuernews-herald.com
Le Sueur-Henderson High School Volleyball COACHES Head coach: Dave Nixon, 15th year coaching Assistant coaches: Becky (Schultz) Straub, second year, fifth overall coaching volleyball and Casie (Blaschko) Klockmann, fourth year coaching KEY PLAYERS Junior Maddie Kleschult plays outside hitter and middle blocker. She is a two-year letter winner and an All-Conference selection in 2013. In 2013 Kleschult had 325 kills, 284 digs, 260 set assists and 34 ace serves. “Maddie is a great all-around player that has a huge impact on matches for us. Her court awareness, feel for the game, and athleticism enable her to play at a very high level. She is a fierce competitor.” Nixon said. Senior Jane Fraser is the setter. She is a three-year letter winner and All-Conference Honorable Mention last season. Her 2013 stats include 196 kills, 233 digs, 426 set assists and 49 ace serves. “Jane is a technically sound setter with great hands and a high volleyball IQ. She does a great job of running our offense and putting our hitters in a position to succeed,” Nixon said. Senior Hannah Kleschult is an all-around player, with experience as setter, defensive specialist and
specialist, senior Ashley Beseke, is a three-year letter winner. In 2013 Beseke had 130 kills, 304 digs, 31 set assists, 19 ace serves and 20 blocks. “Ashley has very good ball control and defensive instincts. She reads opposing hitters very well and has a knack for being in the right place defensively,” Nixon said. Junior Mandy Doerr is a middle blocker and a letter winner. In 2013 she had 82 kills, 23 blocks, 31 digs and seven set assists. “Mandy plays with a lot of energy and is a fiery competitor. She leads by example with how hard she works and is a highly motivated individual,” Nixon said. KEEP YOUR EYE ON Senior Caylee Huber will be a girl to keep your eye on this season, Nixon said. She is a defensive specialist and two year letter winner. In 2013 she had 159 digs, 13 ace serves and 15 set assists. Senior Rachel Murphy is an outside hitter and right side layer and has lettered two years. In 2013 she had 25 kills, 67 digs, 14 set assists and six blocks. Others to keep an eye on: Juniors Kalie Devine (defensive specialist) and Quinn HynesMarquette (right side hitter) and sophomores Klaire Hudson Ashley Beseke connects for a kill against Watertown-Mayer’s Ashley Vealetzek during 2013. (middle blocker and ride side) (News-Herald file photo) and Mikayla Reinhardt (defen“Hannah is a high energy help us in many different ways by sive specialist and outside hitter). outside hitter. She is a three-year Also watch out for first-year letter winner. Her 2013 stats in- player with very good all-around playing a few different positions players juniors Daisy Castillo clude 369 digs, 22 ace serves and skills,” said Nixon. “Her versatility on the floor.” and athleticism will allow her to Outside hitter and defensive (outside hitter, right side) and 19 set assists.
Madison Hartmann (middle blocker, right side) and eighthgrader Alexis Ewanga (outside hitter). MOVED ON Veronica Sinell, Chelsea Kaelberer and Jasmine Houska 2014 SEASON OUTLOOK In 2013, the Giants had a record of 12-19, 1-6 in the conference, placing eight. The team lost to Belle Plaine in the first round. The 2014 section favorites, Nixon said, are Belle Plaine, Jordan, Sibley East, Kenyon-Wanamingo and Waterville-ElysianMorristown. “We would like to improve on last year’s finish in the conference and in section play,” Nixon said. COMMENTS FROM THE COACH “We will do our best to compete and improve every day. We have most of our team back from last year and look to be a more mature team this year. We will also look to be a much more consistent team.” — Dave Nixon BY THE NUMBERS 34 – Number of kills Kleschult had in five sets against NorwoodYoung America in 2013, breaking the school record. 0 – The number of ‘giants’ (players over 6 feet) on the team. 5-9 – The height of the Giants’ tallest varsity player, Jane Fraser. Reporter Josie Oliver can be reached at 931-8576. Follow her on Twitter @LNHjosie.