2 minute read
Dawson-Boyd Blackjacks
Dawson-Boyd junior Hayley Anderson, 13, tries to hit around LQPV’s Jalyn Lee during a Camden Conference match on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022 at the Dawson Community Center. Joe Brown / West Central Tribune
Blackjacks hopes more experience means more wins
Dawson-Boyd has 4 starters back, including All-Camden pick Ayiana Hastad
BY MICHAEL LYNE | West Central Tribune
DAWSON — Dawson-Boyd enters the 2023 season with an experienced group that is itching for more success after an 8-18 overall record and a 3-9 finish in the Camden Conference.
“We are excited to start this year with a seasoned group of girls,” said Hailey Gritmacker, who is in her second season as the Blackjacks’ head coach. “We have many upperclassmen that want a spot on the court. The kids are working hard to create a competitive environment daily. We also have some younger players that are hungry for more.”
Dawson-Boyd returns five starters from 2022, including All-Camden Conference pick Ayiana Hastad. She is a 5-foot-9 senior middle hitter.
Hayley Anderson, a 6-0 middle hitter, and Allison Estling, a 5-5 libero, are also seniors who will return to the starting lineup.
Then there are juniors Reese Johnson and Bailey Bothun. Johnson is a 5-10 outside hitter and Bothun is a 5-9 setter/right-side hitter. Both of them, along with Hastad, are players to watch, according to Gritmacker.
“Ayiana has a dominant presence in the front and back row and was a statistical leader in every category,” Gritmacker said. “Reese is a powerful outside who looks to get more playing time this year. Bailey has been a utility player for the past three years, filling the team’s gaps. We are excited to have her be a setter for us as this is a big leadership role.”
As the Blackjacks look forward to the season, they will be without DawsonBoyd graduates Kate Dahl and Chelsie Husby.
“We could always rely on (Kate) to find a way to get a kill,” Gritmacker said. “After running a 5-1 with (Chelsie) for a couple years, we are working on filling the gap. She was motivated to do better and always praised those around her.”
