PREVIEW: Panthers hope to gain from '18 experience

VOLLEYBALL
By: 
Pete Temple
Express Sports Editor

     If the 2018 season was for learning and gaining experience, the 2019 Monticello High School volleyball campaign could be more about winning.

     The Panthers return five starters and seven total letter-winners to the court this season, trying to improve over last year’s records of 1-7 in the River Valley Conference and 12-22 overall.

     When listing the team’s strengths, ninth-year head coach Stacie Breitbach started by naming senior Jordan Kuper, a 6-foot-2 middle hitter who was third team all-state last year, along with being a two-time all-district and Elite all-conference player.

     “We have Jordan Kuper, a four-year starter bringing leadership, strong work ethic and determination to our team,” Breitbach said. “We will also have experience this season, which we didn’t have last season. I feel we will be stronger, faster and more knowledgeable going into this season.”

     Kuper is joined by four other returning starters: junior setter Tori McDonald, who received all-conference honorable mention last season; junior outside hitter Beka Prull, senior libero Sophie Hodge and senior middle hitter Carly Hayen. Prull’s status is questionable due to a knee injury suffered at a basketball camp.

     Also receiving letters last year were two defensive specialists, senior Leah Holub and junior DeLainy Fellinger.

     Newcomers who could make an impact include junior Gabrielle Steiner, sophomores Emma Hynick and Bronwyn Hodge, and freshman Jaelyn Aitchison.

     The Panthers compete in the River Valley Conference, which last year sent two teams to their respective state tournaments: Tipton in Class 3A (state runner-up) and Wilton in 2A.

     “We are in a tough conference, so you need to be ‘on’ every time you go onto the court” Breitbach said. “It will be a battle, and I hope we are in the thick of it.”

     Kylie Nagel is the varsity assistant and junior varsity coach; Jenna Peters coaches the freshman team.

     

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