“We would like to see players who were either role players or JV players step up and fill holes from graduation losses,” acknowledged Olson.  “We expect players to work to get better every day and to push towards another conference championship and push toward strong section play.”

Returning letter winners are led by Conference MVP Bailey Schaefer (SR, Outside Hitter) and first team All-Conference player Mikenna Pattrin (SR, Middle Blocker).  Korrie Randt (SR, Setter) was second team All-Conference and sophomore Gretchen Bredberg (Middle Blocker, Outside Hitter) also returns.

New prospects for 2020 include senior Morgan Bitzan (Defensive Specialist), juniors Taylor Yeats (Outside Hitter), Olivia Otto (Defensive Specialist) and Kaytlyn Pattrin (Right Side Hitter/Middle Blocker/Outside Hitter), sophomores Grace Otto (Defensive Specialist), Sydney Schaefer (Setter, Right Side Hitter) and EmmaLee Brethorst (Middle Blocker/Outside Hitter) and freshman Kylee Dingwall (Right Side Hitter).

“The players are all excited to get to play this year,” noted Coach Olson.  “This group listens very well and has done a lot of work this off-season in the weight room and on the court.  We have two returning captains in Korrie Randt and Bailey Schaefer, and we have a lot of strong willed kids who will be stepping on the court.  Passing has been coming around and with a lot of experience in the setter position, outside hitters and middle blockers, the new players have people they can learn from and follow.”

Olson says Parkers Prairie and Underwood should be tough in the Little Eight Conference, with all the other conference teams returning good, young, core players who could really make a difference in the final standings.  As for Section 6A, Olson points to CGB and Henning as the teams to beat with Breckenridge and Wadena-Deer Creek in the mix.

“We will have to be strong in the serving game and in serve received,” added Olson.  “Taking care of the ball and running in-system as much as possible will help the team’s success.  We will have to learn how to communicate effectively and use our quickness as a way to be better on defense.”

Olson will be assisted by Abecca Erickson (JV) and Kami Dingwall (C Team), with Pam Schjei and Dianna Santjer coaching the junior high team.