Greta Tollefson (Setter/Middle Hitter) had a season ending injury week four of the season but Isaman complimented her on being “an amazing leader from the sideline.”  She will be playing basketball at Concordia College in Moorhead this year.  Anna Stephenson (Middle Hitter) will be missed as she played all around and was the go to hitter for the Vikings most of last season.  Allie Haiby and Kierra Booth, both defensive specialists, will be missed for their defensive play and their leadership skills.

Returning starters include seniors Tori Stephenson (Outside Hitter) and Sophia Paulson (Setter/Right Side Hitter), junior Kelsey Isaman (Outside Hitter) and sophomore Ellie Welch (Hitter).

“Tori is powerful and versatile and has shown great leadership so far,” noted Coach Isaman.  Sophia has the experience to run our offense and has really stepped up in a major leadership role.  Kelsey has gotten much more powerful as an outside hitter and blocker and reads the ball very well on defense.  She will be playing all the way around for us again this year.  Ellie is a strong blocker and is improving every day on the offensive end.”

Top newcomers are freshmen Anna Roisum (Middle Hitter) and Hazel Haugrud (Libero), and eighth-grader Morgan Korf (Setter/Right Side Hitter).  Juniors Zoe Kekaha (Defensive Specialist), Kia Nelson (Setter) and Taia Marich (Right Side Hitter), sophomores Thea Olson (Outside Hitter), Claudia Gurath (Middle Hitter) and Marie Backstrom (Middle Hitter), and ninth-grader Grace Backstrom (Right Side Hitter) will all be in the mix for varsity playing time.

“Anna got quality minutes last year after Tollefson was injured and she is getting stronger each day as a blocker,” stated Coach Isaman. “Anna works hard and has great potential.  Hazel also got some quality minutes at the end of last season and had a great summer to prepare for the libero position.   She is very aggressive to the ball and reads the hitters well.  Morgan does not have any varsity volleyball experience but had a great summer preparing and has made huge progress in a short amount of time.  Morgan is very athletic and competitive and works hard to make herself better every day.”

Isaman sees DGF and Breckenridge as the teams to beat in the tough Heart O’ Lakes Conference.  She will be assisted by Marie Cupkie, Amanda Belz, Jill Roisum, Madison Oswald and Whitney Graveling (Junior High).

“This group is very young and inexperienced, but have great chemistry and are extremely coachable and hard working,” added Coach Isaman.  “They play really good defense and play extremely well as a team.  Our blocking made good progress, but will need to get stronger going into the season.  We need to get more consistent at the net and run more of a complex offense.  Overall, I am very excited for the hard work and passion of this team, and the potential they have to grow this season.”