By Staff
LINDSBORG – After three trips to the Class 3A state tournament without a trophy, the Smoky Valley volleyball team is looking to make a solid run for the state championship in 2023 thanks to a roster loaded with six returning starters and three first-team all-league players.
Despite going 32-11 for the season and dominating sub-state, the Lady Vikings failed to make it out of pool play in the 2022 state tournament which was a slight step back after placing third in 2021 and second in 2020. Over the past three seasons, the Smoky Valley spikers have run up an impressive record of 107-19.
(2022 Class 3A Sub-State Champions)
After working with the Lady Viking volleyball program for 19 seasons, of which seven were as an assistant coach, Doug Schneider returns as the head coach for his second season. Overall Schneider’s coaching record is 201-175 and he will be assisted this season by Kelsie Anderson and Nicole Biegert.
Leading the team for 2023 will be seniors Adrian Hazelwood and Hope Duncan along with junior Katja Blanchat. All three earned first team all-league honors last season.
(Katja Blanchat)
Hazelwood, a setter, amassed a whopping 930 assists in 2022 and has accumulated 1,876 assists in just two seasons.
The Lady Vikings key outside hitter, Hope Duncan led the team in kills with 426 while also recording 423 digs as well while middle hitter Katja Blanchat made 384 kills in 2022. Duncan was named honorable mention all-state last season and has committed to continue her volleyball career in 2024 at Fort Hays State.
Also returning as a starter is senior Avry Ahlstedt who made 145 kills from her outside hitter spot, senior middle hitter Tinley Scott who added 137 kills to the stat sheet, and senior Breanne Peters, the team’s defensive specialist who tagged 138 digs in 2022.
One name coach Schneider noted to keep an eye on will be junior setter Chenzi DeBaere who transferred in from Little River where she played on the Class 1 Division I state championship team and led the team in assists with 489 while also making 227 digs and 43 service aces.
“If we have a weakness, it might be in blocking and defense,” explained coach Schneider during his preseason reflections. “Our strengths will be quickness and athleticism. This team’s primary goal is to play our best night in and night out while giving ourselves a chance to make a return trip to Hutchinson with the final goal of lifting the Class 3A state championship trophy in 2023.”
The Lady Vikings will open the 2023 season on the road Saturday, August 26 at the Pre-Season Central Kansas League Tournament in Haven.
2023 SMOKY VALLEY LADY VIKING VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE:
Saturday, August 26 = at Pre-Sason Central Kansas League Tournament in Haven
Thursday, August 31 = at Abilene Quad (with Thomas More Prep/Marian, Concordia)
Tuesday, September 5 = at Nickerson Triangular (with Hays)
Saturday, September 9 = at Southeast of Saline Tournament in Gypsum
Monday, September 11 = hosting Triangular (with Haven, Ellinwood)
Tuesday, September 12 = at Hillsboro Triangular (with Lyons)
Tuesday, September 19 = hosting Triangular (with Cheney, Hoisington)
Tuesday, September 26 = hosting Triangular (with Haven, Larned)
Tuesday, October 3 = at Halstead Triangular (with Southeast of Saline)
Thursday, October 5 = at Ellsworth Triangular (with Central Plains)
Tuesday, October 10 = at Hesston Triangular (with Pratt)
Saturday, October 14 = at Abilene Tournament
Monday, October 16 = at Nickerson Triangular (with Chapman)
Saturday, October 21 = at Class 3A Sub-State, TBA
Friday/Saturday, October 27/28 = at Class 3A State Tournament in Hutchinson
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(The Staff covering McPherson County Activities can be reached by email at macks.people.places@gmail.com)
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