LADY REDSKINS LOOK TO 3-PEAT!!!
By Staff
LITTLE RIVER – It was an amazing season in 2023 for the Little River volleyball program as they combined a group of seasoned seniors with a handful of fiery youngsters to go 44-2 as they closed a repeat as Class 1A state champions.
Two-time player of the year and first-team all-state Alaina Eck has graduated, as have four senior classmates – all of whom earned all-state honors in 2023. was joined by four other seniors in earning all-state honors. Replacing the likes of Kami Grasser, Aubrey Olander, Ashley Stephenson, and Kate Ellwood along with Eck will be the number one task for 2024.
It helps to have Kim Rolfs returning as the head coach and leader of the Lady Redskin program, where she has secured a 201-74 record in eight seasons while now holding a spectacular overall in her career of 411-153. Assisting her in 2024 will be Jennifer Mantz and Taryn Hodgson.
Despite losing five all-state players, there is no intimidation for the returnees at Little River as they have as strong listing of underclassman that have gained valuable varsity experience or been waiting patiently for their shot at helping lead the Lady Redskins to gain a possible three-peat state championship.
“How many teams can say they lost five all-state seniors and still feel pretty good about the upcoming season and team?” coach Rolfs noted as if asking a question. “We have a talented group of girls coming back who have achieved and were a big part of the highest in team success, and now understand we have work to do to keep playing at a high level.”
Four juniors return to supply leadership for the 2024, including Havanna Olander, Addie Strecker, Evie Look, and Lucy Wright.
Havanna Olander will play outside hitter or middle hitter, where she was second on the team in a service aces with 33 and ended the season second in both hitting percentage and blocks with 92. Olander earned all-league honors as a freshman and continues to have a much larger role on the team now with the seniors gone from last year. Coach Rolfs noted, “I look for Havanna (Olander) to be a huge impact player as we put all the pieces in place.”
Evie Look is out setter who ranked second on the team in assists last season with 363. Look also led the team in serve percentage and had a great state tournament. Coach Rolfs noted, “Evie (Look) now has a full year of varsity experience under her belt, and I anticipate her to lead our offense with more confidence and consistency.”
Addie Strecker led the Lady Redskins in digs (378), had just 11 serve received errors in 46 games, and was third in serve aces with 28 from her position as libero. Coach Rolfs noted, “Addie (Strecker) is one of the most coachable kids I know! We are so lucky to have her on our side where she has been working extremely hard at her position and we see her leading our team with her play and work ethic.”
Lucy Wright is a one of the Little River’s most consistent players where she has been a starter since her freshman season, winning two state championships in the process. Wright is progressing well as she comes back from a knee injury. Coach Rolfs noted, “Lucy (Wright) is such a smart player and has done a tremendous amount of work to make our team successful.”
Junior Arika Feldman and sophomore Saelyn Raleigh are a pair of ‘newcomers’ the coaches are counting on to fill out the lineup with impact playing ability.
Arika Feldman is also a great basketball player where she continued to gain a lot of confidence and that has carried over to where she has elevated her game at the volleyball net. Coach Rolfs noted, “Arika (Feldman) will be fun to watch! She is a kid I knew would one day help the team in a large capacity and this is the year for her to do so. She has put in a tremendous amount of work in the offseason. We will call on her to set and hit for us as well as being a vocal leader on the floor.”
Saelyn Raleigh will be looking to earn more varsity playing time and will land where the pieces put her as she plays great at many positions. Coach Rolfs noted, “Saelyn (Raleigh) has put in the time to be a great player, and it is now her time to fulfill a big role. She is a competitor that plays with energy and that in itself, will lead our team towards success.”
Expressing the final of her pre-season thoughts, coach Rolfs added, “We need to find the right combination and consistency, those will be the keys to our success. This summer has been a work in progress, but so far, I am excited with what I have seen. We still have more work to put in during practices, but we are excited to see where this season will take us.”
Little River will kick off the 2024 volleyball season on the road at Ellinwood on Friday, August 30. The remainder of the 2024 schedule is as follows:
Tuesday, September 3 – at Hillsboro Triangular (with Ellinwood)
Thursday, September 5 – at Cheney Triangular (with Nickerson)
Tuesday, September 10 – at Elyria Christian Quad (with Canto/Galva & Peabody/Burns)
Saturday, September 14 – at Centre Invitational
Tuesday, September 17 – at Centre Quad (with Peabody/Burns & Goessel)
Thursday, September 19 – host dual with Ellinwood
Tuesday, September 24 – at Peabody/Burns Quad (with Solomon & Herington)
Saturday, September 28 – at Lyons Invitational
Tuesday, October 1 – host dual with Peabody/Burns
Thursday, October 3 – at Inman dual
Saturday, October 5 – at Canton/Galva Invitational
Tuesday, October 8 – host quad (with Peabody/Burns, Wakefield & Rural Vista)
Saturday, October 12 – Wheat State League Tournament at Canton/Galva
Monday, October 14 – at St. John dual
Saturday, October 26 – at Class 1A Sub-State
Friday/Saturday, November 1/2 – at Class 1A State Tournament
(The Staff covering McPherson County Activities can be reached by email at macks.people.places@gmail.com)
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