South Dakota high school volleyball: Here are the teams, players to watch
Brian HaenchenFor this year's season preview, we conducted a straw poll of the state's volleyball coaches, asking them to rank the top five teams and top five players in their respective classifications. They were also given the opportunity to vote for players from other classes.
Here are results from and previews of all three classifications.
CLASS AA
Though it received just one first-place vote in the media's preseason poll, Watertown was much more popular among the coaches, receiving 10 of 15 first-place votes. The Arrows finished just ahead of O'Gorman. Washington was a firm third.
If you're looking for potential dark horses: Coming off a return to state last season, Roosevelt returns seven seniors, including libero Tatum Kooima and outside hitter Tatum Wilson... Harrisburg needs to replace Brooklyn Bollweg (USD) at libero, but will build experience as the year progresses, as will Aberdeen Central... Brandon Valley's height at the net could make them dangerous.
No. 1 Watertown, 60 (10)
2018: 24-6, 3rd place
The Arrows, who won the South Dakota bracket at this year's Summer Slam Invite, will be led by Sophie Tietz. A Minnesota State-Mankato commit, the 5-foot-11 middle hitter ranked second on her team in kills (247) and first in both aces (32) and blocks (40 solo, 146 total).
Tietz is one of five returning seniors who played significant time last season, a group which includes 6-foot-1 hitter Meghan Heggelund, who recorded 178 kills over 65 sets.
Middle hitter Mckenzie Buisker, setter Alexx Bayles and outside hitter Siri Kranz also return for Watertown, which finished 24-6 last season (3rd at state) — and was my preseason No. 1 in 'AA'.
"I think we have a really good shot at the title," Tietz said. "Our communication and team chemistry (have improved over the years). That's so big for us, just being excited for one another and always supporting each other."
No. 2 O'Gorman, 59 (3)
2018: 28-7, 4th place
The Knights are balanced and dangerous. They return three of their top four attackers from a year ago, including senior Emma Ronsiek (500 kills, 38.3 kill percentage) and junior Reagan Reilly (264 kills, 35.2 kill percentage). Ronsiek, who also accumulated 270 digs, 60 aces and 37 blocks, can play in all six rotations, while Reilly established herself as a threat both offensively and defensively.
Raegen, a setter, will rotate in the 6-2 formation with her sister, incoming freshman Bergen Reilly. Bergan, who has drawn interest from Minnesota, Nebraska, Texas and Wisconsin, accumulated 68 aces and 549 assists over 108 sets as an eighth-grader.
"Last year I just came in and was just going for it, but this year will be a lot better because I know what's going to happen," Bergen said.
O'Gorman also brings back its top two blockers, seniors Sydney Wambach (71 total) and Madelaine Christensen (63 total).
No. 3 Washington, 32
2018: 30-5, Runner-up
The Warriors may be shorter than they were last year, but that's not necessarily a bad thing according to coach Kelly Schroeder, who said his team will be "more well-rounded" and will add more ball control than they've had in years past.
That being said, Washington's top two players, Louisville commit and the coaches' pick for AA preseason player of the year Phekran Kong (270 kills, 33 solo blocks) and junior Sydni Schetnan (130 kills, 48 total blocks), stand at 6-3 and 6-5, respectively. They'll be tasked with leading a program that's progressed from consolation champs to third to runner-up over the last three seasons.
"They're just hungry," Schroeder said of his upperclassmen. "We're going to use some of that stuff that's happened the last few years to motivate us. We'll be ready to go."
MORE: Five-year plan: Phekran Kong's rapid rise leads her to Louisville volleyball
No. 4 Rapid City Stevens, 19 (1)
2018: 36-1, State champions
The defending state champions graduated six seniors, but return six more this season, including outside hitter Kyah Watson (45 aces, 177 kills, 173 digs) and defensive specialist Laura Petik (34 aces, 270 digs).
No. 5 Huron, 15
2018: 17-10, 8th place
Huron graduated middle hitter Hollee Niehus, who averaged 17 kills per match last season, but does return setter Tenley Buddenhagen (674 assists, 51 aces, 308 digs) and libero/setter Havyn Heinz (575 digs, 38 aces).
Heinz, a Super Six second team selection, has been playing libero for the Tigers since she was in eighth grade and could surpass 3,300 digs for her career — a rare feat in Class AA.
Others receiving votes: Harrisburg, 10; Aberdeen Central, 9; Roosevelt, 5; Brandon Valley, 4; Lincoln, 1; RC Central, 1.
PRESEASON SUPER SIX
- Phekran Kong, Washington, 47 (6)
- Sophie Tietz, Watertown, 35 (2)
- Emma Ronsiek, O'Gorman, 34 (2)
- Bergen Reilly, O'Gorman, 20
- Havyn Heinz, Huron, 14 (1)
- Meghan Hegglund, Watertown, 7
Others receiving votes: Raegen Reilly, O'Gorman, 9; Brooklyn Kusler, Aberdeen Central, 5; Hallie Mertz, Harrisburg, 2; Sydni Schetnan, Washington, 1; Kyah Watson, Rapid City Stevens, 1.
CLASS A
No surprises here. Two-time defending champion Sioux Falls Christian was voted No. 1 by both the coaches and media, while Miller standout Kadye Fernholz was the overwhelming pick for preseason player of the year.
Fernholz accounted for 15 of 16 first-place votes within her own classification and also received votes from eight AA coaches and five B coaches. The Kansas State commit was named to the inaugural Argus Leader Super Six first team after she compiled 532 kills for the runner-up Rustlers.
The 6-foot-1 middle hitter enters her senior season with 1,422 career kills, 85 solo blocks, 814 digs and 67 aces.
Of teams to watch, Madison, which finished just outside the top five, has a 6-3 middle hitter in Abby Brooks and an All-State honorable mention in Sophia VandenBosch.
MORE ON FERNHOLZ: Miller standout commits to K-State
No. 1 Sioux Falls Christian, 86 (13)
2018: 31-8, State champions
The Chargers may have graduated 2018 Argus Leader Super Six Player of the Year Kylee Van Egdom, setter Samantha Fykstra and middle hitter Tess Harmelink, but don't expect them to miss a beat in 2019.
SFC returns a standout junior in Abby Glanzer, who logged 248 kills, 289 digs, 59 aces and 44 blocks last season. She'll be joined at hitter by Caitlyn Pruis, a 5-9 senior who registered 166 digs, 36 aces and 66 blocks. Kelsi Heard enters her senior year after recording 47 aces and 260 assists last season, while Jamaica Calkhoven (338 digs) reprises her role as libero.
No. 2 Miller, 64 (4)
2018: 30-3, 2nd place
Fernholz will be flanked on the outside by VonnaGail Schlechter and Madison Wetz. Schlechter, who is nearing 1,000 kills and digs for her career, had 272 terminations and 332 digs as a junior, while Wetz added 29 aces, 134 kills, 260 digs and 28 blocks. The Rustlers also bring back their starting setter, Racheel Oligmueller, who owned a .967 service percentage with 11 aces, 1,114 assists and 207 digs.
That talented, experienced core has guided Miller to seventh- and second-place finishes over the last two years.
"We're coming back with a lot of fire," Fernholz said. "We really, really want that next step... We want to go out with a bang."
No. 3 McCook Central/Montrose, 51 (2)
2018: 26-4, 3rd place
Not unlike Miller, the Cougars will be senior-driven in 2019 with seven returners entering their final season, led by middle hitter Abigail Van Ruler (205 kills, 53 blocks) and setter Emily Bies (65 aces, 948 assists). They also return outside hitter Aleah Ries (324 digs), middle hitter Jacy Pulse, defensive specialists Cassy Kundsen and Sarah Wegener, and right side hitter Maleah Gordon.
Fun fact: These seniors are responsible for leading MCM to its only Class A tournament appearances in program history (2017, 2018).
No. 4 Elk Point-Jefferson, 17
2018: 28-7, 4th place
Four Huskies — Kenna Curry, Riley Donnelly, Gracie Holmes and Carlie Corder — played 34 matches last season and a fifth, Katelyn Chytka, participated in 26. Corder led the team in kills (338) and blocks (73), while Chytka accumulated a team-high 419 digs.
No. 5 Winner, 12
2018: 27-5, 6th place
The Warriors boast a standout in Morgan Hammerbeck. The 5-11 senior hitter recorded 53 aces, 427 kills and 401 digs last season. Among the team's other top returners are junior setter Mackenzie Levi and sophomore hitter Ellie Brozik.
Others receiving votes:Madison, 9; Dakota Valley, 9; Aberdeen Roncalli, 7; Hamlin, 5 (1); Groton, 4; Wagner, 4; Redfield, 3; Parker, 2; Hill City, 2; Sioux Valley, 2; Tea Area, 2; Rapid City Christian, 1; Beresford, 1; Sisseton, 1; St. Thomas More, 1.
PRESEASON SUPER SIX
- Kadye Fernholz, Miller, 92 (15)
- Abby Glanzer, Sioux Falls Christian, 21
- Ally Beresford, Dakota Valley, 14 (1)
- Morgan Hammerbeck, Winner, 14
- Carlie Corder, Elk Point-Jefferson, 13
- VonnaGail Schlechter, Miller, 12
Others receiving votes: Abigail Van Ruler, MCM, 9; Caitlyn Pruis, SFC, 9; Abby Brunsing, Wagner, 5; Aleah Ries, MCM, 4; Bella Swedlund, Winner, 4; Michaela Vincent, Sioux Valley, 3; Lizzie Tyler, Wagner, 3; Logan Keszler, Hamlin, 2; Emily Bies, MCM, 2; Katelyn Chytka, EPJ, 3; Toria Andre, Vermillion, 1; Sophia VanDenBosch, Madison, 1; Ashtyn Abraham, Hamlin, 1; Janessa Storley, Webster, 1.
CLASS B
Northwestern and Warner are once again the top two in Class B, but there will likely be some growing pains for the defending champion Monarchs, who graduated six seniors, five of whom were starters.
Conversely, the Wildcats have to replace a couple standout middle hitters and their libero, but otherwise return nearly everyone from 2018, including Madalyn Groft, the Class B coaches' pick for preseason player of the year.
Outside of the top five, Burke, led by senior outside hitter Taylee Indahl, has the talent necessary to make a third consecutive state tournament appearance. Since they have a shorter roster than they did last year, coach Billie Jo Indahl said they will be leaning on their defense.
No. 1 Northwestern, 93 (11)
2018: 37-3, Runner-up
Northwestern's current seniors have only ever ended their season in the state championship match with two championships preceding last year's runner-up finish.
There's a very good chance they'll make it 4-for-4 in 2019.
Groft, a setter, is at the forefront of a well-rounded, experienced group that includes junior outside hitter Sydney Schell (556 career kills), 6-1 senior right-side hitter Chrissy Stoltenberg and junior outside hitter Hannah Schentzel, who grew about five inches over the past year according to head coach Nora Groft.
The Wildcats, who had 32 girls come out for volleyball, are also expecting big things from sophomores Mackenzie Stoltenberg, Emma Grandpre and Haiden Grandpre, as well as freshmen Ella Haven and Brooklinn Halvorson.
"We're really excited about what we have coming up," Nora Groft said.
No. 2 Warner, 69 (7)
2018: 36-2, State champions
The Monarchs' schedule does them no favors with just two matches before they take on Miller (Sept. 10), then Northwestern (Sept. 12). While they may need a few weeks to find their footing, they should be back to the front of the pack by November.
Middle hitter Danielle Seymour (125 kills) and junior defensive specialist Summer Scepaniak (62 aces, 161 digs) offer some returning experience, as does sophomore Peyton Fisher (1,100 assists, 223 digs, 43 aces), who will move from setter for eighth-grader Ava Nilsson.
"They're going to be young, but they're very talented and extremely well coached," Nora Groft said of Warner. "They'll be ready by November."
No. 3 Chester Area, 42
2018: 26-7, 4th place
The Flyers have a lethal outside hitter in Makenna Larson. The 5-6 senior notched 308 kills and 484 digs last season and offers her team "powerful offense and quick defense," according to coach Jean Benson. Larson is joined by juniors Ella Pry (164 kills, 66 digs) and Kenna Brown, who will take over at setter. 5-9 sophomore Jayda Kenyon was strong at the net in 2018, logging 66 solo blocks (80 total).
No. 4 Faulkton Area, 35 (2)
2018: 25-6, 6th place
With middle hitter Peyton Melius among their five key returners, the Trojans could be a serious force to be reckoned with in 2019. Melius, who ranked second behind Madalyn Groft in the preseason player of the year poll with votes from a few AA and A coaches, tallied 60 kills and 42 digs over 12 sets at the state tournament.
No. 5 Faith, 12
2018: 31-2, 3rd place
Coming off their best state tournament finish in program history, the Longhorns lost four key players, but do bring back quite a bit of talent. Two players to keep an eye on: junior middle hitter Aiyana Byrd (199 kills) and senior setter Sydnie Schauer (823 assists, 27 aces).
Others receiving votes:Burke, 11; Ethan, 11; Langford Area, 9; Bridgewater-Emery, 6 (1); Arlington, 5; Canistota, 4; Irene-Wakonda, 3; Hitchcock-Tulare, 2; Gayville-Volin, 2; Waverly-South Shore, 1; Ipswich, 1; Kimball/White Lake, 1; New Underwood, 1; Menno, 1.
PRESEASON SUPER SIX
- Madalyn Groft, Northwestern, 50 (5)
- Peyton Melius, Faulkton Area, 36 (4)
- Ady Dwight, Langford, 33 (1)
- Taylee Indahl, Burke, 15
- Sydney Schell, Northwestern, 14
- Makenna Larson, Chester Area, 8
Others receiving votes: Aiyana Byrd, Faith, 3; Jada Plastow, Ethan, 2; Riley Grandpre, Northwestern, 2; Emily Miller, Freeman, 1; Sydnie Schauer, Faith, 1; Jade Hutchinson, Kadoka Area, 1; Lexi Ballard, New Underwood, 1; Carrington Jones, New Underwood, 1.
Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen.