Above: Zoe Porter on the serve receive during one of the seven scrimmages Cleveland played in its new gym on Tuesday.
Clipper volleyball wrapped up its pre-season yesterday with a Valley Conference “jamboree,” hosted by Cleveland for the first time in the event’s five-year history. Eight of the nine Valley schools participated.
The Clippers open their season tonight with a trip to New Ulm Cathedral.
The Lady Clippers had a strong summer playing in the Class-A Showcase and placing 2nd. They beat a few 4A and 3A schools. They are ranked ninth in the pre-season poll. Mayer Lutheran, which is in the Clippers’ section, is number one.
“In order to beat Mayer Lutheran we need to really develop our outside hit and blocking,” said head coach Bree Meyer.
Seven seniors are on the team, five which will be starters. They include Taylin Gosch (setter), Emily Kern (middle hitter), Zoe Porter (defensive specialist), Allison Jindra (defensive specialist), Grayce Kortuem (middle hitter), Jordyn Klingel setter (first two games and then outside hitter) and Maddy Steen (outside hitter).
Meyer is evaluating her players to see who is the top prospect to fill the role of graduated senior Halle McCabe.
“Halle was an amazing outside, strong side hitter, she said. “Prospects to fill that role are Jordyn Klingel, sophomore Laci Hollerich, Maddy Steen and freshman Ava Hahn.”
Starting tonight in New Ulm will be Klingel at setter, junior Harley Connor at right side hitter, Kern and Kortuem at middle hitter, Hollerich, Steen and Hahn at outside hitter, Porter and Jindra as defensive specialists and junior Emma Sweere as libero.
Other Varsity members include juniors Lexy Waldron and Sarena Remiger as middle hitters, freshman Sophie Perkins as outside hitter and setter, and sophomore Greta Hahn as setter and freshman Savannah Meyer as defensive specialist.
Other seniors from last year lost to graduation are Serena Williams and Brianna Connor. The Clippers split with Alden-Conger last year but won every other game in the conference.
Emily Kern on the attack.
Libero Emma Sweere digs up serve receive.
Taylin Gosch goes up for a spike.
Jordyn Klingel makes a bump set.
The varsity volleyball team includes L-R, front row; Greta Hahn, Allison Jindra, Jordyn Klingel, Emma Sweere, Zoe Porter, Ava Hahn and Savannah Meyer. Back row: Sophie Perkins, Maddy Steen, Grayce Kortuem, Harley Connor, Emily Kern, Sarena Remiger, Lexy Waldron, Laci Hollerich and Taylin Gosch. (photo courtesy of Bree Meyer)