Lady Vikes will feature an experienced squad

WAUSA — Greg Conn has been doing this volleyball thing for three decades now, so he should know a thing or two about the game.

Entering his 33rd year as the head coach of the Wausa Lady Vikings, Conn could end up with another interesting squad after last year’s 13-10 campaign that included a couple of upper crust finishes at multiple tournaments, a second round showing at the Lewis and Clark Conference tournament and ended up with one of the best seasons in the past few years before falling out of the SubDistricts.

A potential encore begins Aug. 26 at Bloomfield.

“Our schedule is as tough as anyone we play and if you want to be considered one of the best teams in the area, you need to play the best teams in the area. I’m excited to see where we stack up,” Conn said. “It starts right out of the gate and there is no let up throughout the season. This truly could be a special group but we have work to do in all phases of the game but we have had a good summer with our weight program and open gym workouts, so I like where we are coming into the season.”

Conn has plenty of experience back as he has seniors Leah Bloomquist, Reghan Bloomquist, Ali Lundberg, and Abrielle Nelson, juniors Anika Alonzo, Alexa Cunningham, and Abby Kaiser and sophomores Hunter West and Sienna West back in the fold with many getting plenty of time in the rotation.

“Alexa has been a two-year starter at middle hitter and blocker and looks to be a strong force there again this year,” Conn said. “Abrielle is also a two-year starter at the outside hitter position and is a strong defensive player in the front and back row and one of the top passers in the defensive core. Leah started last year as a defensive specialist and brings a lot of energy to the court.”

Reghan Bloomquist has played at the right pin for most of her previous time on the court, but might be called upon to man the middle. Lundberg is a three-year starter on the right pin and can rotate into setter when needed.

Kaiser, who has played both libero and defensive specialist, will be expected to be a solid back row player.

Sienna West will start at the setter spot after gaining more time on the court as last season evolved.

“She has great hands and can move the ball anywhere on the court,” Conn said.

Alonzo offers a serving specialist.

“The biggest thing about this year’s team is that I have a tremendous amount of depth and these kids are going to have to bring their ‘A’ game each day to practice,” Conn said. “Competition creates success and that will be our strength throughout the season.”

It won’t be easy for the Lady Vikings with the brutal schedule they face, but their opponents won’t expect a rollover either.

“We have to bring our best game each night out,” Conn said. “I know that is not always possible and in volleyball, anything can happen, but we have to have the attitude of bringing our best each game out.”

Conn is aware that starting the year with no COVID-19 related restrictions is a blessing, but one that could change as the pandemic is still, unfortunately, a reality.

“We still have do our part in making sure that we do the right things to ensure we will be able to have a full season,” Conn said. “We know that things can change in just a few hours but in some ways, that’s kind of the norm and we will deal with those changes, if any, as they are handed down.”

Leah Bloomquist enters her final year with the Lady Vikings and has a good view of what’s going on up front.

“We have a stronger front row than last year just because things are starting to click with the freshmen and sophomores from last year,” she said. “We have a lot of strong middles and outsides. The front row is looking really strong. We have a lot of variety and a lot of girls have worked on hitting line and our middles have worked on more than just hitting down and worked on hitting the corners.

“Also, our verticals have improved dramatically.”

Leah Bloomquist said that the backrow defense and the blockers up front have found a good connectivity.

“We have actually changed the way we block, and our coverage and it is clicking much easier. It’s coming along much faster. Our blocking is game ready right now.”

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