Freeman Hopeful, Vc Expectant
Freeman and Valley Christian volleyball teams are, in effect, trading personna this year.
The Scotties, who qualified for the State 1A tournament last year, will, for the most part, be inexperienced.
Repeating last season could be difficult.
“Freeman had a great year last year,” said Scotties coach Kenny Davis. “Only two teams did not go to state.”
The Panthers, though still young, are experienced and would like nothing better than making a State B Tournament run.
“We would love to win the Bi-County League,” said coach Carmen DeVries.
While that would be a lofty goal to attain, Valley Christian did have a good basketball season and those players are now a year older than the ones who won just two Bi-County volleyball matches last season.
Three players back for Freeman
Freeman returns just three varsity players to the Northeast A League where state third-placer Colfax is a stern obstacle.
Back from last year are middle hitter Heather Wilkerson, outside hitter Leslie White and setter Michelle Kiddoo.
Four others on his 10-player roster traveled to state and there are three newcomers, including freshman Jenna Thomas who will be part of a two-setter rotation. Both Kiddoo and Thomas are 5-foot-5.
“They have a hard reaching over the net in the front row so we’ll sub for them,” said Davis Davis hopes the state approves a playoff option where the league’s second-place team meets Caribou Trail League runnerup for an additional state berth.
“Colfax will be real tough again,” he said, “but I’ve seen some good things out of our kids.”
Valley Christian has experience
Valley Christian has six team members back. None are seniors.
“Our freshmen and sophomores are now sophomores and juniors,” said DeVries. “I’m looking forward to having experience on our side.”
Sophomore Carli Smith, a basketball star, is the team’s power hitter in just her second year of volleyball.
Third year players are juniors Sara Teterud, the setter and team leader, Kristen Lanker and Nicole Peterson.
“They have athletic ability,” said DeVries. “We’re seeing the maturity come.”
Other veterans are Serena Lindquist and Melanie Altmeyer.
“Overall I think we’re starting at a higher skill level,” said third-year coach DeVries. “I’m excited to see what we can do.”
VOLLEYBALL ROSTERS
FREEMAN Heather Wilkerson, sr. 5-9 M Leslie White, sr. 5-5 OH Tia St. Andrew, sr. 5-5 DS Michelle Kiddoo, sr. 5-5 S Mandy Cook, sr. 5-6 OH Adrianne Baines, sr. 5-8 M Kristi Larson, jr. 5-7 WSH Lindsey Floch, jr. 5-10 M Leslie Yunker, jr. 5-9 WSH/M Jenna Thomas, fr. 5-5 S/DS
VALLEY CHRISTIAN Kristen Lanker, jr. 5-6 OH Nicole Peterson, jr. 5-8 M/OH Sarah Teterud, jr. 5-4 S Melanie Altmeyer, so. 5-6 RS Serena Lindquist, jr. 5-4 DS Carli Smith, so. 5-11 M Tiffany Stager, so. 5-8 M Kasi Gochnauer, jr. 5-9 M/OH Kasie Cupp, so. 5-5 S/H