Kerri Wichael might be Thief River Falls’ new high school volleyball coach, but introductions were hardly needed when she stepped on the court for the start of fall practice. She was already familiar with the players after working with them the past two summers on Junior Olympics teams – the Prowlers’ feeder program.
“So far, taking over the program has been successful,” said Wichael, a former head coach at Wahpeton, N.D. “The first week of tryouts and practice was great. I saw a lot of hustle and hard work, with everyone battling to make a team. I’ve seen improvement in all of the girls, and they’re excited about the faster game we have been playing. I’ve really been working with them on the mental part of the game – knowing when to run certain routes, and reading the opposing team.”
Wichael takes over a program that has played in three straight Section 8AA finals and has compiled a 79-14-3 record during that run. The Prowlers lost to Wadena-Deer Creek in the 2011 championship match; beat the Wolverines in 2012 to earn their first-ever trip to the state tournament, where they took home the consolation title; and with a return trip to state on the line, fell to Fergus Falls in the 2013 section final.
Duplicating that kind of success could be a challenge for Wichael and the Prowlers since graduation losses took a pretty good bite out of the line-up. “Overall, we are a young team, but I expect the younger players to step up and be ready mentally and physically,” she explained.
It’s a trio of returning starters – senior outside hitter and defensive standout Emily Bergland, senior middle blocker Madison Brekke; and junior Meleah Biermaier, who is moving to a new role on the court at outside hitter – who are expected to be the Prowlers’ front-runners this fall.
“We have three key players returning this year,” acknowledged Wichael. “We are really looking to Emily for leadership on and off the court. Madison has really been working on her speed and arm swing. Meleah has been working on improving her passing and defensive skills. We are excited to watch these three returners.”
Others have made impressions in early drills, according to Wichael. “We have been working on filling the shoes of last year’s seniors,” she said. “Junior Mattlyn Erickson will be starting this year as setter. Mattlyn has great hands and has been improving her speed, consistency and leadership every day. Sophomore Jennicca Leier has really stepped up in the middle blocker position. Jennicca has impressed us with her work ethic. We are working with her on a faster arm swing.”
Competition remains open for other positions, mentioned Wichael, who was going to look at scrimmage results to complete her line-up card and assess areas that still need work.
Others looking to fit into the rotation at the varsity level include senior Morgan Martell; juniors Mikki Erickson, McKenna Blaine, Abbie Olson and Alexee Nelson.
The program also features junior Cassidy Wheeler; sophomores Claire Mattson, Brenna Schaefer, Janaka Erickson, Macie Kezar, Carly Cervantes, Erin Kraemer, Mariah Nelson; freshmen Kylea Praska, Bailey Green, Maddie Stewart, Jaimee Nelson, Kendra Wiggs, Kaitlyn Bakken, Tiahna Nicholson, Grace Bergland, Tessa Jorde, Abby Kraemer, Kassidy Molstad, Cayley Sabol, Kathy Szymanski, Morghan Bugge, Kayla Selvig, Leah Kainz, Abbie Nomeland; and eighth grader Becca Leier.
“Our focus this year is positivity and togetherness,” offered Wichael. “Those traits will help the rest of the pieces fall into place.”
The Prowlers open the season at home Thursday, Aug. 28, against Roseau. The match has an earlier-than-normal 3:30 p.m. varsity start time to help avoid conflict with Thief River Falls’ football debut that night at home vs. Little Falls.
LHS Volleyball
Thursday, Aug. 28 – Roseau, 3:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Sept. 2 – Bemidji, 7:15 p.m.; Thursday, Sept. 4 – at Fosston, 7:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Sept. 9 – at Crookston, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 13 – Oak Grove Lutheran, 4:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Sept. 16 – Frazee, 7:30 p.m.; Friday/Saturday, Sept. 19/20 – Southwest Christian Midwest Volleyball Warehouse Invitational; Thursday, Sept. 25 – at Detroit Lakes, 7:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Sept. 30 – Park Rapids Area, 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 2 – at Win-E-Mac, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 4 – Perham Invitational; Tuesday, Oct. 7 – Lake of the Woods, 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 9 – East Grand Forks, 7:30 p.m.; Monday, Oct. 13 – at Bemidji, 7:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Oct. 14 – at Red Lake Falls, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 18 – Chaska Invitational; Monday, Oct. 20 – at Warroad, 7:30 p.m.