Elk Mound volleyball seeking consistency in 2017

By Cara L. Dempski

ELK MOUND — The Mounders’ head volleyball coach, Samantha Stelter, hopes to be in the thick of this year’s race for the Dunn-St. Croix title, but knows her team needs to smooth out its game first.

“We’re working on becoming more consistent as a team,” Stelter said. “If we can play good volleyball each game, and minimize the number of errors we have, I think we’re going to have a very successful team.”

Stelter’s Elk Mound squad, which was 17-21 overall and 6-2 in the D-SC a year ago behind co-champions Colfax and Mondovi, certainly has the makings of a top-notch team despite graduating seven seniors after last season.

The Mounders said good bye to Karie Jo Nigon, Jordyn Abramowicz, Sarah Sweeney, Riley Radtke, Lauren Scharlau, Jenna Heit and Colleen Olson at graduation in May. Nigon was a second-team all-DSC player. Stelter described Nigon as an aggressive server, strong defensive player and a good setter.

Sweeney and Abramowicz combined for 279 digs as two of Elk Mound’s stronger defensive players, while Radtke, Scharlau, Heit and Olson tallied 289 kills between them in 2016 on offense.

Senior letter winner Allie Weber returns for 2017 after putting together 186 kills, 33 aces, 306 digs, and six solo blocks on her way to first-team all-conference honors and honorable mention all-area. Fellow senior Kourtney Zurbuchen also rejoins the team as one of the Mounders’ top three hitters. She reeled in 142 kills last year.

Alex Jenson and Madysen Borofka are also letter winners back for their final seasons. Borofka was one of Elk Mound’s two setters last year and, according to Stelter, did a great job of getting the ball to hitters. Jenson returns as a strong defensive player after logging 48 digs last year. Seniors Kyla Egan, Cassidy Yakesh, and Emily Bartig round out the senior class and will provide help where needed.

The junior class boasts back-row defender Abby Curry and one of the conference’s top hitters, Morgan Radtke. Curry recorded 218 digs in 2016, while Radtke – who earned first-team all-DSC and honorable mention all-area honors last year, led the Mounders with 287 kill shots and 49 solo blocks.

The duo are joined by junior teammates Kaitlin Schiferl, Hannah Simpson and Qwynn Tyman, all of whom are seeking playing time for 2017.

Sophomore Kortnee Halgren has caught Stelter’s eye, and the Elk Mound coach will likely be putting her along the right side as a setter, a hitter, or on defense. Halgren’s classmate, Hailey Blaskowski, will provide assistance at defense this season.

Other sophomores looking for varsity experience this year are Maggie Bartig, Kate Blasey, Sophie Cedarblade, Noemi Fuentes, Clare Hallum, Lexi Nechanicky, Katelyn Schroeder and Paige VanSchoonhoven.

The Mounders welcome freshmen Susan Marquardt, Nanya Kue, Rachel Wolgemuth, Alyse Egan, Morgan Kinblom, Chloe Simpson, Tessah Tyman and Emma Brenden to the team for their first high school season.

Stelter thinks the team’s strength this year lies in its strong offense, but knows the defense will need to be strong as well to put Elk Mound’s offensive skills on full display. She believes the Mounders will be contenders for a 2017 title, but will need to be consistent and minimize errors.

The Elk Mound coach sees Mondovi and Colfax as top contenders again this season, but plans on 2017 being a great season.

“This is a great group of girls I have this year. I’m looking forward to a fun season with,” Stelter noted.

Stelter is in her third season as Elk Mound’s head coach, and is joined this year by Jennifer Garnett, Darla Diermeier and Ryan Grimm. She has an overall record of 37-35 and a 13-3 conference record.

The Mounders, who participated in a scrimmage August 19 at Colfax, and are scheduled for tournament play at UW-Stout August 25 and 26. They host a quad August 29.

Roster

Seniors: Emily Bartig, Madysen Borofka, Kyla Egan, Alex Jenson, Allie Weber, Cassidy Yakesh and Kourtney Zurbuchen.

Juniors: Abby Curry, Morgan Radtke, Kaitlin Schiferl, Hannah Simpson and Qwynn Tyman.

Sophomores: Maggie Bartig, Kate Basley, Hailey Blaskowski, Sophie Cedarblade, Noemi Fuentes, Kortnee Halgren, Clare Hallum, Lexi Nechanicky, Katelyn Schroeder and Paige VanSchoonhoven.

Freshmen: Susan Marquardt, Nanya Kue, Rachel Wolgemuth, Alyse Egan, Morgan Kinblom, Chloe Simpson, Tessah Tyman and Emma Brenden.