By Becky Walz,
There may be a new coach on the bench, but the Turkey Valley volleyball team will have familiar faces on the court in 2022, despite graduating several key pieces to the squad.
Putting the team together for her first season is Shelbie Balk, who will likely rely on the five veteran players on the court.
There may be a new coach on the bench, but the Turkey Valley volleyball team will have familiar faces on the court in 2022, despite graduating several key pieces to the squad.
Putting the team together for her first season is Shelbie Balk, who will likely rely on the five veteran players on the court.
A good year
In 2021, the Trojans had veteran talent with 11 returning letter winners.
That experience paid off, with the Trojans going 6-2 in the Upper Iowa Conference, in a tie for second place.
The postseason started against Kee, with the Trojans taking care of business 3-0 (25-4, 25-13, 25-6). In the quarterfinal, Turkey Valley’s season came to a halt as Saint Ansgar took down the Trojans 3-1 (15-25, 14-25, 25-19, 13-25).
For the year, the Trojans went 17-16. In 82 sets, they had 657 kills and 2,189 attack attempts. At the service line, they went 1,365-for-1,638 for a .833 serving efficiency. The also had 178 aces, producing 5.4 per set. The squad put together 603 assists (18.3 per set), 1,339 digs (40.6 per set) and 88 total blocks (35 solo, 53 assists).
With the conclusion of the year came the graduation of six players. Josie Weber had 534 assists as the team’s setter, along with 51 kills, 15 total blocks (5 solo, 10 assists), 223 digs and went 291-for-322 at the serving line with 30 aces. Kourtney Schmitt was third in kills with 95 to go with 98 digs, five total blocks and a serving mark that was 266-for-313 with 34 aces. Olivia Drilling pounded out 92 kills with 23 total blocks (10 solo, 13 assists). Tess Franzen, Makaela Kime and Olivia Maklenburg also graduated.
The big five
Coach Balk has five big letter winners back to lead the team. At the top of the list is Adriana Tiedt. The junior outside hitter led the Trojans in kills with 240 on 711 attack attempts last season. She also led the team in ace serves with 50 while going 238-for-301.
Middle hitters Brianna Busta and Jacqlyn Schmitt also return for their senior campaigns. Busta provided 96 kills last season and had 21 total blocks (10 solo, 11 assists). J. Schmitt had 75 kills and 11 total blocks (4 solo, 7 assists) and went 210-for-243 at the serving line with 21 aces.
Libero Clare Courtney is also back with a team-high 261 digs a year ago, along with defensive specialist Halle Weber who had 319 digs as a sophomore last year.
Other members of the squad are seniors Alison Leibold, Abigail Schmitt, Sierra Morris, Olivia Snyder; juniors Mariah Throndson, Ryann Schmitt; sophomores Kinsey Reicks, Delaney Busta, Morgan Vsetecka and freshmen Maici Weber and Addison Steinlage.
“We have the determination to want to be the best. Every player is eager and motivated to learn new skills. Some are playing new positions this year and are adapting very quickly. The confidence within our team is extraordinary, and it will only continue to grow,” said Coach Balk.
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