Bulldog volleyball team brings foundation of athleticism, skills to new season
Members of the MFL MarMac varsity volleyball team include (front, left to right) Lakota Morrissey, Miranda Lang, Kadence Pape, Rose Koehn; (back) head coach Angela Rumph, Lauren Haberichter, Carlie Jones, Karli Tilson, Riley Moreland, Grace Anderson, Brooke Gillitzer, Hailee Corlett and assistant coach Stephanie Michel. (Photo by Audrey Posten)
By Audrey Posten, Times-Register
Now in her second year along with assistant coach Stephanie Michel, MFL MarMac head volleyball coach Angela Rumph said the two have had a jump start on the season by already knowing the players and their skills and strengths as well as areas of focus for the team.
“These players are excited about the game, they have great goals set before them and they work very well together,” Rumph shared. “I am very excited to see how this team develops over the season and where we stand mid-October.”
Rumph is especially excited about the experience the team’s returning varsity players bring to the court. That includes three seniors who started last year: Riley Moreland, Miranda Lang and Lakota Morrissey.
“They each bring expertise in their position—Riley as a hitter, Miranda as a defensive specialist and Lakota as a setter,” said Rumph. “They have developed into great role models this season with encouragement to their teammates, keeping the energy and enthusiasm up and setting the bar high for teammates.”
The Bulldogs also have two returning starting juniors in Brooke Gillitzer and Grace Anderson.
“They have a lot of experience that lays the great groundwork to build upon as we begin strategizing plays and defensive options against our opponents. Underclassmen look up to them greatly and they lead by example with their response to coaching decisions and suggestions,” Rumph added.
Two other seniors, Carlie Jones and Karli Tilson, will step into increased roles, filling the left and right front hitting positions.
“They have both gained strength and control in their hitting form and execution,” Rumph said. “I’m very excited to see how they develop as starting players this season.”
Additionally, junior Kadence Pape will join the varsity team as a defensive specialist and junior Hailee Corlett will bring both front and back row skills as a left front hitter and defensive specialist.
“As these players begin meshing with the returning varsity players, I believe we are going to have a well rounded team with great skills in every position,” the coach noted.
According to Rumph, MFL MarMac will work on hustle, communication and confidence as the season progresses. The team already has a great foundation of athleticism and skills.
“Now, we are focused on building upon that by picking up our speed of game, our reaction time and our decision-making time,” she explained. “We will also be focusing on communicating more effectively while on the court and building more confidence in ourselves and each other to become more united and stronger as a team.”
Rumph wants to see the Bulldogs become a team that is supportive and positive—one that can overcome challenges and adjust well under pressure.
“This will be the first step to becoming successful,” she said. “As a team, we want to perform better than last year. Whether the outcome is winning or losing, we want to walk away being proud of the effort we gave and be able to hold our heads high.”
The Bulldogs will put this plan into action starting Tuesday, Aug. 24, at Cascade. Their first home meet will be a triangular with Turkey Valley and New Hampton on Tuesday, Aug. 31.
