Sports editor
What better way to christen a new gymnasium?
It only happens once every 12 years, and it couldn’t have been better timing for the Marion High School volleyball team.
The first varsity high school action the new USD 408 gymnasium will see this Saturday is the 12-team, Mid-Central Activities Association volleyball tournament.
MHS head coach Jim Versch is excited for the tournament.
“It allows us to finally play in a nice atmosphere, and it gives our fans a chance to be proud,” he said. “[The MCAA] has historically been very strong, and this is a great showcase to start the season.”
The talent starts with Hillsboro and Hoisington who are ranked second and third in 3A in the state.
The rest of the league isn’t too shabby either.
“I thought Haven was one of the best teams [last year],” Versch said.
He also thinks the Warriors will surprise some teams, despite having zero seniors on the squad.
Juniors such as libero Emmali Kelsey, and hitters Lindsay Hett, Kayley Heerey, Kristen Steinborn, and Julia Zeiner will lead the team.
He also is looking for production out of sophomores Chassidy Carlson and Shelby Percell, and six-foot, one-inch freshman Whitney Gordon.
Versch moved Hett from setter to hitter, and is trying out both Carlson and Percell at the position.
“She has been a great setter,” Versch said of Hett, “but I can’t give up that hitting ability.”
He said the two sophomores will have their hands full with a tough position.
“The setter should be the quarterback of the team,” he said.
No matter who is on the court, Versch expects each player to hustle and give her all, and so far they have met his expectations.
“It’s starting to fall into place quite a bit,” Versch said. “We’re like the football team: we’re dying to go out and hit someone else.”
While Versch obviously isn’t advocating hitting any opponent, he knows his team will be hitting the volleyball with some authority.
“We’ve got the hitters,” he said. “We are just focusing on ourselves. We can’t scout anybody yet.”