The Clarion-Goldfield-Dows volleyball seniors have been building towards this opportunity for the last three years, but technically for most of their high school athletic careers. From the time they first set foot on a court, and handled a volleyball, they have worked hard on their skills and have seen that pay off when they reached their varsity years. They have also taken a step closer each year, making state but losing in the quarters two years ago and losing in the semifinal round last year. This year, they look to make the finals and intend to take that title trophy home.
“Our strength this year will be our experience, knowledge of the game, serving and grittiness,” said head coach Katrina TerHark about her seventh edition of Cowgirl volleyball. “Our keys to this season will be staying healthy and especially with COVID-19, continue to get better every time we step on the floor, push the offensive tempo against teams and serve aggressively.”
The team finished 30-7 a year ago and brings back seniors Morgan Middleton, Jadyn Jondle, Alaina Friesleben, Kendall Lienemann, Nicole Waters and Emma Conlon. Middleton set a school record for kills last year as she pounded 577 of them. She topped that off with a 2A state record for a match as well, and she will still be a load for any opponent to handle defensively. She’s quick to credit her teammates for her success, and there is definitely plenty of skills among them to help and complement Middleton.
Jondle came up with 413 digs as the libero, while Friesleben set the table with her 823 assists, Lienemann showed the opponents that they needed to respect her too in the front row, as she made 243 kills of her own along with showing back row skill with 211 digs. Conlon contributed 95 digs on defense, and all of them are excellent servers. Middleton averaged 94.0 percent efficiency, Waters 92.7 percent, Lienemann 91.8 percent, Friesleben 91.4 percent and Jondle made 65 aces from behind the line.
“Our seniors are a very athletic, competitive and fun-loving group of girls who have a high volleyball IQ,” said TerHark. “They continue to work hard and understand it takes a team to win. They’re pushing each other in the gym daily to get better, and are willing to do what it takes to win. They are also being good role models and leaders to help us have a successful season.”
Two others, junior Summer Traub and sophomore Lexie Lane, will see plenty of minutes. Traub made 17 digs and 11 solo blocks a year ago, while Lane served at 93.1 percent and had 91 kills, 48 digs and a team-leading 36 solo blocks. “They have both continued to grow upon their experiences from last year,” said TerHark. “We are seeing great things from both of them, and will be looking to them to play more of a vital role this season.”
The rest of the coaching staff includes Laura Odland as JV coach, Karen Staples as freshmen coach, Macoy Rohrer as eighth grade coach and Maycie Rector as seventh grade coach. When asked about the North Central Conference outlook, TerHark feels her defending champion team should be contending for the title again with Humboldt being their primary competition for the top spot.
