BY JIM MISUNAS
HOISINGTON – Hoisington volleyball coach Mykela Riedl built momentum (28-11, 4-5 CKL 4TH) and improved by five wins, beating Larned 25-11, 25-15 before losing to 3A state qualifier Goodland 25-19, 25-19.
The Cardinals feature four quality veterans – Ellie Crawford, Gabby Reif, Kelsi Maier, and Sofia Simic.
Second team Central Kansas League Sofia Simic delivered 339 winners, 323 serves, 263 serves received, 188 digs, 34 blocks.
“Sofia Simic has played high level volleyball in the off-season, returning stronger than ever,” Riedl said. “Her offensive power is pretty amazing, She will be a solid 6-rotation player. She gets herself in position to take an aggressive swing. I’m proud of the improvements on serve receive and defense.”
HM CKL Gabby Reif provided 395 serves received, 344 digs, 282 serves.
“Gabby Reif will be our libero and leader on defense. She is our communication leader and brings hustle to the court. She’ll lead us with the defensive intensity we need to be great. Gabby looks for ways to get better.”
Ellie Crawford provided 572 assists, 332 serves, 132 digs, 59 winners.
“Ellie Crawford, as our veteran setter, we expect hustle and consistency,” Riedl said. “Her teammates trust that she will deliver a hittable set. Ellie’s hitting has become a weapon. We’ll get Ellie more involved in our offense.”
Kelsi Maier accounted for 225 serves, 73 digs, 73 winners, 47 serves received, 41 blocks
“Kelsi Maier has power, and her consistency we can trust,” Riedl said. “Kelsi also does a great job at setting a good block for our defense. She works hard to move across the net and get good touches on the block.”
Riedl likes the winning attitude the veterans bring.
“The veterans realize leadership and hard work that it takes to get where we want to be,” she said. “There is always room to get better. These veterans want to get to places that we didn’t think we could get to.”
The Cardinals hope to kick their defensive game up a notch in 2024.
“My hope is that we improve our defensive intensity,” she said. “The big matches we lost last year were mostly due to the other team playing better and scrappier defense. We’re working hard to become better at reading hitters, playing around our block, and taking quicker first steps to where the ball is going.”
The Cardinals will mix and match to discover other players who will contribute.
“We have two seniors (Presley Brungardt, Peyton Schneider) who want to make big contributions,” Riedl said. “We have underclassmen fighting for varsity spots. We have lots of options, which is exciting. We believe our team can be every bit as strong as last year. Our goal is reach to the top of the CKL and make it to state.”
Riedl said perennial powers Hillsboro and Hesston headline a competitive Central Kansas League.
“Every team had strong juniors, sophomores, or freshman making good plays,” she said. “They have strong players ready to step in. It will continue to be a dogfight every night.”
CARDINAL ROSTER
0/20—Gabby Reif, 5-5, Libero, 12
1/21—Rylee Vaughn, 5-3, DS/Libero, 11
2/24—Rylee Vaughn, 5-3, Libero, 11
3—Reece Aylward, 5-6, OH, 9
4—Madison Henning, 5-7, RS/OH, 9
5—Madeline Kolas, 5-2, DS/OH, 11
6—Addi Hanzlick, 5-8, MB, 10
7—Marly Brewer, 5-3, S, 10
8—Laeya Beck, 5-6. OH, 9
9—Baya Yeakley, 5-9, MB, 9
10—Macie Strong, 5-5, OH/DS, 9
11—Marley Bittel, 5-7, OH, 10
12—Trinity Graves, 5-7, OH, 9
13—Kinley Wilkens, 5-11, OH/MB, 10
14—Ellie Crawford, 5-11, S, 12
15—Brynn Tarlton, 5-3, S, 10
16—Hadley Gregg, 5-3, S, 9
17—Lola Beaver, 5-2, S, 9
18—Sofia Simic, 6-1, OH, 10
19—Carly Lamatsch, 5-7, OH, 10
22—Reese Vaughn, 5-3, S, 9
23—Presley Brungardt, 5-8, MB, 12
24—Miya Nachtigal, 5-5, DS, 11
25—Kelsie Maier, 5-10, MS, 11
28—Nevaeh Graves, 5-9, MB, 10
29—Kennedy Dalton, 5-7, MB, 9
31—Peyton Schneider, 5-9, RS, 12
32—Mayci Gruis, 5-11, MB/RS, 10
34—Kinder Welch, 5-7, MB, 10
CARDINAL SCHEDULE
8-31—at Central Kansas League, Halstead; at Ness City JV
9-3—Scott City/SE Saline
9-5—at Holcomb/Dodge City
9-10—*Haven/St. John
9-14—Hoisington JV Tournament
9-17—at *Hillsboro/*Larned
9-21—at Russell Tournament
9-24—at *Haven/*Pratt
9-28—Hoisington Tournament
10-1—*Halstead/*Smoky Valley
10-3—at Larned/Ellinwood/Hill City
10-8—at *Nickerson/*Hesston
10-10—at SE Saline/Hesston
10-17—Ellsworth/Hutchinson Trinity
10-21/22—at 3A regional
10-26—at 3A substate
