Featuring an abundance of quality high school varsity-level volleyball players, the first-year pairing arrangement of Heron Lake-Okabena and Fulda has enough talent and depth to produce a very competitive squad this fall.
Entering her fifth year as a varsity coach, Trista Rhubee is excited about the opportunities and challenges of a new season with increased numbers and so much intra-squad competitiveness.
“We are very lucky to have such a large group of talented, hard-working girls,” says Rhubee about her 15-member varsity team, which has eight seniors, three juniors, three sophomores and one eighth-grader. “The merge between the two schools certainly has its share of advantages and setbacks. We have a lot of girls with varsity experience and varsity-level talent, but on the other hand, some of these girls that have been used to getting a lot of playing time may not see much of the court on a regular basis. But with this many girls, the gym is full of intensity and energy.”
A large group of B-squad players, coached by Rachel Isder, and the C-team members, coached by Jason Fisher, have also been involved and supply exceptional overall depth to what is projected to be a strong volleyball program for years to come.
“It has been awesome in practice because we can have really competitive scrimmages and the girls are pushing each other — fighting for spots and playing time,” declared Rhubee, who believes the combined varsity squad can challenge for a Red Rock Conference championship. “I think, combined, we will have more wins than our two teams (together) had separately last year. I honestly believe that we have a good shot at the conference title.”
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