(Guthrie Center) ACGC won a school record 28 volleyball matches last season and brings back a wealth of talent. The only starter gone from last year’s team is libero Olivia Laabs. It leaves the Chargers and coach Trevor Irwin with a ton of production returning.
Coach Irwin says, “We have a really solid group of girls that are returning. From those group of girls that are returning our big focus is going to be on leadership. We have quite a bit of a senior class coming in. They’ve been playing club volleyball and in season volleyball so they know what to expect and they have high expectations for each other.”
Chloe Largent led all classes in kills as a sophomore with 619. Senior to be Audrey Stowe was among Class 2A’s leaders in assists with 876. Those two are just a couple of the many key pieces coming back.
“We have our setter coming back, Audrey Stowe. We have both of our outside hitters coming back, Kylie Young and Chloe Largent. Reese Coffman is back and she played a significant role. We have both of our middles back with Saige O’Brien and Alaina Bunde. We also have EmmaKay McClain who played the right side. With those girls coming back we have a lot of talent on our side.”
The Chargers have had a winning record for four straight years and have won at least 20 matches in three consecutive seasons. Building that culture of success has set the program up for long term success. “It’s been great, we’ve had a really strong program here the last two years. I think that is only getting more and more prominent with the girls coming up through the ranks. Our strength and conditioning program as most people know is solid here at ACGC. We have a majority of our students participating in that.”
ACGC finished as the conference runner-up to DM Christian last year with the Charger’s only conference setback being a 3-1 loss to the Lions. Coach Irwin looks for this season’s conference contenders to be that same teams that were in the hunt last year. Those include Van Meter, Woodward-Granger, ACGC, and DM Christian. “I see all four of us coming in to be strong contenders. They have a great group of girls and a great coaching staff. It’s going to fun to watch it play out and I’m really looking forward to seeing what everyone puts together for this upcoming season.”
With six seniors and a lot of other varsity returners it puts them ahead of the game when it comes to getting after it at the start of practice. “What we are trying to work on a lot more now is the visual game. What do we see in the other team as far as tendencies that can give us a distinct advantage. Also on the mental side, realizing when we are in a tough game or situation and how can we use our team or positive self talk to get out of that.”
Coach Irwin admits a state tournament qualification is among the team’s goals this season. They’ve bowed out in the second round of regionals in each of the last two seasons. ACGC is schedule to take part in a jamboree at Woodward-Granger on August 20th and a scrimmage at Madrid on August 21st. The season opener is Tuesday, August 25th with a triangular against West Central Valley and Woodward-Granger.
