(Audubon, IA) – Volleyball is just a set and a spike away, and coach Brandi Gruhn is more than ready for an exciting start to this upcoming season. As she was out last season due to maternity leave, she is looking to have her team better their record and continue to improve her program with the recent success.
Audubon will be returning two team leaders this season with Mattie Neilsen and Addie Hocker returning to the floor. Neilsen led the Wheelers in kills last season with 297 and tied for third in serving aces with 40. Hocker led the team in assists with 550 while posting the team-best in serving aces with 53. She also contributed to the front row as she had 7 blocks for third highest on the team. Anna Larsen and Harlow Miller both helped out in the serving game and in the defensive game. Larsen had 30 aces while Miller led the team in blocks with 29 and was the second-highest on the team in aces with 46. Coach Gruhn is also looking to continue the success of these individuals while welcoming some fresh faces to the varsity floor.
An aspect of getting better on the floor is to bring the leadership to the floor. When you bring up players who had not had varsity experience, it is an adjustment to get better over time. Communication is an important aspect of volleyball, as you need to make sure that you are communicating at all times on the floor. To get the whole team involved is to communicate effectively and work together as a team.
The Wheelers are looking to be a team that moves effectively and defends strategically. One way that volleyball teams have been successful is by having great defensive ball control. Once the defense is effective, the offense can be successful on the floor.
Audubon will take on Coon Rapids-Bayard in their first competition on August 24th at Panorama High School for a Triangular. That match will start at 5:30 pm with a match against Panorama following at 7:00 pm.
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