(Oakland, IA) — Last season’s volleyball season ended in disappointment for the Riverside Bulldogs. They were the only undefeated team in the state going into the Regional Finals but Aplington Parkersburg pulled off the upset denying them back to back trips to the state tournament. The Dogs lose two key starters — Madison Kelley and Bentley Rone but there is plenty of talent remaining. It starts with Riverside’s three seniors — Libero Sophia Fenner (362 digs, 34 aces), Outside Hitter Sydney Somers (294 kills, 209 digs, 34 blocks, 46 aces) and Middle/Outside Lilli Reed (226 kills, 184 digs, 44 blocks, 67 aces). Head Coach Brooke Flathers says they are all three determined this year
Rone and Ashley Kelley shared the setter role last year but Kelley (388 assists) now a Junior will take over the spot full time. Riverside always has up and coming talent and Arabella Singleton and Vivian Gross emerged last year as Sophomores. Singleton had 127 kills and Gross 110 and Flathers attributes the development of players like this to leadership
Riverside is ranked 4th in the IGHSAU Pre Season Rankings; Red Oak is 11th and they are now both in the same conference this year. Flathers welcomes the competition
Riverside opens their volleyball season at the AHSTW Tournament on Saturday, August 29th against Atantic, Earlham, East Mills, MVAOCOU and the Lady Vikes.
Complete Interview with Head Coach Brooke Flathers
