Oconto Falls volleyball team lacks experience heading into year

OCONTO FALLS — High school volleyball practice opened on Monday, with teams preparing for the regular season.

Oconto Falls and Lena head into the season under similar circumstances and will both play their first matches on Aug. 27, the earliest date regular season play can begin.

Oconto Falls

Coming off a season that ended in the regional finals, Oconto Falls must replace a majority of its starting lineup in order to experience that level of success again.

The Panthers, who will be coached by Rochell Otto, only return three starters, but do have outside hitter Natalie Brauer to lean on.

Brauer was a first team all-conference player last year and is poised for another big season in her senior year as she steps into more of a leadership role.

“To be successful this year, everyone must give 110%,” said Brauer. “Every practice we need to give it our all and work together and become a better team. There will be lots of new faces on the varsity team and working together is going to be key. As we struggle in different positions throughout the season, we need to focus in and overcome the struggle so we don’t hang our heads during tougher games.”

Senior Samantha Coron (setter) and junior Jayden Arndt (middle hitter) are the other Panthers back with starting experience.

Like Brauer, Coron is ready to leave it all on the court in her final high school season.

“This being my last high school season, my drive to play has become so much stronger,” said Coron. “Being one of the seniors this year, my mindset is so clear about what I want this team to accomplish together. I really hope we can come together, become a strong team and share the love of the game.”

Coach Otto will be looking for several players to step up, and is expecting junior Amelia Rice and seniors Saffy Mears and Kari Albrecht to be among those individuals.

Despite the turnover on the roster and rotation, Otto still believes the team can win over 20 games and finish in the top half of the NEC.

After scrimmaging at Pulaski High School on Saturday, Oconto Falls will open the regular season at an invitational in Little Chute on Aug. 27. The team’s first home match is Sept. 5.

The Panthers will compete in Division 2 for the playoffs after wrapping up conference play.

Lena

Coach Heidi Place has her work cut out for her as she prepares Lena for Marinette & Oconto Conference play.

Place must replace four talented seniors from last year’s team that won five M&O matches.

“This year we have a younger team. We lost four great players, but I still have a couple starters from last year that will bring some varsity experience to the floor,” said Place. “I think once we start practicing and working together and developing team chemistry we will do well this year.”

Seniors Lilia Shallow (middle hitter) and Lillian Sellen (setter) and juniors Leah Dean (outside hitter) and Morgan Cruz (defensive specialist) are the team’s returning starters.

“Athletes in Lena have always had the challenge of proving that even though we come from a small school we can still compete,” said Sellen on what the team wants to prove. “To accomplish this, our teams must focus on having versatility, good communication and dedication.”

Lena will scrimmage at Wabeno High School on Saturday before competing in a triangular in Bowler on Aug. 27 for its season-opening matches. The Wildcats first home matches will come Aug. 29.

Lena will compete in Division 4 for the postseason.

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