Big changes are in store this year for the Oconto Falls High School volleyball team after advancing to the state tournament in 2013.
The Panthers will have to replace one of its most accomplished, if not its most accomplished, senior classes. Gone is do-everything player McKenna Larsen, middle hitter Carly Lemke, setter Liz Watzka and Racheal Winter.
Also, for the first time in 29 years, Oconto Falls will have a new head coach. Dawn Larsen stepped down after 757 career victories, 1,959 set wins, nine conference titles, 11 regional titles, four sectional titles and four state appearances.
Rochell Otto takes over the head coaching job after being Larsen’s assistant for the previous seven years. Players are familiar with Otto, who was the junior varsity coach for many years.
“We haven’t changed a lot of things that we do,” Otto said. “I know I’m new as far as the label, but I’ve been around. I don’t think it’s a matter of rebuilding as a new coach much less because we lost some awesome players last year.”
The seniors helped the Panthers to a 42-4 record last season, three first-place finishes at tournaments, their second state appearance in three years and back-to-back undefeated seasons in the Bay Conference.
“Those seniors last year were quite unique,” Otto said. “I don’t know if they’re replaceable. I just hope that we can get our level a little bit higher that they can pick us up and get us to compete.”
Larsen was the Bay Conference player of the year and named to the Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association all-state team. She was second-team all-state as a junior and third-team her sophomore season and all-conference all four years she started. For her career, Larsen had 527 aces, 2,948 kills, 2,052 digs and 2,362 sets.
During Lemke’s three years on varsity as a middle hitter, she amassed 1,442 kills, 166 block kills and 500 total blocks. Watzka, who was a setter opposite Larsen, started for three years and tallied 1,328 assists and 541 digs.
The Panthers, however, return five starters from last season.
Senior Kayla Virtues and junior Emily Kilmer will return as the Panthers outside hitters. Virtues logged 94 kills and 32 aces, and Kilmer had 97 kills last season.
“I’m hoping (Kilmer) takes that step and is a powerhouse for us,” Otto said.
Alyssa Nelson, who tweaked a muscle in her back early in practice and hasn’t gotten a lot of early-season time on the court, had 63 assists (third on the team), 56 aces (second on team) and 65 kills in 2013.
In the back row, the Panthers will have seniors McKayla Johnson, Bay Conference honorable mention last season, and Liz Manns for another season. Johnson logged a team-high 665 receptions along with 480 digs. Manns had 220 receptions and 232 digs.
“Those two I’m looking to lead our defense and to be able to get passes to our setters, so our setters aren’t running all over,” Otto said. “Hopefully if they’re on their game it’s going to help us all around because we do have rookie setters at the varsity level.”
The two first-year setters are Madison Helmle, who played in 20 varsity sets last season, and fellow junior Mikaela Thomson, who played for Otto on the JV squad last season.
Larsen and Watzka combined for 1,181 set assists last season. Helmle and Thomson didn’t have any.
“I think our defense and our passing will be strong. Hopefully our two new quarterbacks will get the job done,” Otto said.
Also looking to get some playing time this season are juniors Carolyn Malcheski, outside hitter, Josie Ausloos, middle hitter, and Codie Muthig, specialist; sophomore Shelby Coron, middle hitter/middle blocker; and freshman Sarah Sprout, who will split time between varsity and junior varsity.
Otto is excited for the season and the possibilities for her team.
“I think we’re going to be scrappy and I think we’re going to dig the ball well,” Otto said. “We’re not going to have the powerhouse hitting that we’ve had in the past. We don’t have a Carly or McKenna that will just pound the ball away. We’ve got some girls that can put something on it, but I think our strength is going to be our defense.”
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