COLUMBUS - Although two of the most prolific hitters in the Lakeview volleyball program's history won't be returning to the court, a batch of eight seniors look to prove this year will be even stronger than the last.
Lakeview Head Coach K.C. Belitz says a balanced offensive attack will be key to the Viqueens' success this year as multiple players take on bigger roles.
“This year's senior class has been waiting for this opportunity since they were freshman, they really have, they knew they had strong personalities, strong leaders, strong athletes ahead of them, they've been waiting for this chance and I'm excited for them to see what they can do,” says Belitz.
One of the players Belitz expects to step up as a leader, and be a highlight of many teams scouting reports, is senior outside hitter Erika Loseke who looks to pose a solid threat to opposing defenses.
Loseke says the strengths of this year's team roots from the time they've played together over the years.
“Ever since we were little, junior high even, we've been super close, and even if we aren't like the best individual players, we've always been a awesome team, and it's cool that all eight of us have stuck it out and it's fun to have those girls around me for my senior season,” says Loseke.
Senior setter Amanda Jaixen is going to be a big facilitator this fall and says she is very confident in her team as they wrap up fall camp.
“We might not have like the big swing that they had last year but I feel like everyone is really solid at their position and we're really smart with the ball. So we may not hit it hard, but we're still gonna get that kill, still gonna get that dig, because we're just that smart of players,” says Jaixen.
Seniors Morgan Iverson and Jordee Korte are two other players who will be seeing some solid time near the net. Belitz says both pose a dominating defensive presence. In addition, look out for Mallory Gotschall (Jr.), Kaitlyn Bargmann (Sr.), and Kayleen Kouma (Sr.) as players who will see solid time and have an impact on the court. The other seniors playing for the Viqueens this year include Sumithra Wemhoff and Alexis Beiermann.
The first opportunity to see the Viqueens play will be at their scrimmage Thursday evening with their first official match at home on September 1st against Seward High.