Volleyball: Minnewaska hopes to build on its success

GLENWOOD — After losing three of its top players from the 2023 season, the Minnewaska volleyball team will look toward four returning starters to keep the Lakers competitive this fall. Minnewaska has lost graduates Avery Fier, a 2023 West Central Tribune All-Area member and an All-West Central Conference pick, Dreya Barsness, a 2023 WCT All-Area Honorable Mention and an All-WCC selection, and Haley Shea, from a season ago, but still retain some of its core. Fier, Barsness and Shea helped the Lakers to a 7-7 conference and a 16-13 overall record last season.

Dacia Fleury looks to guide Minnewaska to another competitive season. The 5-foot-11 senior outside hitter had 180 kills and 68 digs as a junior. She will play all six rotations.



Also back for the Lakers as returning starters are: Emma Pogel (Jr., 5-8, DS), Emma Hellerman (So., 5-10, MB) and Haillie Schultz (So.

, 5-10, S). Poegel had 206 digs and 22 ace serves in 2023. Hellerman had six ace blocks in a reduced role as a ninth-grader.

Schulz recorded 363 set assists, 170 digs, 160 kills and 38 ace serves in her breakout ninth-grade season. Mitch McGuire enters his first season at the helm for the Lakers. Previously, he was the first head coach for the Alexandria College Legends volleyball program.

The Legends finished third in the 2023 NJCAA Division III Volleyball Championship in November. McGuire enters his second year of teaching as a Minnewaska art teacher. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota-Morris.

McGuire assistant coaches will be Taylor Amundson, McKenzie Newton and Bailey Ver Steeg..