The Gayville-Volin Raiders volleyball program “took a long time to get into the swing of things” last season, according to head coach Allison Jones. The final result was a 21-14 record and the program’s first-ever state tournament appearance. This year, with much of the team returning, Jones and the Raiders hope to build on that result.
Jones, in her second season at the helm of the Raiders after playing collegiately at Mount Marty, said part of the slow start was due to the learning process. “We were still getting to know each other,” she said. “The girls getting to know me, my coaching style.
I was getting to know how they play, what works for them.” By the end of the season, the Raiders earned their way out of Region 4B, then traveled halfway across the state to beat Faith in the SoDak 16. Just two players who started in more than half of the Raiders’ matches last season graduated, leaving a talented group for Jones this season.
“This year, I think we’re a lot more prepared,” she said. “It’s been a little bit easier. We’re still pretty young, so we’re going to capitalize on that.
” Gayville-Volin returns its top five players in kills (stats entering 2023 state tournament): sophomore Maia Achen (466), sophomore Aliza Westrum (152), sophomore Jolie Westrum (72), freshman Paisley Dimmer (63) and senior Alya Dimmer (62). Junior Taylor Hoxeng (607 digs), Achen (355 digs), Ayla Dimmer (309 digs) and Jolie Westrum (278) led the Raiders’ floor defe.