Hungry for More: Players eager to solidify legacy
MITCHELL, S.D. – Coming off its best season in nearly three decades, the Dakota Wesleyan University volleyball team looks to carry the standard set by previous teams and solidify their own legacy in the program history books. With a strong returning core along and a talented incoming class, the Tigers set their sights on the postseason in hopes to qualify for the Great Plains Athletic Conference Tournament.
MITCHELL, S.D. – Coming off its best season in nearly three decades, the Dakota Wesleyan University volleyball team looks to carry the standard set by previous teams and solidify their own legacy in the program history books. With a strong returning core along and a talented incoming class, the Tigers set their sights on the postseason in hopes to qualify for the Great Plains Athletic Conference Tournament.
Under seventh-year head coach, Lindsay Wilber, the Tigers have improved in each of the last two seasons but have been unable to finish their season in postseason play. After graduating five seniors, including three All-GPAC athletes and one All-American, the Tigers will turn to a few familiar faces, but also a number of new names to carry the momentum.
Three returners that look to lead as team captains include the senior duo of Sara Herman (Reliance, S.D.) and Chaydon Metzger (Larchwood, Iowa), along with sophomore setter Madeline Else (Holstein, Iowa). Wilber said the three were voted on by their teammates for how they lead on and off the court.
"These three were chosen by their teammates and I fully supported their decision," Wilber stated. "They will be the perfect captains to represent our program this fall. They all are extremely good teammates, vocal and hard-working. I trust the decisions they make on and off the court."
The trio is not shy from the spotlight as Herman was nominated to the All-GPAC Honorable Mention Team during her freshman campaign. In her career, she has tallied 1,139 digs and 4.1 digs per set. Her career digs are also good for 11th in program history.
Metzger has improved in each of her seasons with the Tigers and looks to build on that during her senior season. Last year, she sat fourth on the team with eight solo blocks, 72 block assists and 0.7 blocks per set. She also tallied 86 kills on the season and now has totaled 125 kills in her career. In her first season, Else saw more playing time as the season continued. She recorded a season-high 30 assists against Hastings College and notched eight assists in three different games.
Other returners who look to make an impact on the court include Dannielle Burns (Raymond, Minn.), Mariah Gloe (Watertown, S.D.), Jadie DeLange (Monument, Colo.) and Mackenzie Miller (Mitchell, S.D.). Burns had an impressive freshman effort as she finished third on the team with 360 digs and 3.1 digs per set. Her best outing of the season came against College of Saint Mary where she finished with 22 digs.
Another impressive first season was that of Gloe as she tallied 90 kills through 29 games played. She also tallied 12 assists and 273 digs. Adding another aggressive swing at the net is DeLange after her first season transferring from Black Hills State University. She recorded 224 kills, 2.3 kills per set, eight solo blocks and 36 block assists in 2019 for DWU. Miller saw an uptick in playing time throughout the season when one of her best games came on senior night as she notched four kills against Morningside College. In 12 games played, Miller tallied 21 kills and three solo blocks.
"We have a great mix this season of new players and returning players so it will be fun to see how we progress as the season plays on," Wilber said. "The successes from each year build for the next season and that's how I feel about last year coming into this fall!"
Along with the returners, there is a plethora of first-year players that are hungry to see playing time and make an immediate impact. Those include Hanna Reiff (Chester, S.D.), Ady Dwight (Langford, S.D.), McKenzie Buisker (Watertown, S.D.), Taylee Indahl (Burke, S.D.) and Tya Weideman (Mellette, S.D.).
Reiff transfers to DWU from Northern State University where she recorded 69 digs and two aces in 31 sets played. In her high-school career, Reiff tallied 2,989 digs and 136 aces with just 19 reception errors. Dwight will make an impact in the middle after tallying 573 blocks, 1,454 kills, 791 digs, 217 aces and 64 assists in her career with Langford Area High School. Another freshman in the middle looking to compete right away is Buisker. For the Arrows she tallied 527 kills, 171 blocks and tallied a hitting percentage of .306. She was named to the All-State and All-Conference Teams her senior season.
Indahl and Weideman are individuals that Wilber said she will look to contribute in certain situations. Indahl is a school record holder with 25 kills in a match and 1,642 digs and 2,123 kills in a career. She was a three-time All-State member and a five-time All-Conference player. Weideman is also a school record holder for Northwestern High School with 491 digs in a season. She was a member of three State 'B' Championship teams and one runner-up finish.
"Hanna will add depth to our defensive unit and is a tremendous passer," Wilber commented of her incoming class. "Ady (Dwight) will play middle for us right out of the gate. She's super talented physically, offensively and defensively with blocking and has already adjusted to the college game nicely. McKenzie (Buisker) will also start as a freshman middle. She runs a very effective slide and brings more height and length to our frontline. Taylee (Indahl) and Tya (Weideman) are also freshmen that I look to contribute to our varsity in certain situations and push those upper classmen for some court time."
Each season has its challenges. Whether it be new players adjusting to the college game, trying to fill the holes left behind from graduating players or how to compete in certain situations throughout the season. But, the 2020 season boasts an entirely new difficulty as players and coaches have been forced to adjust to a season during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, despite the challenges presented, Wilber said she is trying to keep her athletes focused, grateful for the ability to play the game and just have fun while doing it.
"I am telling them to take it one day at a time, make good choices and stay healthy," Wilber mentioned. "Be aware of your surroundings and the way your body feels. We are lucky that we are practicing currently and hoping we can get some matches in. We also just want to enjoy every moment."
No matter what the 2020 season holds in store, one thing is for certain. Coming off their best season in 27 years, the Tigers are hungry to prove it was not just a one-year success. Whether it be the experienced veterans or the players putting on a DWU uniform for the first time, each player is ready to prove themselves, and Wilber is excited to see them improve together.
"The progression of the younger players mixed with the veterans is what I'm most looking forward to," Wilber said. "Seeing how they all mesh and grow as a unit together."