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Athletics: Volleyball

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“Small Team, Big Dreams”

by Samantha Ballard

The Raider volleyball team came into the ‘09 season with a few fresh faces and big hopes. Losing only two seniors and returning five juniors, the team had high expectations for the year. The Lady Raiders had their first set of games on September 3 in Mead. After crushing East Butler in straight sets, the Raiders struggled in a match against Cedar Bluffs and were handed their first loss of the season. Following the first, the Raiders suffered a early season slump and lost the next four games against Conestoga, Palmyra, Osceola, and College View Academy.
“We had a rougher start than I anticipated but we’ve made the positive changes we needed to make,” Coach Amy Sund said.


After two rotation changes, the Raiders finally felt they had found the perfect combination and were ready to compete in the annual Cedar Bluffs tournament. But before the tournament the Lady Raiders had to do something they’ve never done before. A 7:30 A.M. practice the day of the tournament followed by their first game at 9:30 A.M. After a few sprints and some drills the team was loaded up, headed to Midland Lutheran College for the tournament. “Every single one of us wanted to come out and dominate at that tournament” said senior captain, Amy Wimer.


Adding a second straight set win to their schedule, the Lady Raiders took down opponent Prague in the first game of the tournament. In round two, the Raiders faced the Cedar Bluffs Wildcats yet again. After an intense match, the Raiders came out on top with a match point kill from senior captain, Samantha Ballard which placed the team in the championship game of the tournament. The Raiders fought the Concordia Mustangs in the championship but fell just short of taking home the title. The team’s spirit was still high, they were more than happy to take home the runner up plaque and a whole new attitude for the season.


“I see them building as a team, I see a lot of wins in the future, and I see them coming together,” Coach Amy Sund said. “We have a lot of leadership on the team, it will start becoming a big part of our wins.”

Title of article quoted from Amy Sund.

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