“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.
