Amy Koskela's New York Mills varsity volleyball team will rely on youth and an upbeat attitude to contend in the Park Region Conference and Section 6A play this year.
Koskela, 61-61-4, overall, and the team, come off a 10-12 overall record going 3-3 in the conference last year and finishing in a tough five game match in the first round of the playoffs to Norman County West.
"This year's squad is very young but upbeat," said Koskela. "Megan Cole is our only senior and she's an outstanding leader for the younger girls in our program. Even though this group is young and inexperienced at the varsity level, there's already a sense of team unity because of their participation in Junior Olympic volleyball."
Koskela is willing to admit that this year may be a rebuilding season and looks to create building blocks to success.
"With this being the first year of rebuilding, our aim is to keep setting small goals individually and as a team so that we can celebrate the personal victories we accomplish throughout the season. We won't focus on the amount of wins we attain, but the progress we make throughout the season."
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Bertha-Hewitt and Sebeka have finished atop the Park Region Conference the past three years with NY Mills finishing third.
"I think it will be about the same again this year with some other teams being tough as well, since there were lots of outstanding seniors in our conference last year. I see Ada-Borup being in the top of our section again this year. Their players have an amazing ability to see the whole court. Parkers Prairie should be tough again this year, as well."
Numbers are down compared to prior years and a change has been made to the formation of the younger squads.
According to Activities Director Travis Hensch, low numbers in the volleyball program overall will force NY Mills to not field a C-squad team this season.
Home matches will begin at 6:15 p.m., with the junior varsity game.
Angie Turner and Bobbie Smith will coach the junior varsity squad.
Girls Volleyball Schedule
August
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28 @ Concordia
31 Frazee
September
7 @ Staples-Motley
9 @ Henning
11 @ Pelican Rapids
16 @ Bertha-Hewitt
20 @ Battle Lake
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23 Verndale
25 @ Ulen-Hitterdal
28 Wadena-Deer Creek
30 Sebeka
October
4 Pelican Rapids
5 @ Verndale
7 @ Pillager
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9 @ Bertha-Hewitt
14 Menagha
18 Browerville
