Fall Preview: St. Michael-Albertville Netters Set to Soar

Producing Division I talent and claiming conference championships are signs of a program that can dominate, and the volleyball program hasn't disappointed.

But last year was a bit of a hiccup, with just an 18-11 record and a loss in the section tournament ending the 2010 campaign earlier than most expected.

Now, in its second season under head coach Ryan Dehnel, the Knights will have to dig deep to continue its run of success, as it reloads from some significant losses last season.

"There was a loss of experience at the end of last year, and some girls are going to have to step into some new roles," Dehnel said. "I think we can still be strong. There's a nucleus there, and our team has some really good chemistry. But there is going to be more of a challenge out there for us than in 2010."

One of those players ready to step up is Paige Nelles, who was sidelined last season by a concussion. The third-year varsity player and senior is a versatile player, who can play outside or on defense.

"This is a really close group," Nelles said. "I think everyone knows that we have to have that if we want to have a better season, and get back to the state tournament."

Candice Yager, a junior, is an outside hitter and fellow captain. Dehnel said he's expecting her to play at a "high level" this season, her second on the outside. Yager delivered with nine kills and four blocks in the season opener, a 3-2 win over Moorhead.

"We're getting a lot better with each practice," Yager said. "I think, overall, we're connecting as a team really well. We have some new varsity players this season but they're coming along. It's kind of surprising."

The team built some chemistry through a trip to a ropes course and a camping (varsity only) trip with 10 girls in a tent.

But the squad will need more than chemistry to find its way to state, with a new section (Section 5AA) awaiting at the end of the season.

"It's good timing for us, we think," Dehnel said. "This is a team that can progressively get better. We want to play our best at the end. We'll see some of those teams throughout the season, too. So it's going to be a good test."

St. Michael-Albertville will host a slew of those 5AA teams in October, when it launches the first-ever STMA volleyball tournament. More than a dozen AA teams are invited to that event, which tips off Oct. 7 at the high school.

After dumping the Spuds–led by Erin Hoffard and Jennifer Olejar's 10 kills each–the Knights take on Sauk Rapids-Rice at 7 p.m. Tuesday (tomorrow) in St. Michael.

"I think we learned a lot from last season," Nelles said. "You don't wipe the slate clean. You learn. We've prepared and we're very intense in practice right now. We want to get going right away."