PAGE 13 FALL SPORTS 2016 Volleyball: Veteran Vermillion Squad Ready For Challenge BY ELYSE BRIGHTMAN Elyse.brightman@plaintalk.net EDITOR’S NOTE: This article originally appeared in the Aug. 23 edition of the Press & Dakotan. Second year volleyball coach Gabi Taggart can boast one thing this year that not many other teams at Vermillion High School can. The Tanagers will have seven seniors on their roster to star the year, enough to fill a starting lineup and then some. And with all the experience this year’s team will bring, Taggart has some expectations of these players. “I told the girls at the beginning of last year and I’m going to tell them again that our goal is to make it to state,” she said. “I already have it booked off in my calendar that I’ll be there.” The coach isn’t the only person expecting a state run this year. The players are hoping to see that out of themselves and, not only do they have experience on the court, but experience playing VERMILLION 8/23 8/27 8/30 9/1 9/6 9/8 9/13 9/17 9/20 9/26 9/27 9/29 10/3 10/4 10/11 10/13 10/15 10/18 10/21 11/1 11/3 11/11 11/17-19 Volleyball vs. Irene-Wakonda Canton Inv. vs. Lennox vs. South Sioux City at Bon Homme vs. Tri-Valley at Madison Cavalier Clash (Tyndall) vs. Tea Area at Wagner vs. S.F. Christian vs. West Central at Elk Point-Jefferson at Dell Rapids at Ponca at Canton Dakota XII (Canton) at Beresford vs. Dakota Valley Region 4A Region 4A Region 4A Final State AA (Watertown) * 9 a.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 8:30 a.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 9 a.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 7 p.m. * - Game held after press deadline together. “Us seniors have been playing together since seventh grade,” said senior Kyleigh Moran. “I think it’s an attribute to our team. It’s going to help us because we’ve been playing together for so long. We basically have an entire varsity squad that has been playing together since seventh grade.” Moran takes up the setter position with Taggart describing her as the “quarterback” of the team, meaning she will be looking to Moran for leadership on the court. “I take very second ball no matter what, even if it’s halfway across the court and I have to set up the hitter so they can make a kill,” Moran said. “I’m always on the court, so I’m kind of there to make sure everyone is in the right spot.” Taggart doesn’t want to rely on just one or two players and has a plan in set to take care of that. She wants players to know they don’t have to specialize in one position, but rather should be able to fill multiple spots on the court. “My goal this year is to have girls on the team that can play multiple positions, so not know if someone is going to get hurt — I hope that doesn’t happen — but knowing that if someone does get hurt or sick, something, that we can have someone to step in right away that is just as talented to fill that position,” Taggart said. Taggart came to Vermillion after spending a few years as the head coach at region powerhouse Dakota Valley, where she coached the Panthers to the state tournament in 2014. In that same year, the Tanagers had just two wins, but ahe is hoping to give this group of seniors that same opportunity. “I would like to try and do whatever I can to get them to have that memory,” she said. In 2015, it took 11 games for Vermillion to see it’s first win, but went on to have a 7-17 overall record under the new coach. Taggart expects to see the improvements made during last season carry over to this season. “The girls responded really well to a new coach,” she said. “We asked them to do some new things and they did that. I feel like they even carried that over into even the first couple of practices at the beginning of this season.” The Tanagers lost in the VHS Girls’ Tennis Team Ready For Challenge BY ELYSE BRIGHTMAN first round of the region tournament to Lennox and are hoping to extend their post season run this season, but the team knows it will take more work than just showing up with a team of seven seniors to get there. “We have a lot of great talent on our team this year, but if they don’t play together as a team and work together then our offense isn’t going to work,” Taggart said. “I really need them to play together as a team and need them to want to win.” Teamwork is something this group of players is familiar with from having played together for so many years, and is something Moran is confident in with her teammates. “We work really well together,” she said. “We back each other up, like if I take the first ball someone is there to get me every time. We communicate really well and I think we work together really well.” Another factor working in Vermillion favor is a readjusting to the region tournament. Typically the Tanagers would have to beat Dakota Valley, whom they have struggled against in the recent past, to earn a spot in the state tournament, but with the reorganizing, that is not necessarily the case anymore. “If we can still play good against them, but not beat them we at least have a chance to still go to state,” Taggart said. Vermillion is looking for a breakout year and with the factors seemingly working in their favor, they are hoping this will be the one. “I think that we have been seen as a team that’s not very good over the past few years,” Moran said. “Now that we have got out stuff together we are a good team. We just need to believe in ourselves.” Vermillion opened the season on Aug. 23 at home against Irene-Wakonda and will have all season to prepare for the only match against Dakota Valley when they close the regular season against the Panthers on Oct. 21 in Vermillion. NEB. GIRLS’ XC Elyse.brightman@plaintalk.net EDITOR’S NOTE: This article originally appeared in the Aug. 20 edition of the Press & Dakotan. With five of six returning varsity players from last season, Vermillion High School girls’ tennis is hoping for the experience to show through to see some wins in matches this year. “A lot of times we have just been over powered and I think that doesn’t need to happen,” said head coach Betsy Hughes. “I think that we can take the court with some confidence and leadership.” Last season proved to be challenging for the Tanagers with only one overall team win, but spirits are high entering 2016. “It was sort of stressful for the whole team, but I think we came out of it well,” said senior Libby Sykes. This season, the Tanagers are looking to play more as a team, which was agreed upon as an aspect they struggled with last year. With a majority of the team returning and five of the six varsity players at the high school age, the aspect of teamwork is looking more promising. “I’m hoping to work more as a team,” said junior Brandi Styles. “Last year we weren’t really working as a team, but this year I’m hoping that we can all bring it together more.” Styles will be starting the season off in the number one singles spot after winning a challenge match during the first couple days of practice. “Brandi plays long points and she is very consistent and Hartington Girls’ Cross Country Team Crofton Vermillion’s Libby Sykes she moves the ball around,” Hughes said. “After our first three matches we will have one last chance for anyone to challenge.” Styles and Sykes will pair up for the number one doubles spot for the first time, but their height and different styles of play will complement each other on the court. “Libby is an aggressive player at the net,” Hughes said. “They both have a lot of height, so I think that they will complement each other because Libby will be more aggressive and Brandi can run down the lobs.” Since tennis does not have classes, Vermillion plays all schools with a tennis program in the eastern part of the state, including much larger teams like Sioux Falls Lincoln and Washington. Those schools are expected to be tough competition for the Tanagers, but they will also face a number of more equally matched teams. “We’ll also play some matches that the skill level will be much more competitive. We’ll play Harrisburg and Madison,” Hughes said. Vermillion handed Harrisburg a 5-4 loss last season for the only overall win. To be competitive with those larger schools, Hughes says the team is working on the basics of play and trying to make those the “natural defaults.” “Sometimes kids get in bad habits at the beginning of the season then it’s really hard to break them as the season goes on,” she said. “We are spending a lot of time making sure we are getting the basics right — and that’s footwork, its’ strategy and where you stand, it’s moving your feet and of course strokes.” The Tanagers opened the season at home against Mitchell on August 18, then traveled to Yankton for a quadrangular on Saturday. Vermillion hosts just three home matches with Mitchell, a triangular on September 6 and a dual with Yankton on September 15. Home matches are currently scheduled to be played at the University of South Dakota tennis courts. things we are working on and the nice part is that she has shown a lot of improvement with just the last week,” FROM PAGE 12 Fitzsimmons said. Carr may not have an Fitzsimmons said. “We are abundance of game-time working on communicating experience, but the defensive and connecting and learning line in front of her is just the each other’s style of play opposite. so that way we can come Vermillion’s defense together as one team and act will be made up of three of as one team and play as one the four returning starting team on game day.” players from last season The team will have just with sophomore Makenna four seniors and a handful of Druecker and seniors Jadia returning players from last Anderson and Maddie Greyear with the two biggest goire. class groups being eight grad“That will definitely still ers and freshmen. Experience be a strength,” Fitzsimmons may not be in their favor, but said. “It has always been a Fitzsimmons says being a strength of our team to have young team isn’t as bad as it a strong defense and I feel may seem. like that will continue into “They are enthusiastic this season.” and they are willing to put Senior Maddie Regnerus in the work and I think that is the fourth returning starter it going to be a huge benefit, who saw significant minutes especially at the end of the season for our team,” she said. Fitzsimmons is putting a lot of trust in the young players with one of the biggest roles on the field being taken over by a freshman. Alex Carr will be stepping into the goalie position. She didn’t 509 Washington St. see any minutes during the season, but did train with the varsity team and, according Gayville, SD to Fitzsimmons, is making strides during the preseason. (605) 267-3100 “There are definitely in the midfield last season and senior Makenna Koble will return to the outside midfield. On offense, Madisen Martinez and Kasey Herbster are expected to see a lot of time up front after earning a good amount of playing time last season. With only a handful of returning players, Fitzsimmons is looking for those returners to teach and guide the new players. “I look for just positive communication and positive action,” she said. “We stress always having a good attitude and giving it your best effort. If you are thinking positive and you’re acting positive and you are willing to give COACH: Jayne Arens ASSISTANT: Jason Arens VITALS: Class D, Mid-State Conference LAST SEASON: To no surprise, last season provided yet another state championship for the Lady Warriors. The 2015 state championship was the tenth in a row for the dynasty. RETURNING: Sam Altwine (Sr.), Krista Zavadil (Sr., 16th Place State Meet); Haley Arens (Jr., Individual State Champion); Hannah Steffen (Jr.); Jessica Lange (Jr.); Mariah Sather (So.); Mikenna Stevens (So.) NEWCOMERS: Mariah Dendeiger (Sr.); Keirra Vornhagen (Fr.); Bailey Neuhalfen (So.) 100 percent effort, even on things that maybe aren’t going so well, eventually those weaknesses will become strengths and that’s what we are looking towards.” The Tanagers’ season runs through September when Garretson comes to Vermillion. The team plays each opponent twice during the regular season with a home and away series. Playoffs begin on Sept. 27 with the state championship game scheduled for Oct. 8 in Sioux Falls. “We are looking for some big things from all of our leaders and we are looking for some unexpected surprises from our young kids,” Fitzsimmons said. Tanagers VERMILLION Girls’ Tennis vs. Mitchell 0-9 at Yankton Quad (0 W, 3L) at Mitchell Tri. * at Harrisburg 4 p.m. vs. Aberdeen/Madison noon at Yankton 4 p.m. Brandon Valley Inv. 9 a.m. at Madison 4 p.m. vs. Yankton 4 p.m. at Washington/vs. Lincoln/ Roncalli 9 a.m. 10/6-8 State (Rapid City) 8/18 8/20 8/23 9/1 9/6 9/8 9/9 9/12 9/15 9/29 * - Event held after press deadline Volleyball 10/24 vs. Canistota 7:30 p.m. vs. Alcester-Hudson 7:30 p.m. at Scotland 7:30 p.m. vs. Freeman 6:15 p.m. at Viborg-Hurley (H) 7:30 p.m. vs. Baltic/vs. Freeman AcademyMarion 5 p.m. at Elkton-Lake Benton Tourn. TBA TVC Tourn. (Freeman) 4:30 p.m. TVC Tourn. (Viborg) 4:30 p.m. at Irene-Wakonda (W) 6:15 p.m. vs. Irene-Wakonda/vs. Menno5 p.m. at Bridgewater-Emery (B) 7:30 p.m. at Andes Central-Dak. Christian Tourn. (LA) 9 a.m. vs. Marty Indian/vs. Omaha Nation 5 p.m. vs. Avon 7:30 p.m. 8/26 at Burke-South Central (B) 9/24 9/29 10/1 10/4 10/6 10/13 10/15 10/18 Football 7 p.m. Crofton’s Haley Arens The girls only graduated one runner. ROSTER: Sydney Christensen (Sr.), Anna Burbach (Sr.), Allie Rosener (Jr.), Karli McCain (Jr.), Jayda Bernecker (Fr.), Sara Reifenrath (Fr.) Vermillion’s Lexi Regnerus (3) GAYVILLE-VOLIN 8/30 9/1 9/6 9/8 9/13 9/15 Hartington COACH: Mandy Hochstein ASSISTANT: Laura Noecker VITALS: Class C, Lewis & Clark Conference LAST YEAR: HartingtonNewcastle-Cedar Catholic won the district title and qualified for the state meet. 9/2 vs. Colome 7 p.m. 9/9 vs. Avon 7 p.m. 9/16 at Andes Central-Dak. Christian (Lake Andes) 7 p.m. 9/30 vs. Tripp-Delmont-Armour 7 p.m. 10/7 vs. Scotland 7 p.m. 10/14 at Garretson 7 p.m. 10/20 at Corsica-Stickney (C) 7 p.m. 8/26 9/2 9/7 9/14 9/19 9/24 p.m. 9/28 9/30 10/5 10/12 10/22 Cross Country Beresford Inv. 10 a.m. Augie Twilight (S.F.) 7:45 p.m. Freeman Academy Inv. 3 p.m. Flyer Inv. (Freeman) 1 p.m. Bon Homme Inv. 2 p.m. Roy Griak Inv. (Minneapolis) 3:30 Parker Inv. Lennox Inv. Tri-Valley Conf. (Irene) Region Meet (Howard) State Meet (Huron) 2 p.m. 4 p.m. 3 p.m. 1:30 p.m. TBA “Memorials of Distinction” Home Office & Carving Center 1609 Broadway Ave. Yankton, SD We Now Offer the Hy-Vee Fuel Saver Discount and Carry Shell High Quality Fuel 800 Summit St., Yankton 665.1085 Formerly Paul’s Kwik Stop 665-3052 Visit us on-line www.LukenMemorials.com Roy Wilcox, Agent 200 W 4th ST Yankton, SD 57078 Bus: 605-665-7140 www.roywilcox.com