Cloquet Volleyball Looking To Overcome Loss Of Seniors

Aug 28

Kerry Rodd-NSO

Last year, the Cloquet volleyball team went 16-13 and made a trip to the Section 7AA semi-finals before falling to the eventual section champion, Hibbing. This year, the Jacks will be saddled with the job of overcoming large losses in personnel and yet still trying for that elusive section title.

“We lost Julia Nell, Elora Meisner, Taylor Sautbine and Katie Lamirande all to graduation,” mentioned Coach Heidi Anderson. “Julia and Elora were both middle hitters so we lost height, but Maddie Kiehn also saw some time in that position as a freshman last year and she is returning.”

The lone returning starter would have been Brianna Henagin, but she elected to not play volleyball her senior season. Henagin had been a two-year starter.

The Jacks do return Katie Schulz and Katie Konietzko on the outside hitting positions and the duo is also extremely good at passing and playing defense as well. Also returning will be Kierra Johnson in the libero position.

Cloquet will look to a pair of seniors, Keanna Karulak and Andrea Bergherr, to be the setters on offense as the Jacks run a 6-2 offensive set.

The team’s fourth senior, Skylar Scheer, could also see some time in the back row as a defensive specialist. Fans can also look for some nice height in underclassman, Kiehn, Jenna Beaupre and Abbi Perenteau who will play alongside starting middle hitter Emily Fossen who is a sophomore.

The Jacks will open tonight at home against Grand Rapids.

Kerry Rodd can be reached at Kerry@northlandsportsonline.com