Britton-Hecla volleyball players celebrated a point during a regular season match. From left to right are Katee Freeman, Jayden Bender, Kaegan Fredrickson, Tiyanna Schott, Sterling Brassfield, and Emma Kraft.
Lady Braves ‘Competed’
The Britton-Hecla volleyball squad’s season mark of 8-19 wasn’t what the Lady Braves’ were hoping for, but Coach Megan Ochsner was pleased with her team’s work ethic this season and the improvement shown during the year.
“I am really impressed by how our team was able to compete each and every game,” added Ochsner. “They really stuck with each other and worked hard every day. This says a lot about our seniors and captains. They are really respected but also treat their teammates with respect, too.”
The Lady Braves will lose four seniors via graduation – Katee Freeman, McKaelyn Zuehlke, Alyssa James, and Ellie Feldhaus. Freeman and James were regulars with Freeman the top serve receiver from her libero spot, and James led the team in the 151 kills for the season.
“As the year went on our serves were more consistent and we weren’t making errors that we could control,” concluded Ochsner. “Our girls stayed aggressive all year and I think we had a solid defense and passing game as well.”
B-H ended up hitting 86.4% of its serves with 218 aces, and was 81.8% on spike attempts with 526 kills.
Of those with at least 100 serve attempts James had the top percentage at 91%, hitting 204-224 and being credited with 37 aces. Tiyanna Schott recorded the most aces with 39 on 192-227 for 85%. Jayden Bender had the most serves at 304, hitting 266 for 88% and 34 aces. Ellie Feldhaus came on strong at the service line and connected on 155-183 for 85% and 36 aces.
Emma Kraft hit 89% of her serves, 155-174 with 19 aces; Kaegan Fredrickson was 161189 for 85% and 11 aces; and Sterling Brassfield 89-104 for 86% and 12 aces.
James led B-H at the net, hitting 491-560 spike attempts for 88% and 151 kills. Brassfield had 108 kills on 334428 for 78%, and Fredrickson added 105 kills, hitting 317390 for 81%.
Others with at least 100 spike attempts included Schott, 225-291 for 77% and 49 kills; Kraft, 179-236 for 76% and 47 kills; Bender, 135-150 for 90% and 21 kills; and Freeman with 109-140 for 78% and 17 kills.
Bender was the top setter with 271 assists, while Heather Storbakken was credited with 135 assists. Freeman led the team in digs with 308, Fredrickson had 160, Bender had 124, Storbakken 79, Schott 62, Addison Wade 59, James 55, and Brassfield 52.
James was the top blocker at the net with 16 solo blocks and 15 assists. Schott had seven solo and 13 assists, Kraft one solo and 27 assists, and Brassfield two solos and 10 assists.