Wayne State Volleyball Looks To Get Back Into Postseason-Mode

 

WAYNE – With the Wayne State College volleyball program set to begin their season on the road in early September, Monday late afternoon also marked media day for Wildcat volleyball.

From Rice Auditorium on the campus of Wayne State College, head coach Scott Kneifl will be entering his 15th season with the program. Coach Kneifl would like to see this team make it back to the NCAA tournament.

“We’ve not gone for the past couple of years and that’s a rare thing for our program,” said coach Kneifl. “So, to find a way to get back in to the NCAA tournament, to be competitive and vie for a spot to make the Elite 8 is our ultimate goal.”

The team began practice last Wednesday and the group will return all starters but their setter.

Kim DePew is back as an assistant with coaching assistants John Petersen and Katie Morris on the staff. Coach Kneifl also added the team is the most physical they’ve ever been as five girls touch over 10’ and a freshman broke the jump-touch record of 10’5”.

Last season, WSC went 22-9 overall and 13-7 in the NSIC but were swept in the first round of the NSIC Tourney by Southwest Minnesota State. The ‘Cats are listed fourth in the 2019 NSIC preseason volleyball coaches poll with junior Jaci Brahmer selected as the player to watch.

Senior middle hitter Tarrin Beller added she’s excited when it comes to league play.

“Just always playing against our conference opponents,” Bellar added. “We have a really good conference and we’re really competitive, so that’s always fun to look forward to.”

Senior outside hitter Katie Stephens said she wants her teammates to bring their competitive spirit.

“Just fighting for a spot, fighting for that time the court,” Stephens mentioned. “Then when you get that, everyone supporting everyone and just doing the best we can since we’re so deep and we could do really well this year.”

Senior libero Haley Kauth talked about what she likes best playing at home as junior middle hitter Jaci Brahmer, who is coming off an ankle sprain, said they’re are reaching out to the community to come out and get involved during their matches at Rice Auditorium.

“I just love playing with the girls on this team and then in front of our classmates and Wayne is just a good community to be in, so it’s fun to be in front of everyone,” Kauth added. “Like our professors and the students on campus,” said Brahmer. “So I hope that is a good turnout and we play in front of a lot people and just have fund and let the people have fun watching us.”

The Wayne State College volleyball team will open their 2019 campaign on Friday and Saturday, September 6-7 in Joplin, Missouri. WSC will face Cameron University and Southwestern Oklahoma State University Friday before taking on Black Hills State (S.D.) and Colorado State University – Pueblo Saturday.

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