Coming off of another strong season in which they posted a record of 22-5 and were Gateway Athletic Conference (GAC) champions for the second time in three years, the Warrenton girls volleyball team is set to continue its strong tradition in 2021.

“We expect to post a similar record this fall,” said head coach Randy Kindschuh. “Barring injuries, we should be pretty tough in all phases of the game and hope to contend for a conference and district title.”

There are plenty of outstanding players coming back from last year, including senior Josey Schipper, an outside hitter who was first-team All-GAC, first-team All-District, was second on the team with 185 kills, and was a six rotation player who posted a passing score of over 2.0.

“She is also an outstanding server,” said Kindschuh. “Josey is one we will count on this fall, she has an electric arm and can score from various angles.”
Also coming back is senior Alyssa Bruce, who was first-team All-GAC and first-team All-District last season. She led the team in digs and in passing with a score of 2.39.

“She was our leading point scorer at the service line with 190 points and 54 aces,” said Kindschuh. “Alyssa is currently the all time leading scorer and ace producer in those two categories. She is the glue that holds our team together.”

Senior Abby Hammerberg, a setter, is another returning Warrior. Last season, she was second-team All-GAC and second-team All-District.

“This will be Abby’s third year starting at setter,” said Kindschuh. “She is currently the all time leader in set assists for the Warriors . She holds the single season record for ace serves with 70 (set last year). Abby is very steady and is a great leader on the floor.”

Yet another returning senior is Ella Smith, a side hitter, who was second-team All-District in 2020.

“She was our third leading hitter last year and among the leaders in blocks,” said Kindschuh. “Ella has gotten much stronger this offseason and will be a big part of our offense.”

New to the team in 2021 are senior Olivia Morgan, junior Zoe Klaus, junior Kaelyn Meyer, senior Hannah Stevens, and junior Emily Likes. Each of them will have an important role for the 2021 Warriors.

“Olivia played a bulk of the time on junior varsity last year but stepped up big on varsity late in the season when we were hit with Covid,” said Kindschuh. “She will start as an outside hitter and we hope to see as a six rotation player. She is one of our top weapons from the service line with the ability to attack all zones on the opponent's side of the floor.”

Klaus will be asked to step in as a middle hitter after the Warriors graduated three players from that position.

“Zoe has really worked on her game and is a weapon we will use out of the middle,” said Kindschuh. “She is a good server and better than average blocker.”
Meyer will also be a middle hitter this season. “Kaelyn's strength is in the block and she is getting better as an attacker,” said Kindschuh. “She is a student of the game and very coachable.”

Ready to step in at the other right side hitting position opposite of Smith is Stevens, who Kindschuh noted is very quick and is someone who “packs a pretty good punch” in her attack. “She played most of the year on the junior varsity team (in 2020),” noted the Warriors coach. “She is ready to contribute to the varsity team.”

Likes will be the other half of the “6-2 offense” as a setter.

Kindschuh knows that there will be early interest in a team that is full of good students as well as players.

“Questions about a run at another conference title will come soon as we play conference nemesis Winfield in the first game of the season,” he said. “In addition to their athletic prowess, most of the aforementioned girls were Academic All-State last year, so they get the job done on and off the court.”