Photo by Sam Thiel The 2019 Dawson-Boyd volleyball team includes front row (L to R): Elly Stratmoen, Grace Johnson, Tarah Johnson, Avery Bartunek, Rachel Hahn and Amelia Olson. Back Row (L to R): Kate Dahl, Karoline Dahl, Morgan Wente, Kyndall Franzky, Ella Mork and Megan Mamer.

DAWSON – The 2018 season for the Dawson-Boyd Blackjacks volleyball team was filled with plenty of ups and downs as illustrated by an 11-game losing streak between September and early October that helped spark a late-season surge in which the group closed out their schedule winning four of their last seven games.

Hoping to build off of the success of the latter portion of their schedule, second-year head coach Andrea Lee has been trying to build confidence within the team during practices as well as consistency among the experienced and non-experienced players.

“My main focus for these two weeks of practice before the season is to build the players confidence,” said Lee. “I will have a few seasoned players as well as a lot of non-seasoned players, so to create a good consistency on the court will be the main focus.”

The Blackjacks will be led by five seniors and three key returning varsity members, including senior middle blocker Avery Bartunek, sophomore defensive specialist Tarah Johnson and junior outside hitter Karoline Dahl.

With the talented group aware of what to expect after a year of playing under Lee, the goal is to build off what they learned from last year and push them even harder this season.

“I hope to take what I coached the girls last year and build off it by progressing and pushing the girls even harder this season,” said Lee.

When it’s all said and done, Lee hopes to see a consistent and well-rounded team that is successful on and off the court.

“I want to get out of this season a consistent team,” said Lee. “Not necessarily consistently winning, but being successful in other ways as well. I hope to build a strong, well-rounded team.”