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FALL PREVIEW: Knights leaning on experience in 2019

Photo by Jake Przytarski The 2019 Russell-Tyler-Ruthton Knights volleyball team includes front row (L to R): Ella Hesse, Maddi Wendland, Kalleigh Carr, Kyah Ellefson and McKinley Schreurs. Back Row (L to R): Kylea Baartman, Rylie Hess, Casey Swanson, Allie Christianson, Haley Muenchow, Madison Witte, Abby Carr and Lexi Schreurs.

TYLER – Excitement is continually building within the Russell-Tyler-Ruthton communities in anticipation of another strong season from the Knights volleyball team that is set to return numerous key starters from last year’s team that finished with an overall record of 18-10 and a deep run in sections.

Coach Daynica Brown anticipates that the experience gained from last year’s season will serve as a strength for her team in knowing what to expect at the varsity level.

“I think this year the area of strength would be experience,” said Brown. “A lot of them have been playing varsity and so they have that experience of knowing what to expect at that level.”

Among the many returners set to make an impact on this year’s team, three seniors will be called upon to lead the way in Kylea Baartman, Rylie Hess and Madison Witte. Brown is counting on the talented group to set an example of how to finish ballgames, as well as how to play hard in each and every game this season in order to prepare for a difficult section.

“I’ve always said this section is so hard and you have some great teams in this section that you have to be ready,” said Brown. “You’re going to have to fight every single game. You have to play hard every single game so I think one of the things to build off is just learning how to finish ballgames.”

With their season opener against Lac qui Parle Valley on Sept. 3 rapidly approaching, Brown has been emphasizing speed and precision with the ball in practice in order to push her players to be their best.

“I think our main focus would be precision and speeding up tempo, especially when you’ve had this talent and the same core team returning. You need to speed up the ball,” said Brown.

Brown hopes that the work put in during practice will pay off in the form of a trip to the state tournament by season’s end.

“We’re very eager (to make it to the state tournament) especially with the same core returning,” said Brown. “We’re excited, I think this year we can compete.”

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