Photo courtesy of Alexis Peters: The 2023 Yellow Medicine East Sting volleyball team includes front row (L to R): Narria Leenerts, Kiara Sakry, Riley Streich. Middle row: Alana Almich, Abbey Bones, Bayli Sneller, Hanna Bjorndal, Riley Haar. Back row (L to R): assistant coach Amanda Stengel, Ella Cherveny, Klaira Shackelford, Delaney Myers, Lexi Stengel, Ashley Luepke, head coach Alexis Peters, assistant coach Ashley Soine.

GRANITE FALLS –The Yellow Medicine East Sting volleyball team had a year of ups and downs in 2022, posting a 8-16 record but winning an epic five game set in the first round of the playoffs over the Lakeview Lakers. It was a learning experience for now second-year head coach Alexis Peters.

“I think from last season, I learned how to communicate with my players,” Peters said. “Some players take hard coaching and some players take the easier approach of coaching. Another thing I learned to coach my team for the opponent that we are playing. Being able to adapt and come off with different gameplans is something I learned as well. As far as the Lakeview game, yeah that was pretty interesting because we played them a week earlier, beating them in straight sets. It takes a lot of grit for us to come back in five sets. I was a little stunned with us being down two sets to none but was very impressed with the girls in how they came back and won in five sets.”

The Sting lost eight seniors, including the school’s assist record holder in Aria Peters and Ruby Bones. This team will be younger but do have some key returners such as Kiara Sakry and Riley Streich.

“I think she will do very well in that position. She was very good in taking that leadership role because that position is like the QB of our team. Sakry’s going to have to adapt to play all six rotations and it is something she is looking forward to doing,” coach Peters said. “Brianna Hempel, I think she will do very well and also will be one of our leaders. Alana Almich is a sophomore, she is very aggressive and athletic. She has been working hard in the weight room all off-season. We have a lot of young faces on the team. We will be mainly a young group but a lot of potential this year.”

The Sting fell to MACCRAY in the playoffs last season and one of the things coach Peters stressed was the importance of team bonding on and off the court to build chemistry, trust and cohesion. Although they’re a young group, the motivation to be one of the top teams is there and coach Peters won’t temper expectations just because of their age.

“It is very important for us to build our chemistry and that is my main goal,” Alexis Peters said. “It is important for us to build team bonding. This is a new year for us and we lost eight seniors. It will be interesting for us to see how we push through that. I think our big strength will be our defense. Our blocking is better than last year. We are a very scrappy group and it will be fun to watch. Areas of improvement is our offense and very young faces in the front row and with a new setter will take time. Our team chemistry is also something we are working. I think the expectations is to come to the gym and give max effort. We want to get double digits wins and not being in the play in game. I think they have so much potential even though they’re young. I want them to give me everything we have.

We want to get to SMSU.”

The YME Sting kickoff the season hosting the Wabasso Rabbits on Thursday.

“I always look forward to seeing the first game against Wabasso just to see how we match up against them,” Alexis Peters said. ” I am very excited to see this team play.”

The first game is a rematch of last year’s season opener in Wabasso which the Rabbits won in straight sets. 

2023 schedule

Aug. 24 vs. Wabasso, 7:15 p.m.

Aug. 29 at Paynesville, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 8-9 at SMSU (tournament)

Sept. 12 vs. RCW, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 14 at CMC, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 19 vs. Dawson-Boyd, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 21 at KMS, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 26 vs. LQPV, 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 28 at Ortonville, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 3 at Canby, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 5 at Minneota, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 6-7 at Marshall (tournament)

Oct. 10 vs. TMB, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 13 vs. Lakeview, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 14 at Redwood Valley (tournament)

Oct. 16 at WWG, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 17 at MACCRAY, 7:15 p.m.