Photo submitted by Becky Reinsma. The 2025 Murray County Central volleyball team consists of Ava Deacon, Addy Dierks, Danyel Neilson, Lila Scandrett, Calleigh Doeden, Erynn Rohrer, Peyton DeGreeff, Katherine Miller, Kate Blankenship, Suttyn Schryvers, Mikayla Reith, Avery Thovson, Reese Gilbertson and Josie Spartz.

SLAYTON — Looking to continue making strides in the right direction with a group of returners after graduating a strong group of four seniors, the Murray County Central volleyball team will have players step up to larger roles with eyes set on a winning season. 

MCC, co-coached by Becky Reinsma and Katie Furth, finished the 2024 season 9-12 overall and were eliminated in the Section 3A subsection quarterfinals by Southwest Minnesota Christian in three sets, despite a close score in all three. 

“Since we started [coaching] the program, we just want to build our team from a better [place],” Reinsma said. “[We want to be] getting better every year, and every year, we have done that so far. So, that’s what we are continuing to do. We just want to move up in the section.” 

The Rebels this season will have players adjusting into different roles, after losing a strong group of seniors in libero Emmi Peltola, setter and right-side hitter Thea Schneider, setter Kelli Miller and hitter Elyse Paulzine. 

“The girls have been practicing really hard, and they are running some plays,” Reinsma said. “They are a good group of girls that have been playing together for quite a while.” 

In particular, Peltola led MCC with a team-high 271 digs along with 21 service aces. Miller finished the year with a team-best 222 assists, to her 113 digs and 13 aces, while Schneider tallied 222 assists, 147 digs, 111 kills, 26 blocks and 20 aces. 

Yet, MCC is still returning a handful of key players looking to lead the Rebels this year including seniors Ava Deacon, Peyton DeGreeff, Kate Blankenship and sophomore Suttyn Schryvers. 

“We will be using everybody,” Reinsma said. “They’re been playing together … They are doing a really good job.” 

Reinsma said Deacon will transition into being the team’s primary libero, who recorded 111 digs last season along with 19 aces and 35 assists. 

The setters will alternate between junior Erynn Rohrer, freshman Avery Thovson and junior Addy Dierks. 

Reinsma added that through preseason camp and practices, the team is “adjusting nicely.” 

DeGreeff, middle blocker, will look to keep her versatility growing this year after finishing with a team-high 42 aces and 46 blocks last season. She also recorded 87 kills and 80 digs. 

Blankenship finished the year off with 229 digs, 92 kills and 16 aces. Schryvers also returns value, who had a team-high 128 kills last season along with her 17 aces, 80 digs and 24 blocks. 

MCC is overall bringing back a lot of experience with nine returners, while also adding a few new players. 

“It’s [preseason] been going really well for us. We have a scrimmage [on Tuesday] at Pipestone,” Reinsma said. “We have a few things to work on here and there, but it’s looking pretty good.” 

The Rebels had a strong start to the 2024 season, winning five of its first seven matches, only one of which went to five sets against Red Rock Central. They carried on with another string of wins at a weekend tournament in September at Bertha-Hewitt, before hitting some challenges come October. 

Prior to sections starting on Oct. 25, MCC went 1-7 in October and ended the season on a seven-game skid. Two of the losses came by the hands of Class A-ranked MACCRAY and Russell-Tyler-Ruthton. 

This is Reinsma and Furth’s fourth season coaching the program together, who took over in 2022. 

Reinsma also noted there are no major injuries to begin the season, and MCC will start with a fully healthy roster. 

The Rebels will open the season at home when it hosts Canby on Tuesday at 7 p.m. 

The two also met in last year’s season opener, with the Lancers coming away with a win in three sets. 

“The girls have their goals and everything to meet. If we can do that, we will be fine and can be a good team,” Reinsma said. “That will be a good start of our season to see where we’re at.” 

MCC will then host Lakeview on Sept. 2, and have its first road game at Dawson-Boyd on Sept. 4, both games with a 7 p.m. start time. 

“[We are] looking forward to still trying to, every year, getting better and better,” Reinsma said. “[We are] improving, and getting into our [rhythm].”