Elder Volleyball, last year’s state champions, are looking to repeat with a redone team.  Last season was the volleyball program’s fifth state championship and the third under Coach Tierney’s tenure.

“Each one is special in its own way,” Coach Tierney said.  “We finished state runner-up in 2013 and had a lot of aspirations and goals for 2014.  However, during the season we had a variety of realities which held us back from playing to our potential.  That all seemed to fade away in the post-season.  I felt we really came together as a team in the post-season and executed our game plans effectively which obviously helped us to be successful.”

Senior Kyle Ackerman agreed, “At the end of the regular season and beginning of the post-season was when we really started to click as a team.  Everything felt natural, and that was perfect timing for us as we started the post-season.”

This year, conditioning has just begun and Elder Volleyball must face new challenges; nine seniors have departed and must be replaced.  Departed players from last year’s squad include Second Team All American Matthew Nortmann, captains (along with Nortmann) Nathan Herdeman and Ben Smith, and heavy hitter Brad Newell.  Coach Tierney admitted last year’s team was senior driven but believes returning players have the ability to make an impact.

“From top to bottom we had quality volleyball players.  So the guys who are returning as seniors this year will be more than ready and capable to step in to fill the shoes of the players who have graduated.  In addition, this year’s junior class also harbors an abundance of talent.  So I am confident we will be able to maintain the quality of play this upcoming season.”

The loss of talent brings a big hit, but the team also loses a sense of leadership.  Coach Tierney hopes that not only current seniors, but this year’s juniors will step up to fill in leadership roles.

While these replacements will be trying, six returning seniors, including last year’s Most Improved Player Ben Luebbe, will fill in the gaps.

Coach Tierney said of the seniors, “Hopefully all the seniors will have a positive impact on the team, no matter what their position.  At this stage in our preparation it is hard to specify which individuals will be the biggest contributors through their play or their leadership.  However, I do know that all of the returning players have tremendous potential to make a positive contribution to our team’s success.  They each bring a tremendous attitude and work ethic.  They also bring the experience and knowledge of what it is going to take to compete at the highest level in the state.”

Kyle Ackerman added that he personally will play a leadership role by working hard and pushing others to do the same.

Ackerman also feels confident about the upcoming season saying, “We have great potential with the returning seniors, and our junior class is very solid as well.  We will have a strong team again this year with a lot of potential.  However, we will need to prove ourselves first and not simply expect to win every game.”

Junior Jared Malott believes student cheering sections will improve play. “Student cheering sections are rare at Elder Volleyball games.  When the guys are backing us up, the atmosphere created is totally different in the gym.  We are playing for more than ourselves at that point.  We are playing for them.”

Coach Tierney also trusts in the cheering section power.  He believes the cheering sections add intensity and produce an elevated atmosphere.

The upcoming season is sure to be exciting.  Look out for the influence of the returning seniors and the players promoted from the undefeated Junior Varsity team.  Go out and cheer as Elder hunts for another state championship and GCL run against arch-rival and last year’s state runner-up St. Xavier Bombers.

Also look out for Ackerman’s flow game.  “The flow will be just as great as last year.  No doubt about that.”