The #5 (2A) Grundy Center volleyball team will begin NICL-West play Tuesday by hosting rival #10 (1A) Gladbrook-Reinbeck. It’ll air on 99 The Wave.
The Spartans began the season with three sweeps in last week’s home quad, and have had a week since to prepare for conference play. Head Coach Lori Willis says experienced setters Lauren Zajac and Caturella Brown have given the team a head start in developing its identity.
“We’re pushing tempo a little bit more because they’re ready for it,” Willis says. “They’re doing a really good job with communication, with connecting with their hitters. They understand that that personal side of the game is really important, and they just have good leadership overall. Cat really connects really well with Ryanne Brubaker. So we have her setting her more than the other middles. And then for the middle right now, it’s kind of crazy. Allie Koch has played multiple roles for us since her freshman year. She was a middle hitter. And then her sophomore year for varsity, we moved her to the right side. And then last year we had her start at the right side, but we ended up moving her to a DS role. And then this year we put her back in the middle. That kid is great. She has such a great attitude.”
Brown and Zajac each recorded 26 assists last week to tie for the team lead.
The Rebels (2-1) are coming off a 2-1 outing at a quad at Maquoketa Valley last week, where they earned quality wins against #11 (2A) Wapsie Valley and #2 (1A) North Tama, but lost to the hosts. Kennedy Brant is back for her senior season after leading the team in kills the previous two seasons.
Coverage will start at 7:15 p.m., followed by the first serve at 7:30.
