Experienced Spartans seek return to State tournament

2022 Record: 31-13 (3-1 Loss to Denver in Regional Final)

Head Coach: Lori Willis 

The past three seasons have seen Grundy Center volleyball reach a Regional final with a chance at returning to State for the first time since 2019. In each of those substate finals, the Spartans fell to a conference rival to come up short of their goal.

“Everything great in this world comes from hard work and determination,” coach Lori Willis said. “We have been doing the hard work for years but the disappointing finishes of the past few have given us determination. There is already a different feel in our gym.”

Even in defeat, the Spartans continued to gain something valuable each season: experience. Seniors Lucy Lebo (314 digs, 84.6 serving percentage, 53 aces), Ellery Luhring (944 assists, 266 digs, 83 blocks 76 kills, 95.2 serving percentage) and 2022 NICL West Carlie Willis (596 kills, 303 digs, 45 blocks, 93.7 serving percentage) have each started the past three seasons. Senior Shirley Monaghan (252 kills, 207 digs, 89 serving percentage) is entering her third season as a starter. Junior Kayden Muller (151 kills, 49 blocks), senior Blessing Edittu (132 digs) and junior Paige Venenga (89 kills, 40 blocks, 89.2 serving percentage) were starters last season.

“They have a veteran mentality and you can feel the difference,” Willis said. “Expectations are high and they have big goals. The leadership is strong. The upperclassmen are showing the younger girls how things are done and at a higher standard. I can tell the girls hit the weight room hard over the past year. Many of the girls are much stronger than they were last year. That strength is going to pay dividends in our defense and offense. I am excited for the potential of our team to be more balanced than it has in the past.”

The Spartans undoubtedly have enough returning offense to get over the hump and hope to diversify their attack beyond Carlie Willis this season. Coach Willis noted that serve receive and communication can always improve.

“Everyone already knows about Carlie and Ellery,” Willis said. “They are our go to players when we need to make a play. Shirley has gained a ton of strength and I look for her to make a big impact in our offense. Paige might be the big surprise to other teams. We will be able to use her in the offense more this year. Lucy has gained more discipline and her defense has stepped up a level.”

Grundy Center will enter the season as favorites to repeat as NICL West champions, but South Hardin also returns much of their roster from last year, AGWSR is inspired after their State semifinal run last season and Gladbrook-Reinbeck will reload with a young rotation. The Spartans will likely face ranked opponents in each of their tournaments over the weekend.

“My goal as a coach is to be consistent and disciplined,” Willis said. “My job is to push them to be their very best and to keep them on the right path, then stay out of their way. If this is achieved, the team will find itself with great opportunities to extend their season as long as possible.” 

Grundy Center volleyball will open its season at home with a quad against AGWSR, Hudson and Waverly-Shell Rock on Tuesday, Aug. 22.