Rebels hit reset with youthful roster

2022 Record: 34-10 (3-2 Loss to Ankeny Christian in 1A State Championship)

Head Coach: Paula Kelley 

For the second time in three seasons, Gladbrook-Reinbeck volleyball reached the Class 1A State championship led by a strong senior class which had come up short of a state title in 2020 as sophomores. Ultimately, the Rebels suffered the same fate in a loss to Ankeny Christian and the Class of 2023 saw their historic run at G-R come to an end.

“The girls put everything they had on the court,” coach Paula Kelley said. “It was a great, but heartbreaking finish for the legacy of that group of seniors.”

The graduation  of last year’s seniors saw 70 percent of their kills and a vast majority of their defensive production go with them. The 2023 Rebels are a “whole different team” in Kelley’s mind going into the season. G-R does return three regular starters from last season in junior Jaden Hansen (115 kills, 53 digs, 16 blocks), junior Lily Dripps (109 kills, 67 digs, 37 blocks) and sophomore Kennedy Brant (186 kills, 55 blocks) who earned Honorable Mention NICL West as a freshman in 2022. Senior Kloie Hendricks and Dylinn Blohm also saw action in matches last season as juniors. 

“This group already has a lot of volleyball knowledge,” Kelley said. “They know where they need to be, where to put the ball. It's just then executing and being consistent with it. Our serving has been very good in the preseason, and that’s an area we pride ourselves on.”

While Kelley feels the Rebels can maintain the same style of play that has helped the program to four state tournaments in the past five seasons, G-R will explore options such as using two setters, with junior Mallory Wrage and freshman Kailey Larson playing the vital position. Kelley predicts that sophomore lefty Elly Sieh will “surprise everyone” this season. 

“We had the chance to get a lot of playing time at camps over the summer and saw a lot of improvement over two days in Johnston recently,” Kelley said. “This year’s seniors are a little quiet, but are learning how to step up and be leaders, whether it is saying or doing something off and on the court. We’re getting better each time we hit the court together as a team.”

The NICL West will see Grundy Center as the preseason favorite to repeat as champions. AGWSR and South Hardin both have key positions to replace like G-R does. Kelley noted the rest of the conference continues to be strong.

“My goal is more of what their goals are,” Kelley said. “What do they want to get out of the season? Obviously, we want to return to State. But before then, we need to prove ourselves. Finish well in tournaments, play competitively with ranked teams, surprise a few teams along the way. Little steps until we get to October and November. 

Gladbrook-Reinbeck volleyball will open its season at Williamsburg on Tuesday, Aug. 29.