Smoky Valley Volleyball coach Doug Schneider has high expectations for his team this season. “We have six returning players who played significant time last season.” Returning key players from last season include, 1st Team All-CKL setter Adrian Hazelwood who had over 900 assists during her junior season and almost 1,900 assists over the past two seasons. 1st Team All-CKL outside hitter Hope Duncan led the team with 426 kills and 423 digs, and senior Katja Blanchat who was named 1st Team All-CKL for her role in 384 kills as a middle hitter will both be key players for the Vikings this coming fall season. 

Coach Schneider told VYPE to be successful this season “We need to find our groove early. Our season is filled with a number of very difficult matches. We also need to be able to “bring it” night in and night out. Volleyball can be a very demanding sport in certain weeks and we need to be prepared for those demands and be sure we keep our game up at its highest level.” Smoky Valley will play in their very solid league against teams including Hillsboro, Halstead, and Hesston. 

With expectations high for this season, Coach Schneider said, “We want to be playing our very best volleyball in late October and give ourselves a chance to make it back to Hutchinson.” During last year’s volleyball season, the Vikings competed in the state tournament, however, it was not the outcome they had hoped for. “We were all disappointed with how the state tournament went for us last season and we would love to have a chance to get back again this year and have a better outcome.” Smoky Valley opens their season play in late August.