The Broadus 6th/7th grade volleyball club team were Gold Medal Winners at Colstrip, on May 2nd. Pictured are left to right: Coach Raevyn Slovek, Kassie Hagedorn, Macyn McDowell, Gracie Gali, Laney Williams, Kayleigh Opstedahl, Tayla Randall, Shaylee Bilbrey, Gracey Bradley, and Addison Draine. (Photo courtesy Libby Nisley)
By: Libby Nisley, Club Administrator
The volleyball club had a great season this year after a disappointing cancellation due to COVID last year. The first tournament was in Sturgis on April 10th. The 16s group won the championship against some tough competition from Rapid City, Gillette, Billings and Sturgis in a 9 team competition. Players included Aspen and Abi Krantz, Zeason & Oliveah Schaffer, Lauryn Billing, Mia Mader, Graci Barbero, Lucinda Cain, and Ciara McDowell. They were coached by Kristie Lanke.
The 14s team won the silver bracket against teams from many of the same towns. Raevyn Slovek coached the team consisting of Alivia Landa, Kensi Emmons, Maggie Mader, Shaylee Bilbrey, Terryn Yonkee, Macyn McDowell, Gracey Bradley, Tayla Randall, and Kayleigh Opstedahl. The young 6/7th grade team truly played tough against many 8th grade team opponents!
Finally, the 12s teams, coached by Cody Kinzer & Kylie Yurian played tough in a round robin style tournament. Athletes competing were Sammie Hart, Delaney Ruland, Addison Harper, Maddie Brownfield, Tenley Yonkee, Alexis Gotfredson, Maddie Kramme, Rachel Rosencranz, Emelyn Harper, Addison Draine, Laney Williams, Addison Randall, Bonita Kinzer, Kassie Hagedorn, Ava Landa, and Peyton Simmons.
The following weekend, the 14s took off to Colstrip to take on a tough field of Billings, Colstrip, Forsyth, and Lockwood teams. Although much younger and smaller than the primarily 8th grade competition, our girls held tough throughout the day. I had the blessing of coaching Gracie Gali, Kayleigh Opstedahl, Macyn McDowell, Kensi Emmons, Tayla Randall, Shaylee Bilbrey, Maggie Mader, Terryn Yonkee, and Gracey Bradley.
Then, on April 24th, two teams competed in Spearfish. The 5th grade team, coached by Raevyn, was seeded as the 3rd place team heading into the bracket based on their phenomenal play during the pool play. I stepped in to coach our 4/6/7th grade team, which squeaked by the competition to take home gold medals.
Finally, we ended our season with 3rd and 1st place finishes in Colstrip on May 2nd. The 5th grade team coached by Cody again took 3rd place honors in the gold bracket, while the 6/7th team blew away the competition for a first place win under Raevyn's coaching.
Overall, it was a great season of learning the fundamentals of the game, increasing volleyball knowledge, and gaining game experience that should translate into strong programs for our junior high and high school in the future. Big thanks go out to our coaches including Raevyn, Cody, Kylie, and Kristie, as well as the parents and community for your support.
Reader Comments(0)