After qualifying for the state volleyball tournament in 2021, Aberdeen Christian is looking to continue to build up its program.

The Knights were forced to play younger players last year after losing most of their state tourney squad, and coach Sara Powell has big expectations for this season now that the team has gained more experience.

“I told my girls I’m expecting a lot from them this year,” Powell said. “I feel like we’ve really improved in the last year. I’m excited for this season this year. I think there’s a lot of growth. It’ll be good.”

Powell, who begins her second year as head coach of the Knights, said there are several young players that will play a major role at the varsity level.

“I have an eighth-grader that’s going to be an outstanding addition to our team,” Powell said. “I have a huge freshman group that’s going to play a huge role in the varsity level, too.”

The Knights bring back a key front row player in senior Chloe Bosma, along with a top back row member in Alexis Isakson.

“My outside hitter Chloe Bosma was one of our top hitters last year,” Powell said. “Alexis Isakson on our defense – she’s our Libero – she pretty much can get up any ball. She’s fun to watch.”

The freshman class also features players who saw major minutes last year, including Jolie Fogarty and Payton Skarin.

“Jolie Fogarty – she’s our setter – I’m often going to have her be hitting on the right side. This year I’m going to be running a 6-2, so I’m excited about that so I can get her hitting, because she has an amazing arm,” Powell said. “Payton Skarin – she’s my other outside (hitter) – she’s really improved this last year. It’ll be fun seeing those girls come back and play even better than last year.”

Powell is also looking forward to bringing in some size to the varsity lineup this season in eighth-grader Arianna Johnson.

“She’s going be my middle player most likely. She is probably close to six-foot,” Powell said. “She has shown huge improvement. She’s put in the work in the offseason this year. She’s looking good. I’m excited to see her excel.”

While Powell does not have her sights set on any particular opponents, she said the first match against two-time defending Class B champion and perennial power Warner is who the team is focused on.

“My goal for them is to go in and just play their hearts out with that team and know that we’re going to have improved from last year, and just do the best they can,” Powell said.

Powell says she expects the Knights to compete with many teams this season and improve from last year.

“I really think that we’re going to be able to compete with a lot of these teams that we did struggle with last year,” Powell said. “I foresee us doing really well this year, just even improving throughout the season, too.”

While Powell expects improvement throughout the season, the team has also been improving over the course of the summer through several activities and camps.

“Once a week we had lifting. We had open gym once a week. We did a Monday night league every Monday at Matchbox,” Powell said. “We did two camps – one we hosted ourselves and had a couple of the coaches from Matchbox come in and go through stuff with them, and then we went to Harrisburg and competed with some AA schools to get them more competition, and that was really fun. So, these girls have been working hard all summer.”

With all of the offseason preparation completed, the team is now looking forward to the season. While the ultimate goal is to get back to the state tournament, Powell says her goal is to see the team improve in each match.

“Just seeing the team work together and just being a good teammate is a huge thing for me,” Powell said. “My goal for them is I want them just to continue working hard as a team and each game do better. Find something that you did really (well) and improve it, and just keep moving forward as a group.”