RPAC Rundown Featured Matchup Volleyball Preview: Wauneta-Palisade at Hitchcock County

Volleyball season is back this week, and we start at Hitchcock County, which hosts Wauneta-Palisade on Thursday, August 27th, with JV action beginning at 5:00 PM CT and Varsity to follow.

Wauneta-Palisade

The Broncos finished last season with a 20-12 record, ending in the D1-2 District Final Match against Overton. They lost several key contributors to graduation but return key pieces from last season. It will be a puzzle to fit the right lineup together and see what works with new contributors and girls making offseason improvements.

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Head Coach Dakota West said, "We look to enter the season with a strong focus on growth, teamwork, and consistency... With a mix of returning players and upcoming talent, the team looks to build on past experience while developing confidence in key moments. This year we need to focus on limiting unforced errors and staying confident in late-game situations. After graduating four starters, underclassmen and newcomers are expected to take on larger roles while our returning players look to step into new leadership positions."

She also added, "I’m super excited to get the season started. The girls have been working super hard in the off-season, and with a few girls playing new positions, I’m excited to see how everything comes together. One of the main things that we need to focus on starting out the season is staying consistent from start to finish. We have a tendency to start out strong, lose focus, and struggle late in games. If we can focus on finishing games we can compete with anyone."

Returners from last year are seniors Emma Acton, LiLeigh Littrel, Addy Einspahr, and Kenzie Bardsley, juniors Molly Yearous and Kamryn Fanning, and sophomore Kaia Applegarth.

Wauneta-Palisade totaled 79 sets played and averaged 10.6 kills per set, 3.2 aces per set, totaled 89 blocks as a team, totaled 1,715 digs as a team, and averaged 8.9 assists per set.

This season, they are in the D1-11 District with Cambridge, Dundy County Stratton, and Southwest.

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Hitchcock County

The Falcons finished last season with a 12-21 record. The season ended with a loss to Dundy County Stratton in the D2-9 Subdistrict final. Hitchcock County lost a large group of seniors to graduation, so this year's squad will be very young. However, they return their two setters from a season ago, which will make the transition smoother.

Head Coach Lisa Spencer said, "This season brings a younger group to the court, but what they may lack in experience, they make up for with determination, effort, and a willingness to improve every day. We are excited to watch them grow together, embrace challenges, and continue building a strong foundation. We had a large group of seniors leave us. But returning our two setters will be very helpful."

Returning for the Falcons will be senior Jayda Wood, junior Katelyn Cook, and sophomore Kalissa Hagan.

Hitchcock County played in 88 sets a season ago and averaged 10.7 kills per set, 2.3 aces per set, totaled 103 blocks, totaled 2,024 digs, and averaged 9.5 assists per set.

This season, they are in the D2-9 District with Medicine Valley, Paxton, Sutherland, and Wallace.