Lady Bears return three starters

LAUREL — The Laurel-Concord-Coleridge Lady Bears volleyball team returns three starters and six letter winners from last year’s team that posted an 18-13 record.

Head coach Julie Kvols enters her seventh season on the Lady Bears bench.

“Our team goals this year are going to be focused on defense,” Kvols said. “And being a really solid out-of-system team.”

A pair of seniors, Mallory Eriksen and Delaney Johnson, are two of the returning starters at outside hitter and middle hitter, respectively.

Tali Erwin is the third returning starter and will remain at outside hitter.

The returning letter winners include the juniors.

Bailey Graf, a defensive specialist; Lainey Schutte a right-side player; and Avery Hahne, another defensive specialist, should see plenty of action.

Kvols is also looking for four players to figure in the mix for playing time on the varsity.

Freshmen Rena Rasmussen (middle hitter), Carlie Kvols (setter), Kaida Eriksen (right side/outside hitter) and sophomore Tyler Recob (right side hitter) should find the court this season.

LCC will open the season Aug. 24 in a triangular at Battle Creek with West Point-Beemer before a pair of Lewis and Clark Conference matches with Ponca at home on Aug. 29 and on the road at Randolph on Aug. 31.

LCC opens September in a triangular at Walthill on Sept. 5, then the Wakefield Invitational Sept. 7-9.

Tri County Northeast comes to Laurel on Sept. 12 and Plainview follows on Sept. 14.