DEVILS LAKE – Aug. 26.
The B Volleyball side of the athletic coin – particularly Region 4 – will officially begin during the date.
So, what players should you keep an eye on within the region as the season finds legs and goes off to the races?
Here are three Region 4 players to watch this season:
1. Cora Badding, Middle Hitter, Langdon Area/Edmore/Munich
Badding’s 126 kills during the 2021 season might not sound like much, especially considering Morgan Freije, Morgan Thielbar and Marlee Hetletved all tallied more (647, 198 and 134, respectively). But best to remember the context. After all, Badding went down with injury barely a month into the 2021 season.
Moving into 2022, it will be full steam ahead for Badding. The scoring opportunities will be there – Freije, Thielbar and Hetletved all graduated the high school ranks. Should the Cardinals wish to make the NDHSAA Class B Volleyball State Championship for the third time in four years, Badding will be a critical part of such a run.
2. Kelsie Belquist, Outside Hitter, New Rockford-Sheyenne
Belquist’s 366 kills last season ranked first on the team. The intangible factors – including the fact that Belquist is a junior – might play an even more prominent role than the scoring capabilities. Anchoring down the outside portion of the net will allow Ava Peterson (a freshman) to grow beside her and also allow Madisen Myhre to remain a middle hitter.
3. Jalynn Swanson, Setter, Langdon Area/Edmore/Munich
While it was already mentioned, it is worth repeating – the Cardinals will look for as much firepower as they can muster. Badding will provide a heavy dose of it, but Swanson will supplement the need, too. As a sophomore, Swanson collected 1,036 assists, which ranked first on the team.
If a setter amasses a ton of assists, then they are doing their job correctly. But without Freije or Thielbar, Swanson – now a junior – will also be leaned on to help amass as many aces as possible. Swanson’s 75 aces ranked third on the team last year, behind Freije (99) and Thielbar (93). Swanson, the ace floor is now officially yours to lead.
Bonus: Payton Harpestad, Outside Hitter, North Star
Asking anyone to replicate Danielle Hagler’s 2021 season wouldn’t be fair to the up-and-coming player. Hagler’s team-high 751 kills during the 2021 season’s entirety would be the first telltale sign. The second would be her 450 digs, which ranked second on the team behind Gracie Miller’s 541.
As such, 2022 will be one of interest from start to finish for the Bearcats. Hagler has since graduated. And so, it will be up to those behind her to pick up the slack. As a junior this season, Harpestad factors into that equation ten-fold. As a sophomore, Harpestad compiled 105 kills, which ranked third on the team behind Hagler and Elle Nicholas (131). It only makes sense to look for Harpestad to be utilized in a heavier role this season. Should Harpestad trim down the errors (her 93 errors ranked second, behind Hagler’s 165, albeit in less playing time), the Bearcats could help smooth the transition to life without Hagler.
Double Bonus: Kaiya O’Connor, Setter, New Rockford-Sheyenne
Let’s start with the obvious – the Rockets will look different this year. Losing six players to graduation – including two of their three defensive specialists in Alexa Holth and Delana Thomas – will leave a mark.
But the Rockets won’t be left in the dust entirely. Four starters return, including O’Connor. As a freshman setter, O’Connor compiled 730 assists and 43 aces last season. The latter total ranked third on the team. Kennedy Demester and Mya Cudworth ranked first and second with 62 and 44, respectively. But without Demester and Cudworth in the fold this season (graduation), O’Connor will have an even more significant role. The ceiling is limitless for the second-year setter.
John Crane is a sports/general assignment reporter for the Devils Lake Journal. Feel free to contact John via work phone (701-922-1372), cell phone (701-230-4339), email (jcrane@gannett.com) or Twitter (@johncranesports) with any story ideas.
