In a sense, this is the end of an era for Devils Lake volleyball.
With high school volleyball in North Dakota changing to a three-class system next year, much like basketball did, the upcoming season will be the Firebirds’ last competing in the EDC. The realignment should cut down significantly on travel time for Devils Lake, and also allow it to compete against smaller, less daunting teams.
“Instead of going to Fargo seven times, just doing nice short trips,” Firebirds head coach Megan Sylling said.
But they still have this season ahead of them. One last ride to prove their worth against some of the best volleyball teams in the state.
And so, on the eve of Devils Lake’s first day of school, the Firebirds went back to work for the start of another season. Practice officially began on Monday, Aug. 19 — the last fall team to start practicing, but also the fall team whose season starts the latest.
“We’re very excited,” Sylling said. “It’s great to be back in the gym with the girls. It’s our last year in EDC, and so we’re looking forward to some great opportunities, playing a lot of challenging teams and just continuing to build on our skills.”
Sylling has been coaching volleyball in the area for seven years, starting with the junior high program. She said she enjoyed it, so when the head coach position became available at Devils Lake, she looked into it and ultimately took the job.
Her first year leading the team was during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“So that was an interesting first year of head coaching,” Sylling said. “But since then, the program’s continued to grow. We really work a lot in the summer. We really push ourselves; we do leagues, we’re doing team camps. And just continuing to give the girls as much court opportunity as possible.”
Last year was a tough one for the Firebirds in the EDC. They went 1-21 overall and 0-17 in region games.
Sylling acknowledged that Devils Lake is at a disadvantage compared to other teams, just in terms of height. But she also wants to see a bit of a change in the squad’s style of play.
“This year, we really want to improve on the girls’ confidence and just continuing to build on that,” Sylling said. “We want to be more known as an aggressive team; a lot of times we’re getting hit at, and of course, that comes with the height.”
This year’s roster has a mix between new and returning players. The Firebirds will return four starters from last year — beginning with senior Torri Fee.
Fee, one of the key players on the 2023-24 state champion basketball team, is the volleyball team’s libero, a defensive specialist who passes and sets up offensive attacks. Fee will be crucial in maintaining the structure of this team.
“She’s one of our main leaders on the court,” Sylling said. “She steps up into a role where everybody follows her, and she just is such a presence on the court.”
Next is Claire Heilman, also a senior and a member of the history-making basketball team. Heilman adds some extra veteran presence and experience to support Fee.
“She’s a major impact on the outside,” Sylling said. “And we might even kinda switch her up and have her play some different positions throughout the year. So we’ll just wait and see how that goes.”
Then there’s Jolie Martinson — also a senior and a basketball player. She’s only a two-year returner, but she’ll be important in filling out the starting lineup.
“She’s excellent on the outside and just brings such a light-heartedness to the team,” Sylling said.
The fourth returning starter is Mia Elsperger, a right-side hitter. Elsperger will be a junior this year.
“She’s really come a long ways in the last couple of years, making some transition and playing a new position in the C spot, and is really making a big impact that way,” Sylling said.
Sylling maintained excitement about some new faces as well. In particular, sophomores Sara Kraft and Kinley Johnson will be thrust into major roles, and Sylling forecasts that they’re “going to make very big names for themselves this season.”
It’ll be a challenge for this team, no doubt, competing in another EDC season. But it’s also an opportunity to go out on high terms, and to make a statement ahead of a much-needed class shift. The core of this team is still one that Sylling is very much excited about, and they’ll have one last chance to prove their skills against high-quality opponents over the upcoming couple of months.
Devils Lake’s first game is scheduled for Sept. 5 on the road against Grand Forks Central. The Firebirds’ first home game is Sept. 10 against West Fargo Horace.
