Volleyball dazzled this season

Though the season didn't end the way the Scotties may have wanted, the 2009 Volleyball season as a whole was a rousing success.

The Scotties had a fantastic season, winning District 2B and placing third in the Northern Division to take their first trip to the State Playoffs in five years.

The girls were world beaters for most of the season, starting the year in a bevy of tough tournaments, and coming out near the top despite a young inexperienced team.

At the beginning of the year most of the questions surrounding the team were at the net, though those questions were answered quickly. Having to replace a setter and outside hitter, seniors Shielda Pattison, Erin Bell and Taylor Markle filled in the roles superbly, giving the Scotties one of the most dominant front lines in the division.

Bell, who was named to the All-State team at the Fall Sports Awards Ceremony last night, was a surefire kill nearly every time the ball was set her way and kept up her blistering pace even as teams began to slide the block to her side of the net.

Of course, setting the balls her way was Pattison, who did a great job of placing the ball in the wheel house of every Scotty hitter this season. Near the end of the season she also became a dual threat, catching opponents off guard and hitting the ball over when teams slid to cover the bigger hitters.

Markle and fellow senior Jess Mehling, who battled an injured leg for much of the season, proved to be go-to hitters on the other side of the net, hitting the ball hard and drawing away defenses from focusing on Bell. Markle made first team all-conference and Pattison was named to the second team.

The four seniors accounted for most of the offense this season and will be missed when the Scotties take the court again next fall, but don't expect for the cupboard to be left bare for next season.

“We will definitely miss the seniors because they provided a lot of offense and a lot of leadership,” head coach Lori Dailey said. “But, I don't think we'll just fall down and collapse.”

The Scotties are left with seven returning players and will have plenty of talent in the back row and on the block up front.

Juniors Sarah Cassel and Kaitlin Hagfeldt played very well in the back row and were key to the Scotties solid passing game all season. Sophomore Shannon Saxbury, who filled in nicely during the Scotties tournament run, should also be back. Their return should allow the team to keep a consistent passing game next season and allow the offense to flow smoothly from the start.

The Scotties are also returning with plenty of size up front. Four juniors are at least 5-foot-8 or taller, which should make the team pretty imposing to the opposition.

Shelby Fossum and Hanna Schultz were among the team leaders in blocks on the season and Marina Hansen and Tiffany Wetzel provided some good play in their time on the court. Fossum was named second team all-conference.

For the second season in a row the Scotties will be looking for a setter, but considering the results this year, there probably won't be too much issue there. If one of the juniors can find a power stroke in the offseason, and there's plenty of potential, the Scotties will be just as good or better next season.