Lancers look to build on last year’s 3A semifinals | News, Sports, Jobs
Submitted photo: The 2024 Canby volleyball team consists of (front row, left to right) Amya Verhelst, Aliyah Rangaard, Addison Driessen, Jaryn Houeman, Olivia Cleveland, Audrey Hentges, (back row) Haley Noyes, Karli Weber, Emily Nelson, Karlie Wollum, Brynn Kockelman, Courtney Antony, Grace Hansen, Hannah Grussing, Shelby Elsing. The team is led by head coach Jenai Wright, assistants Kari Wollum and Lori Rangaard, and team manager Nicole Ratajczak.
CANBY – With a group of returning players and a strong desire to build on last season’s success, the Canby Lancers look to continue building on their momentum and meet their high expectations.
Canby, coached by Jenai Wright and assistants Kari Wollum and Lori Rangaard, finished last season with a 25-9 overall record, a big jump from their 16-15 mark the year before. They were also one set away from advancing to the Section 3A championship game after leading 2-0 against Minneota before losing 3-2 in the subsection championship.
The Lancers, who produced just one graduate transfer last season, Brooklyn Kindopp, are ranked No. 5 in Minnesota’s Class A preseason poll.
“Rankings are something we don’t talk about. It’s actually funny because rankings are there all through the volleyball season and it’s not necessarily the 10 teams we see in Class A at the state level,” said Wright. “For me personally, rankings mean nothing until you qualify for the national championship, and that’s actually one of our goals. We want to make it to the end this year.”
Senior Aliyah Rangaard is the team’s libero this year and led the team last season with 360 digs and 288 assists. Seniors Emily Nelson and Brynn Kockelman will alternate as starters after leading the team with 342 and 358 assists, respectively, surpassing only Kindopp’s 417.
“We have a lot of returnees, last year only one senior graduated. We do have a lot of juniors on this varsity team, but it’s a mix,” said Wright. “We have a freshman (Karli Weber) and some seniors. So we will have a slightly older leadership this year compared to last year.”
Junior Karlie Wollum led the Lancers last season with 290 kills, while Nelson followed with 210 kills. Junior Grace Hansen tied for the most blocks on the team with 48, while Nelson recorded 225 digs.
“We were very lucky to have students in the higher semesters who set the bar very high for everyone,” said Wright. “The culture demands people to work hard and give 100% no matter what happens when they step on the field.”
Canby plans to move forward, not backward, this season, and a key element of their success will be the diversity in their experienced roster.
“There is tension in the air. The girls have high expectations, high goals and we just want to make it this year, and they want to push each other in training,” said Wright. “We have a great selection of hitters, passers, blockers, the whole program. Canby will be a serious opponent this year.”
The team’s captains are Rangaard, Wollum and Nelson. Wright mentioned the close team chemistry that exists within the team, as the girls know how to control the game but also spend time together off the court.
“There are a lot of mistakes in volleyball, but these guys get along well and take each other to the next level,” said Wright. “Effort is contagious and I think we’ve been very, very lucky in Canby in that regard.”
Additionally, since it is a rotation game, the Lancers are also ready to step in when needed and continue to fight for their chances to play.
“We are very fortunate that both sides of the net push each other in training. So if one is sick or one is out, there are many kids who can fill the gaps,” said Wright. “They actually fight for places, support each other and bring that into training every day.”
Canby won seven games in a row last year. To achieve their goals this season, Wright said everyone has to do their part in terms of work ethic, support and competitiveness from the start.
“We have high goals per game, per set… We just want to play really hard, and that’s one of our goals for this season. Just play hard, don’t get complacent and just go out there and get it right away,” said Wright. “We have a very tough conference here in Camden… So it’s very, very tough in our area. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. We like playing against the competition.”
The Lancers began their season on August 22 against Murray County Central, defeating the Rebels in three sets. Their next game is at home against Pipestone Area on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
