By John Molene

Park fielded a strong volleyball team last season and will likely be good again this fall. The big question being how good the Wolfpack can be. Park went 16-11 last season and finished 4-5 in the Suburban East Conference. Park lost at Rosemount in the first round of section play.

“When a team is as talented as this year’s team, really the biggest weaknesses is ourselves,” said head coach Amy Johnson, who enters her third season back in her second go-round as Park’s top volleyball coach. “We need to make sure that the comfort we have together does not translate to complacency. In other words, we need to continue the hard work in our gym to build on past success. For us, this will really be more on the mental side of the game. Consistency in our level of play will dedicate the success we will be able to accomplish.”

Missing from that team is top player and outside hitter Emma Slusser, along with outside hitter Audrey Sease, DS Gracy Natterstad and Ava Katlack and setter Ajah Lindow.

“This season our strength is our offense,” Johnson said. “We have many talented hitters that will allow for us to have a balanced attack. Our team has also grown in confidence. Many of the core players (Kendall, Cami, Megan) have played on varsity for three years and Addy is returning for her second year as our primary setter. This group of 12th graders have been playing together for so many years and that brings a sense of comfort and understanding of each other. This leads to teamwork that is quite frankly unprecedented. They are such a fun group of girls to coach and spend time in the gym with.”

Park returns four of its top six hitters, leading setter in Addy Glide, as well as top defenders along both the front and back lines.

But the Wolfpack are loaded with retuning talent. Here’s how coach Johnson describes the returners.

Sonja Lind, 10th grade middle

• Strong middle. She provides a presence in the middle both as an offensive threat, but also as a blocker. We also really like what she is doing for us in the back row as a passer and defender.

Carly Slusser, 10th grade middle

• Powerful hitter. She really packs a punch. She is also a fantastic blocker. She can really cause an opposing team some challenges when at the net.

Camden Kemmetmueller, 12th right side

• Cami is a steady front row player. She has an energy that is infectious. Not only is she a threat on the right side, but she lifts her teammates and helps them to be the best they can be.

Addy Gilde, 12th setter

• Addy has great hands. She consistently delivers our hitters sets that they can put away. Even when the pass is not on target, her hustle to the ball is commendable. She is also that steady, levelheaded leadership every team needs. She keeps our team always moving forward with positive energy.

Kendall Lewis, 12th middle • Kendall is a versatile hitter/blocker. With her in the front row we have the ability to move around the offense. It does not matter where she is hitting or blocking from, she is an absolute threat.

Megan Husaby, 12th libero

• Outstanding passer/ defense. She gets to balls most players cannot. She is explosive in her movements. There are not many balls that get past her. If it does, it takes that opposing hitter everything they have to get the kill. Megan never gives up on a play. As the player that is in a position to be the primary fist contact person, that mental attitude is critical.

Skyler Croker, OH

• Sky is a player that can also be a versatile player. She has fantastic ball control in both passing and hitter. She is one of the smartest players on the team. She can see holes in the opponent’s defense and understands how to exploit that.

There’s also a foursome of top newcomers to add to the mix: Juliana Field, 12th M/OH

• Jules is a newcomer to the varsity main rotation. She has a strong attack and brings another level of athleticism to our gym. She is quick and can really put a defense on their heels.

Ella Hoge, 12th DS

• Fantastic passer and brings an energy that keeps us focused.

Hannah Maxwell, 10th S

• Up and coming setter. She will provide a depth to the setting position and will give up options. Especially as a setter that can also block and hit when needed.

Rainna Jameson, 10th OH/M

• Outstanding athlete. She has a vertical that is insane…. with the height in her jump, she also has great timing on her hitting. Like Hannah, Rainna gives up depth on our bench. She can literally play any position along the front row and when called upon can deliver what our team needs in that moment.

Asked what would make for a successful fall season, Johnson said: “As always, for us the biggest measure of success is level of competitive play. We want to make every match competitive. We want to always be in a position in which we can win. Now, sometimes, the match might end in a W, but at the end of the day if we can honestly say to each that we were in a position to win, if we can say we gave everything we could, if we left everything on the floor…. then we were successful.”

Park has a scrimmage at Hastings Thursday, Aug. 25, along with New Life Academy, Simley and St. Paul Central, then opens the season for real Tuesday, Aug. 30 at Apple Valley. Park’s first home game will be against Simley on Wednesday, Aug. 31, starting at 7 p.m.

Addy Glide (23) and Sonja Lind (12) are just two of several talented returners back for another season of Park High volleyball. Photo by John Molene