Editor’s Note: 605 Sports will unveil team preview capsules on all volleyball classes leading up to the 2023 season openers. The information provided was submitted by coaches in response to an email sent by 605 Sports. 

Harrisburg returned to the top of Class AA last season, winning its first state volleyball championship since 2017. 

The Tigers, who have no seniors, will be among the favorites to earn this season’s Class AA state championship. Harrisburg received eight of the 14 first-place votes in the preseason poll.

Sioux Falls Washington received four first-place votes and was No. 2 in the preseason rankings. Sioux Falls Jefferson, Sioux Falls O’Gorman (two first-place votes) and Sioux Falls Lincoln round out the top-five teams in the poll. 

Team capsules (listed in alphabetical order): 

Douglas 

Coach: Sarah Tucker 

Key returnees: Gabby Grabowska-Hoyle, 6-1, senior; Chloe Gillaspie, 5-5, senior; Kaylee Lancial, 5-7, junior.

Top newcomers: Chloe Shreve, 6-2, sophomore.  

Outlook: The Patriots will rely heavily on their senior class in Sarah Tucker’s second season as head coach. 

“We are taking on the 2023 season with seven seniors ready to leave their legacy,” Tucker said. They bring experience, knowledge and the dedication needed to be successful and play at a high level. Our underclassmen round out our team well and we are looking forward to growing as a program.”

Harrisburg 

Coach: Ronette Costain  

Key returnees: Maggie Meister, 5-7, junior, libero; Kara Leach, 5-9, junior, OH/RH/M; Gabi Zachariasen, sophomore, outside hitter. 

Top newcomers: Lauren Venega, sophomore; Kennedy Kokenge, freshman; Kya Keegan, sophomore; Josalyn Samuels, eighth-grader; Bergen Stiff, freshman; Lindsey Langner. 

Outlook: Harrisburg returns a number of top players from last season’s Class AA state championship, its first since 2017. Libero Maggie Meister, a junior committed to South Dakota State, was an all-stater after posting 507 digs last season. Kara Leach logged 170 kills and 55 blocks as a sophomore hitter, while Gabi Zachariasen posted 357 kills, 32 aces, 250 digs and 19 blocks as a freshman. The Tigers, who are led by veteran coach Ronette Costain, have no seniors on the roster.

“This team has a ton of big-time talent,” Costain said. “That’s no secret, but what people need to know is they all put team before me every day. They flat out compete.”

Mitchell 

Coach: Deb Thill  

Key returnees: Sawyer Stoebner, 5-9, senior, outside hitter; Paige Guthmiller, 5-0, senior, Libero; Halle Haring, 6-0, senior, middle hitter; Lauren VanOverschelde, 5-5, junior, outside hitter; Addie Siemsen, 5-8, sophomore, setter/RS.

Top newcomers: Hope Flippin, 5-9, senior, RS; Tianna Meadows, 5-8, senior, middle hitter; Ava Brannan, 5-0, junior, DS; Kenna Soulek, 5-4, sophomore, setter.  

Outlook: The Kernels bring back five key players from last season’s team, including outside hitter Sawyer Stoebner (125 kills) and libero Paige Guthmiller (267 digs). Halle Haring, Lauren VanOverschelde and Addie Siemsen are also key returners for coach Deb Thill, entering her 33rd season as head coach. 

“We should be a competitive athletic team with not much height,” Thill said. “We hope to be a quick defensive team.”

Sioux Falls Lincoln

Coach: Katie Tirrel  

Key returnees: Linnea Nesheim, 5-10, senior, outside hitter; Jazmen Kutey, 6-0, senior, middle blocker; Hadlie Groen, 6-0, senior, middle blocker. 

Top newcomers: Kaitlyn Koel, 6-0, senior, RS; Ella Warden, 5-8, junior, setter; Julia Blom, 5-8, sophomore, Libero/RS. 

Outlook: The Patriots bring back a number of key returners from last season’s sixth-place finish, including first-team all-stater Jazmen Kutey (149 blocks/253 kills). Outside hitter Linnea Nesheim (273 kills/357 digs/37 aces) and Hadlie Groen (53 blocks/76 kills) were also key players for coach Katie Tirrel. 

“We have a healthy combination of returning players that offer varsity experience and newcomers that are eager to earn playing time,” Tirrel said. “There is a high level of energy and competition in our gym, which is awesome to see as we start this new season. With the talented group we have, it gives us options which is an exciting attribute to work with.”

Sioux Falls O’Gorman

Coach: Cale Hecht 

Key returnees: Keira McManus, 5-10, junior, middle blocker; Makenzie Walsy, 6-3, sophomore, RS.

Top newcomers: Kyra Hermanson, 5-10, junior, setter; Brenna Beck, 6-2, junior, RS.  

Outlook: The Knights, who graduated eight seniors and two all-staters, will usher in a fresh set of players this season. O’Gorman, which is coached by third-year coach Cale Hecht, finished fourth at last season’s Class AA state tournament. 

“It’s a new look for the Knights for the 2023 season,” Hecht said. “Only returning two starters there are a lot of positions to fill. With lots of raw talent there is a lot of room for growth and improvement. The offense will run through Keira McManus in the middle and two right sides (Makenzie Walsh and Brenna Beck). These 3 will help the offense roll throughout the season.”

Sioux Falls Washington 

Coach: Kelly Schroeder  

Key returnees: Macie Malchow, 5-10, senior, setter; Carlie Beckstrand, 5-11, senior, RS; Taryn Kirsch, 5-10, junior, Libero; Cate Legel, 5-10, junior, outside hitter; Grace Nesdahl, 5-11, senior, middle hitter; Anessa Hosman, 5-2, senior, DS; Kaelyn Snoozy, 5-11, junior, outside hitter.

Top newcomers: Nyariek Kur, 5-10, senior, middle hitter.   

Outlook: The Warriors return a number of multi-year starters from last season’s third-place finish at the Class AA state tournament. All-state setter Macie Malchow headlines the group after posting 1,019 assists, 289 digs, 84 kills and 44 aces last season. 

“I am very excited for this group of girls,” Washington coach Kelly Schroeder said. “We have a lot of returning players coming back with a lot of postseason experience. We have some high expectations for ourselves this year and look forward to working hard all-season to reach our goals.”