Sports

DCB already exceeding expectations

By Tyler Ohmann

08/27/2013

A 15-16 season in 2012 under a first year head coach was a big improvement for the Dakota College at Bottineau (DCB) volleyball team.

With only two players returning from that team, 2013 will be another fight to continue the programs progress. That journey began last Tuesday as the Ladyjacks scrimmaged MonDak foe Lake Region State College in Bottineau.

Things better than expected in the scrimmage according to coach Cory Fehringer and the players.

“I thought we played better than expected, and our first group of girls did well and we played really hard,” Fehringer said. “You always have to worry about communication early on, you’ve always got to worry about execution early on, because it’s not going to be what you want it to be.”

The two sophomores, setter Ashleigh Aufforth and middle hitter Leah Parizek, also were happy with how things went.

“(It went) better than I expected,” Aufforth said of the scrimmage.

“I think we’re going to be better than last year, we have a lot more communication and a better back row,” Parizek said.

A big part of that success maybe the increased numbers. The Ladyjacks had 15 players suit up for the scrimmage. They had only eight girls on last year’s squad.

“I think we’re much better off having girls that can go head-to-head against each other day in and day out,” Fehringer said.

“Practice has been much more fluid, and it’s given our first group of girls a chance to teach our second group of girls and show some leadership.”

There has been positive response in practice, which is key according to Parizek.

“That is a huge deal to have enough numbers to scrimmage and do certain drills,” Parizek said. “Last year was hard to run drills because we didn’t have enough girls. Serve/receive is much smoother, practice is much smoother, and it’s a lot better for the team.”  

There is no doubt that Parizek and Aufforth will be looked toward for leadership in 2013.

“Coming in as sophomores we show them that we need to work hard every single day, whether its in practice or a game,” Parizek said. “Even in practice you have to compete with the girl standing next to you to get on the floor, and bring hard work to the table.”

Fehringer expects a lot out of them, especially in teaching their younger counterparts.

“Ashley and Leah are huge to have because they know the coaches expectations and knowing what our standards are as a group, and they are doing a very good job of transferring that on to the other girls,” Fehringer said. “Krissi Lesmann will be a one year player, but she’s a good athlete that can play all the way around. Halle Schumann as well is a versatile player that can do a lot of things well.”

Aufforth believes that her and Parizek are good at handling the duties of being sophomore leaders.

“I think we’re both pretty good at splitting it up,” Aufforth said. “If a hitter messes up, Leah gets in there and says ‘hey, here’s what’s up,’ if a setter or someone does, I get in there and say ‘here’s what needs to get done.’”

The one thing that the Ladyjacks lack is size. They have no players that top six-feet in height, and lost their top hitter, Jordyn Sondrol, from 2012, so they’ll have to play differently.

“Coach stresses in practice that we’re not a hitting team, we’re not a blocking team, so we’ve just got to work on hitting, passing and serving,” Aufforth said. “That has to be our key points and what we’re best at.”

DCB opens their season tomorrow with a 7:30 p.m. match against Bismarck State College, and they couldn’t be happier to get going.

“I know it’s against Bismarck and I know they’re good, but I’m excited, especially after the way we played,” Aufforth said.

Parizek has seen in practice that the fire is there and believes DCB can succeed this year.

“I’m confident because we have a scrappy team and a very hard working team,” Parizek said. “That’s all we can ask for.”

Fehringer hopes the Ladyjacks can be patient and hang through. He’s realistic that it might take a while for the Ladyjacks to reach their full potential.

“I don’t think you’re ever ready, but we’ll put forth our best effort, “ Fehringer said about the opening match. “You’ll always play your best volleyball in October and November, not in August and September.”

The Ladyjacks are hoping that translates to a strong postseason in 2013.