Lincoln Southwest’s Brynley Christensen (left) and Emerson Lyonberger set up their blocks in last season’s divisions. Both will return to the Silverhawks this season.
File photo of Justin Wang, Journal Star
The Lincoln Southwest volleyball team had one of the best seasons in school history last fall, recording 30 wins and making it to the Class A state tournament.
But this year, with the return of new head coach Jessica Baker and six starters, the preseason No. 6 Silver Hawks are looking to go one step further.
“Getting through the first round of states and going as far as possible is definitely one of our goals,” said junior Emerson Lyonberger. “We put a lot into conditioning and lifting.” We’ve been working on it, and we’ve put in an extra rep even before today’s practice, and we’re putting a lot of effort into getting a sharper edge in this year’s competition.”
Baker knows the Southwest program well. She spent the past three years as a junior national team coach before being promoted in April.
She took over the program with the vision that the more united the players as a program, from freshmen to college representatives, the more Southwest can achieve in the short and long term.
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“I really think we’re really focused on recruiting these girls and making good teammates, not just good teams,” Baker said. And we don’t just have a few hitters, we have a complete team working together.I think when we’re as strong as one, we go further.”
So far, it actually did.
“Baker definitely gave us a common goal,” said Lionberger. “She’s very committed that we have a goal of getting through the state’s first round and going farther than we have in the last few years.
“So[she]pushed us to push ourselves to that extra edge where conditioning and really every rep is important and not just getting there but pushing yourself to that extra edge so you can break through the state. doing.”
Baker’s experience as a coach at the lower levels of the program also helped her get started quickly. Her players know her, and she knows them.
“[Baker]has been here for a few years, so she knows what we can do, so it’s been really good,” said senior Brynley Christensen. He knows what we can do and pushes us to do our best because we want to be able to outlast and push through those teams in five-set matches.”
The Silverhawks have six starters but have lost several key players from last season. Shaylee Meyers was his one of the best players in the state, and Karli Symonsberger and Courtney Holsteen were his two other valuable contributors.
However, there has been a collective effort to fill their positions within the team.
Christensen said, “I’d say we’ve had a lot of good tools overall this year and have trust and trust in each other to put the ball away.” I think we’ve shown what we can do. So definitely there are a lot of different people this year who have been able to step up and fill those roles.”
Southwest has some big goals. And with some very good teams at the top of Class A, it will be hard for any team to make it out of the state’s first round.
However, the Silverhawks are confident they will hit their target.
“I think we know there’s great competition all around us, but we’re confident in our ability that it doesn’t matter who we play against,” said Christensen. We’re going to take it to them no matter what, and I think we have a good faith in the team and each other that will help us overcome the challenges the season presents.”
The Southwest kicks off the season against Norfolk on Thursday before taking on No. 4 Lincoln Pius X in the Triangle next week.
