Fall Sports Preview: Elgin Public/Pope John Volleyball

From front, left to right, Anna Heilhecker, Kaylee Martinsen, Nickol Payne, Paige Meis, Grace Henn, Lydia Behnk, Heather Bauer, Calli Krebs, Allyson Wemhoff, Skyler Reestman, Marissa Preister, Kirsten Krebs, Araceli Palmer, Kayce Kallhoff, Haley Zegers, Faith Kinney, Olivia Lindgren, Theanna Dunn, Jasmine Dozler, Natalie Bauer, Coach Tina Thiele-Blecher, manager Jeslynn Beckman, manager Lexi Bode, Ally Selting, Alyssa Burenheidi, Harlie Bode, Ashtyn Meis, manager Keyera Eisenhauer, Coach Sandi Henn and Coach Audrey Wondercheck.

Class: D1
Coach: Tina Thiele-Blecher
2016 record: 28-5
2016 state tournament: Third place at state tournament

Returning starters: Five
Returning letter winners: Calli Krebs, Sr., Ally Wemhoff, Jr., Paige Meis, Sr., Grace Henn, Sr., Nicki Payne, Sr., Anna Heilhecker, Jr., Lydia Behnk, Sr.

Players to watch: All of them

2017 outlook: “We will regroup and get after it. We have a great bunch of hard working girls that want to build off last season.” - Coach Tina Thiele-Blecher

​Our take: Under Thiele-Blecher, the Wolfpack have been one of the toughest programs in the district for years, culminating in the best finish in Elgin history last year at state. They lost some great players from last year’s squad, but they were able to play many of their younger kids too to give them plenty of experience. Grace Henn and Paige Meis are two very good finishers, Calli Krebs has plenty of experience and Ally Wemhoff will take over full-time duties as the setter after splitting time with her sister last year. Expect them to again be at the top of the district.

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