Wildcats return 8 after strong 2015 campaign

The 11 upperclassmen on the Gresham volleyball team have continued to push each other since the season started on Aug. 15.

The Wildcats return eight letter-winners, including four starters, which has produced some strong competition, which head coach Tim Wild has seen as a positive so far this fall.

“The competition is pretty tough, which pushes them a little more and gets a little more out of them,” Wild said.

Leading the way is returning middle hitter Sydney Jensen, along with hitters Makena Arndt, Hailey Hoffman and Mackenzie Hoffman.

Because of their experience, the Wildcats have advanced further in their preparation so far this season, despite the loss of Taylor Hoffman, Tatelyn Ferguson and River Otradovec.

“That experience has brought us further along than we would be at this point,” Wild said.

Kamille Davids returns in 2016 after an ankle injury caused her to miss roughly three-quarters of the 2015 season, during which the Wildcats went 16-10 and 7-2 in the Central Wisconsin Conference-10.

Davids will play outside hitter with Arndt. In Davids’ short time back with the team, Wild said that she has been swinging hard, which should make her a regular contributor over the course of the season.

The biggest transition this fall will be making up for the loss of Hoffman, a first-team all-CWC-10 setter. Junior Dani Huntington will take over that role.

“She’s doing an excellent job, a great work ethic,” Wild said. “I have high expectations for her as setter as well.

Huntington will be the only setter as the team runs a 5-1 offense to start the season, but Wild has junior Mackenzie Hoffman ready to help Huntington if necessary.

Junior Hailey Hoffman, who spent the past two years as a libero for the Wildcats, is working on her hitting this season to become a more valuable asset and play all six rotations.

Despite a good regular season, the Wildcats still have their sights set on revenge.

Gresham, which finished third in the CWC-10 and was the No. 2 seed in its WIAA Division 4 regional, fell to rival and third-seeded Bowler in straight sets, 25-1, 25-22, 25-18, in a semifinal match.

“We’re really using that as motivation as we start this season,” Wild said.