Offensive prowess growing for Hawks

The Shawano volleyball team, with two of the top six returning players in the Bay Conference, looks to have a high-powered offense this season.

The Hawks will be led by unanimous first-team all-conference player Julia Klement, fellow first-team selection Averi Vomastic and honorable-mention setter Bayleigh Laabs.

“We definitely need to be running a faster offense this year than we ran last year and be able to get more of our hitters involved,” Shawano head coach Breanna Young said.

Also returning are Brandi Gueths and Tori DePerry, who will compete for time on the court with junior Taylor Wilber and freshman Rachel Reed.

After the first four days of practice, it remains to be seen if Reed will be a starter, but she’s off to a strong start.

“Skill-wise, she definitely has potential, so we’re excited to get her going fast,” Young said.

Libero Saige Henning graduated, leaving a large hole for the Hawks’ defensive unit. Sophomore Kyra Klement has shown more speed in her play and in reading the opposing hitters, while senior defensive specialists Niki Hoefs and Selena Bergner could add valuable leadership to the back row.

“We have a lot of people coming this year that have really shown what they can do,” Gueths said. “It’s going to be a good year.”

The Hawks, after a 26-16 year and 5-2 mark in the Bay Conference, know which facet of the game is the most important, especially early in the season.

“We have a strong offense, so we have to learn how to execute quicker on defense and be able to serve-receive and turn it into a point,” Young said.

Vomastic shared the same sentiment as her coach.

“Our serve-receive will always be one of our weaker parts of our overall play, but we’ve been working on that, so I think we’re going to be pretty strong all-around,” she said.

Last season, Shawano dispatched Marinette in the opening round of the WIAA Division 2 playoffs before falling in four sets to Seymour.

Although perennial powerhouse Notre Dame is likely the strongest opponent standing in the way of Shawano at sectionals, the team has its sights set even further.

“I still think we can make it to state,” Vomastic said. “We have the potential to make it, and I think we’re going to aim for state this year.”