A young Centennial volleyball team opened its season Aug. 28 at the Minden Invitational and went 2-2 in its games to finish fifth.
“We played competitive with every team,” Coach Alex Anstine said.
The Broncos started three freshmen and have just one returning starter from last season. Despite the youth and relative inexperience, CHS did a lot of good things, the coach said.
“We need to work on consistency,” she said. “We never gave up and kept fighting. We’ll keep getting better. We’ve made huge strides since the first day.”
The Broncos ran a 5-1 offense, which means they have just one setter for all six rotations. Senior Gracen Fehlhafer stepped into the position and put the team on her back, Anstine said.
“She did a great job stepping in,” she said. “She’s a different style of setter than Jaci (Opfer, last year’s setter). “She started all four games and did a great job.”
The Broncos are not as tall as last year’s team, but Anstine said their defense and passing may be better.
“We made a lot of great plays in the back row,” she said.
Centennial lost to Ainsworth 12-25, 25-18, 25-22, beat Valentine 25-20, 25-18, lost to Minden 21-25, 25-21, 25-23 and beat Blue Hill 25-17, 21-25, 25-20.
In the Ainsworth match, Cambria Saunders led the team with eight kills, and Caitlynn Bargen added six. Fehlhafer put up 22 set assists in the match, and the Broncos served six aces.
Against Valentine, Cora Payne led the way with nine kills, and Karly Naber added six. Fehlhafer recorded 20 assists.
Saunders and Averie Stuhr had seven kills each against Minden, and Bargen added six. Saunders put up two solo blocks.
Fehlhafer picked up 18 digs, and Samara Ruether added 17.
Payne and Stuhr were the kill leaders in the win over Blue Hill with seven each. Bargen and Saunders put down six kills apiece.
Fehlhafer was perfect on 104 set attempts with 29 assists. Ruether picked up 17 digs, and Naber added 15.
“This group works their tails off,” Anstine said. “They know they have to work for every point.”
Ruether has stepped into the libero’s shoes and has done a good job taking on that leadership role, Anstine said.
Centennial will surprise some people, the coach said.
The Broncos (2-2) were to play at Central City Aug. 31 and host Milford Thursday, Sept. 2, with varsity to start at 7:30 p.m. The team is back in action Tuesday, Sept. 7, at home against Sandy Creek.
