Tabor volleyball ignites for another conference run
By RYAN RICHTER
Sports writer
'Lady Threshers end Tabor's volleyball season.' Those sour notes have been ringing in the ears of the Tabor volleyball team for the past three years.
However, falling short against the Threshers "isn't an option" according to Bluejay seniors Carmen Hein and Angela Kroeker, two of the five seniors Ratzlaff has anchoring her team this season.
"I'm really getting tired of losing to Bethel," Angela Kroeker said. "Beating them will be a big key to our season and everybody wants to go out with a bang.
"It's a good rivalry, but maybe it's our turn to win it now. We've got a bright future with good recruits."
For the senior quintet of Angela Kroeker, Laura Campbell, Rachelle Regier, Carmen Hein, and Sara Haggard-McAllister, the time has never been better for the Bluejays to clear that final hurdle.
For this season's seniors, who finished 21-7 overall and 16-2 in the KCAC, last season's shortcomings are being used as motivation.
"We're using last season's ending to help us grow this year," said Carmen Hein. "We thought we should have gone a lot further than we did last year."
This might be Tabor's best chance at dethroning the Threshers as a solid nucleus returns for the Bluejays.
Kroeker, Campbell, McAllister, and Hein were selected as first-team all-KCAC picks. Hein was tabbed the league's defensive player-of-the-year last season.
Regier was selected as honorable mention along with junior Erin Loewen. Ratzlaff said she looks for big things from Loewen again this year.
"Tabor is blessed to have five returning seniors that have established an extremely competitive tradition at Tabor," Ratzlaff said. "These ladies signed during my first recruiting season with a desire to make an immediate impact.
"The five seniors this year deserve any success that comes their way. They have truly been champions on and off the court for Tabor volleyball."
The Bluejays have quality depth returning with a trio of sensational sophomores, outside hitter Shannon Kroeker and middle blocker Jill Hein, both of Hillsboro, and defensive specialist Johannah Love.
Ratzlaff also got a feather in her hat signing a trio of recruits from two of the most prominent volleyball traditions in Kansas, Hesston and Moundridge.
Traci Neufeld, a 5'7" setter from Hesston and Moundridge's Staci Whitcomb and Lindsey Vogts could step in and contribute right away.
Ashley Scherrer, Ashley McKillip, and Kelsi Suderman are three more recruits Ratzlaff was excited to sign for the future.
The Bluejays are loaded on defense with the return of blocking duo, 6'0" Campbell and the 5'10" Regier.
Campbell finished third in the league in blocks, averaging 1.47 a game and Regier, sixth, with 1.17, helping Tabor finish second only to Friends.
Angela Kroeker led the team both in digs and kills with 377 and 314, respectively.
Loewen was second in kills with 300.
Tabor appears to be as stacked offensively as it is on defense.
McAllister has rewritten the book on assits at Tabor.
Named the setter of the week in the KCAC on numerous occasions, she averaged nearly 12 assists per game and was successful on 1,170, the conference's third-highest tally.
She also paced the Bluejays in serves, compliling 59 aces from 530 attempts for the league's second best percentage, 94.15 percent.
Junior Kerri Schmidt showed progressive signs last season as McAllister's understudy. She'll again be a key contributor for Ratzlaff.
Love has the speed that will keep the Bluejays fresh when Carmen Hein is winded.
Ratzlaff doesn't expect the Threshers to show any signs of slowing down this season, again challenging the Bluejays for league supremacy.
The McPherson Bulldogs are a team that Ratzlaff is leery of as well.
Tabor faces a tough non-conference schedule this season, squaring off against the likes of John Brown University and Bellevue.
The Bluejays begin their season Sept. 5, at the Ozarks Tournament at Point Lookout, Mo.
"I'm really looking forward to the season," Carmen Hein said. "Things look pretty positive for us. We've got a lot of raw talent, good depth and returnees.
"Using the ability we have, staying focused and playing well as a team are going to be the keys for us."
