John Raffel
Sports Scene
St. Louis has traditionally had strong volleyball teams and this season appears to be no exception.
Jennifer Jaeck is coaching the Sharks, who are 21-6, and will be competing for a strong postseason in Class C.
“Right now, we are playing very well together,” she said. “We only lost one senior last year and added in a junior this year, so it seems the makeup of our team is pretty much the same. As a result, we’re playing very well.’”
Jaelynn Block, an all-state setter graduated, leaving huge shoes.
“We bring in a 6-2 offense, so that’s two setters and with (junior captain) Megan Greenup for the last two years,” Jaeck said. “She set as a freshman and a sophomore, and this year as a junior. This year, she’s stepped right in to set that 5-1 offense. We’ve replaced Jaelynn that way by grooving Megan Greenup into that position for the last two years.”
Also playing well for the Sharks has been (senior captain) Paige Young at libero.
“She provides for that passing consistency for our team,” Jaeck said.
Laurel Hrabal is a senior outside hitter.
“Those three girls have really been providing the consistency for our team and keeping our team a cohesive unit,” Jaeck said. “We also have a senior middle hitter Marlee Goetzinger. She kind of brings a competitive fire to our team. When she gets the ball, she loves to put it down. She’s that fire-up emotional player.”
Plenty of volleyball is left and Jaeck is confident her team can achieve a lot of things.
“We’re looking to once again be competitive in our league,” Jaeck said. “Our league every year comes down to us playing Valley Lutheran for the conference championship. I hear this year St. Charles is doing some great things. We have them on our radar as well.
“We go over to the Breckenridge area for districts. That will be a good district for us. I hope to do great things in the league and districts and go on from there.”