Lancers Talent Ready For 2008

BY SCOTT MORRISON
sports@yankton.net

With a group of young girls last season, the Mount Marty College Lancer Volleyball squad (7-22 (2-14 GPAC)) had difficulties staying afloat in the GPAC last year.

However, after losing only two girls to graduation, the Lancers are excited because their potential to compete with throughout the year.

Eighth year coach Tracy Grotenhuis and her girls are aiming to improve on last season and find out just how good they can be.

“Our goal this year is to improve. We have worked hard throughout the spring and in these first weeks of fall to get better. Everyone is eager to show what they are capable of,” Grotenhuis said.

Unlike last year, where many girls were still young, leadership is going to be a key for the Lancers.

“The best thing that we can take from last year is our experience. We basically knew what we had to work on in the off-season and now it is time to show we’ve improved,” Grotenhuis said.

The leadership starts with the Lancers three seniors.

Setter Abby Haiar is the most notable of the three. Haiar was selected as a member of the Great Plains Athletic Conference 2nd team last year.

Haiar is the pulse of the Lancers offense. She is best at running a quick attack that keeps opponents off-balance.

“Abby has great ability to lead the team. She runs a quick offense and she is able to get the ball to our hitters without problems,” Grotenhuis said.

Senior right side hitter Emily Rasmussen should also play a substantial role in the team’s offence. Hitters may prove to be a determining factor for the team’s success.

Rasmussen has been a starter the last three years and was second on the team in kills last year. She is looked at as a strength on the outside.

Senior outside hitter Lindsay Beacom is also expected to step up this year. Beacom had an outstanding spring and is confident that she can take on a full-time role this year.

“Lindsay split time on varsity last year, but had an exceptional spring. We hope that she can into her own this year,” Grotenhuis said.

Also returning for the Lancers are junior middle hitter Kate Carda and sophomore Libero Carly Benson.

Carda is expected to contribute from an attack position. Although she lacks size, she makes up for it in quickness.

“Kate is probably our quickest attacker. She moves fast on the court and we hope she can have a breakout season,” Grotenhuis said.

Benson was the Lancers defensive anchor last year. She started every game and was a foundation for a solid defense.

Anne Hansen, a transfer student from Williston State Junior College, is expected to be a solid defensive player for the Lancers. She has two years remaining to contribute to the team.

Sophomore right back Magie Goree should do well with a year of experience under her belt. Sophomore Kristi Wallers can see time from the defensive specialist position.

Sophomore Krystal Cihak is expected to compete for a spot on the outside.

A newcomer that should contribute well to the Lancers attack is freshman Megan Phillips. She plans to make the transition from middle hitter to outside hitter.

The Lancers begin their season with a home opening triangular against Waldorf College and Dakota State University at Cimpl Arena today.

They start with Waldorf at 11:00 a.m. and Dakota State University at 3:00 p.m..

“We are going to have to work hard to have a strong season this year. Our schedule is difficult and the GPAC is going to be competitive again this year,” Grotenhuis said.

Lancers Fired Up For XC Season

BY SCOTT MORRISON
sports@yankton.net

Beginning his second year as head coach for the Mount Marty College Cross Country team, Randy Fischer has the numbers to have a quality season.

In his first year as head coach, Fischer did not have enough runners to fill up a team until the conference meet. He borrowed a few MMC women’s soccer players to give them a chance to compete with the remainder of the Great Plains Athletic Conference.

This year on the women’s side, numbers aren’t going to be a problem. The Lancers have 12 girls that hope to battle with GPAC competition.

“Last year we didn’t have the numbers, but we are excited about having a full team this year,” Fischer said.

Of the twelve girls running for the Lancers, there are only three of which who are returning. These girls need to use their experience from last year to lead the way this year.

Megan O’Grady, a junior from Tyndall, was the best runner for the Lancers. She finished with a team best 19:42.00.

“Megan is one of our best athletes. She came on in the last part of the season and broke 20:00 numerous times. We are expecting a lot from her this year,” Fischer said.

Fischer and the Lancers hope that O’Grady can be a leader for some of the younger girls this season.

Senior Jessica Albers is also expected to have a strong year. Albers earned a career best 22:12 last year. Albers should also be a team leader.

“Jessica improved a ton from the beginning of the season to the end. We hope that she can be a leader this season,” Fischer said.

Sophomore Ashley Solem is the Lancers final returner. Solem battled injuries last season and hopes that she can compete pain free this year.

With the number on new players on their team this year, the Lancers have an exceptionally bright future ahead of them.

This starts with freshman and former Yankton Gazelle standout Jade Steinberg. Steinberg Gazelle team won four state championships in her high school career.

“Jade brings quality experience to our team. We think that she is a great fit for our team,” Fischer said.

Other new runners that begin their college cross country careers include Brittany Fischer, Amy Gubbels, Alicia Pick, Vanessa Lectenberg, Becka Jensen, Megan Poppe, and a cast of other girls.

Poppe, a freshman from Avon, plans to use cross country as a conditioner for her basketball and track seasons.

Poppe has never competed in cross country before, but it should pay dividends for her conditioning.

On the mens’ side the Lancers have five runners competing this year. With such a limited number of athletes, everyone must do well on an individual basis.

This starts with distance standout Titus Cosgey. Cosgey, a sophomore from Africa, should be a standout on the Lancer squad.

The Lancers also have runners Lantz Kulp, Caleb Herreen, Mithcell Zink, and Tyler Smith.

Fischer’s teams begin competition at the USD Invite in Vermillion on September 6. The Mount Marty Invitational is to be held October 25th in Vermillion.

Given their youthful exuberance, the Lancers may have a bit of learning to do. As the Lancers begin their season, their success is going to depend on the adjustments they can make.

Some of the Lancers veteran runners need to step up to help some of the younger runners. They hope for positive results throughout the season.

“We are looking for improvements from last year. We have a young team that has the ability move up in the GPAC standings. We will be happy if we can be in the middle of the GPAC standings,” Fischer said.

This may prove difficult given the talent level throughout the remainder of the conference.
“The GPAC is very tough and all schools are going to be tough. We have to rise up and compete to our potential,” Fischer added.

Freshmen Orientation

Cody Gramkow, Dustin Wheeler, and Joey Stahl showed the freshmen how important it is to manage their time wisely in this skit.

Orientation leaders Gina Emanuel, Ariel Klein, Dave Schmit, Brooke Stones, Briana Fiegen, and Cody Juffer took a break to pose for this picture.

These freshmen anxiously awaited the next object in the human scavenger hunt.

The human scavenger hunt turned out to be a blast!

These freshmen enjoyed an icebreaker at orientation.

Photos by Theresa Condon

Mount Marty Blessing Ceremony

Freshman students, their parents, and Mount Marty Faculty listen as the Orientation Blessing Ceremony starts on Friday August 22, 2008.

A full church listens as the core values of Mount Marty College are explained.

It was an emotional goodbye for some parents after the Orientation Blessing Ceremony.

Photos by Bethany Bakker