Hi-Liners Ready to Build Their Own Story After State Championship Run
Valley City volleyball returns experience, versatility and high expectations after finishing as the Class A state runner-up last fall.
Last fall, the Valley City Hi-Liners showed an entire community what was possible when talent, toughness and trust came together.
Their run to the state championship match ended one victory short of the ultimate goal, but its impact reached far beyond the final result. It raised the standard surrounding the program, gave returning players valuable championship experience and offered the next generation of Hi-Liner volleyball players something tangible to chase. “I think a state championship run is so exciting not only for the program, but for the community,” Valley City head coach Cynthia Klabo said. “I hope it opened the eyes of the younger players that they could experience that one day with hard work.”
The challenge now is not to recreate last year’s team. It is for a new group of Hi-Liners to discover what this year’s team can become.
Valley City graduated four players and a manager from its state runner-up squad, including captains Kadie Kocka and Kinlee Sufficool. Klabo said the two captains were instrumental in creating energy on the court and consistently bringing a positive attitude.
Their production and leadership will be missed, but Klabo does not view the task ahead as trying to find identical replacements. “I don’t think you ever replace players,” Klabo said. “I think you get new ones into the same position, but the team always evolves into what it needs to be depending on who is on the court.” That evolution begins with a strong collection of returning varsity players.
Katie Burchill and Nora Pederson return after serving as Valley City’s middle hitters last season. Klabo expects both to be instrumental in providing leadership for a team that will have new faces and potentially new roles throughout its lineup. Setter Brynn Lueck also returns for her junior season after already establishing herself as one of the Hi-Liners’ most dynamic players. “She is so talented and fun to watch on the court,” Klabo said. “I often say she moves around the court like a human joystick.” Skye Nielson gives the Hi-Liners another proven weapon at outside hitter. Klabo praised Nielson’s ability to attack with power while also placing shots when the situation calls for it. “She is a gamer and plays hard and competes all the time,” Klabo said. Morgan Larson is another returner expected to step into an important role. Klabo said Larson is looking strong and will likely slide into the libero position, where her speed and volleyball instincts should make her a natural fit. Layni Bakalar returns after excelling in a specialized role last season. Bakalar regularly entered to serve and play one rotation of defense, and Klabo described her as “unshakable at the line.” Her ability to produce extended serving runs gave Valley City a dependable option in pressure situations.Ella Sather and Tessa Anderson also return after seeing limited court time last season. Although their match opportunities were limited, Klabo valued the support and enthusiasm they consistently brought from the bench. Both now have an opportunity to compete for larger roles.
The Hi-Liners could also receive contributions from younger and less-experienced players. Jaye Potratz has impressed Klabo with her swing and defensive ability, while Kierstin Klabo performed well at varsity team camp as an outside hitter and blocker.
Finding the best combinations will be one of Valley City’s biggest early-season priorities. Cynthia Klabo anticipates that some positions could be reshuffled, with players potentially appearing in roles they have not held before.
That experimentation may take time. The Hi-Liners will need repetitions together to build comfort, establish chemistry and learn to trust the teammates beside them in the new lineup.
Fortunately, versatility should give the coaching staff several options. “I think our biggest strength is that the girls are well-rounded volleyball players,” Klabo said. “They can all pass, set and hit. There isn’t a player that I get nervous about when they get the ball.” Klabo believes the program’s emphasis on putting players in situations where they may have to perform any skill has helped build that confidence. Rather than feeling limited by a position, the Hi-Liners are comfortable making the play the moment requires.
Valley City also enters the fall with chemistry built over years of playing together. The team met a couple of times each week throughout the summer, and Klabo said several players invested significant time in their development. “I’m excited to see it pay off for them,” she said.
Last season’s tournament run also provided lessons that cannot be simulated in an open gym or summer workout. The returning Hi-Liners learned how difficult it is to sustain their best volleyball through a long stretch of high-pressure matches. More importantly, they learned that mental strength and playing for one another can carry a team deep into November. “I think we learned that we can do anything that we put our mind to,” Klabo said. “We have talked a lot about mental strength, and I think the girls showed it at the end of the season. I also think they learned that playing together as a team is very important. We play for each other.”
With a state runner-up finish comes an unavoidable rise in outside expectations. Klabo knows many will expect Valley City to return to state and contend again, but getting there will be anything but automatic. “We have the toughest region, so getting out of our region is half the battle,” she said.
The team had not formally established its season goals before the start of practice, and Klabo was not ready to force a label onto the group before seeing it come together. Based on the summer, however, she sees a team that is energetic and ready to attack whatever is placed in front of it.
Among the highlights on this year’s schedule will be an outdoor match against Central Cass at The Lights and a trip to the Des Lacs tournament. The tournament will give the Hi-Liners a new competitive experience along with valuable time together away from home.
The faces and roles may change, but the excitement surrounding Hi-Liner volleyball has not. Last season gave Valley City a championship memory and a higher standard. This fall’s team now has the opportunity to use those lessons without living in the shadow of what came before it. Klabo hopes the community will be there to experience the journey with them. “I just want people to come out, watch and cheer on the Hi-Liner volleyball team,” she said. “We should be fun to watch this year.”
