Lady Rebels start VB season with win

By JEFF LAMPE
For The Prairie News

TOULON – With four starters back, the Stark County volleyball team was hoping to show real improvement from a 9-22 finish one year ago. So far so good after one match.
In Monday’s season opener, the Lady Rebels topped Galva at home, 25-11, 25-10, behind big nights by some of those seniors.
Middle hitter Kelsey Berchtold had three digs and three kills for Stark County, which also got five digs and two kills from 5-foot-10 senior middle hitter Marley Hillan and three blocks and two kills from senior setter/outside hitter Olivia Hopp. Berchtold and Hopp led Stark County in kills last year while Hillan was tops in blocks.
Setter Karsyn Rewerts is the other senior returnee for the Lady Rebels, who can also rotate senior outside hitters Lexi Davis and Haylee Wilkins.
Against Galva, junior Abi Gosnell showed up big with five digs and two kills.
“We have a great group of motivated girls,” said first-year coach Mary Jo Groter, who is being assisted by her sister, Elizabeth Groter. “I believe with hard work and determination we can have a winning season. We’re excited to be leading this program and are expecting great things.”
The Lady Rebels JV also won against Galva.
Stark County picked up a game Wednesday at West Central and figures to be tested in its next two matches, traveling Saturday to face Annawan and then hitting the road for a Monday matchup at Wethersfield.
Galva (0-1) was set to return to action Wednesday at Wethersfield and Thursday at home vs. West Central. On Galva’s lower levels, the 8th grade team advanced to the IESA regional semifinal before losing to Midland.