Chants look for balance in 2008

Last year Ord relied on Kellie Peterson and Riley Callan on its way to a 27-2 record and the Class C-1 state championship.

This year the Chants will be a more balanced team.

"I feel like we have at least 12 very balanced and good ball players," Ord coach Wendy Alexander said. "We don't have that one person who is standing out at this point, but we have a lot of solid players. Our game is really going to be different at the beginning of the season because of that.

"At the end of the season, I think we'll have one or two players step forward. I think we'll be more balanced than we were last year. We're going to have to be."

Without Callan and Peterson, Alexander said the Chants will have to be good on first-contract. That's exactly what Nebraska coach John Cook said about his Husker team this year.

"I sound like John Cook," she said, "but first contact for us is so important. I think it will be huge for us. He lost some horses and we did too. First contact and certainly passing and defense will be a key for us."

Ord returns five players with starting experience including senior setter Desiree Erikson. Alexander said Erikson held the Chants together last year.

"I felt Desiree was really the glue for that squad," Alexander said. "She just is a dynamic presence on the court. She gives great leadership and has a great knowledge of the game. She's a great leader for the younger players coming in."

Alexander said the Chants have had a good off-season. She has been particularly pleased with junior outside hitter Makenzie Daily and junior middle blocker Malori Hagge.

"It's gone well," she said. "The girls have been very positive. It's very encouraging for our younger players.

"We've seen a lot of hard work this summer from Makenzie Daily and Malori Hagge and a lot of other girls as well. Both of those players have spent time in the off season to try and develop their game."

Senior outside hitter Kendra Novotny and senior middle blocker Kelcie Pelton are returning starters along with junior right side Abby Welniak and junior defensive specialist Megan Cullers.

Welniak, who started at the end of the season, is coming off of knee surgery this winter.

"She has really worked to strengthen that leg and is getting back to where she was last season," Alexander said.

Staying healthy will be a key to the Chants' success this season.

"We have a couple of seniors who have been plagued by injuries," Alexander said. "A key for us is keeping them healthy. I think we're going to have to be more of a defensive team this year. We're going to focus a lot on defense."

Alexander said the Lou-Platte Conference looks even better this year than last when Ord, St. Paul and Kearney Catholic all advanced to the state tournament. She said St.Paul, Ravenna and Kearney Catholic will be tough this year along with Wood River.

"I would rather see us play those great teams," Alexander said. "I feel at the end of the season that will make us so much stronger. Our conference, as tough as it's going to be, will really help us at the end of the season."

In the end, team chemistry may decide how good the Chants are this season. That's what the team has worked on this off season.

"I think we spent a lot of time playing together and trying to develop a real team approach with the incoming players we have," Alexander said.

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