New Red Hornet coach optimistic

Heartland Lutheran has a new coach who can rely on a bunch of experienced players this season.

Brian Staehr takes over the Red Hornet program this season. It's a program that now has five senior starters back from last year's 8-19 team and six seniors overall.

Staehr said the seniors want to make their final high school season a success.

"I think we'll have a lot of good senior leadership," Staehr said. "We're expecting some big things out of them this year.

"In years past, they've had around a 33-percent winning percentage. Their goal is to break 50 percent and do some things at district. We have a lot of returning seniors, so we're really excited about it."

Claire Mackey, a 5-foot-9 senior who has been starting since she was a freshman, was the team's leading attacker a year ago and will play outside hitter after playing in the middle.

"She's shown a lot of potential this year and is really working hard," Staehr said. "She's a really good team leader."

Paige Liess, a 5-7 senior, is back at middle blocker while 5-9 senior Bridget Strauss returns at outside hitter and senior Sarah Scholz is back at right side hitter.

Senior Megan Uden will see playing time as a back row specialist or possibly at libero.

Senior Chelsey Holmes, a transfer from Grand Island Northwest, may see playing time as well.

"I think she might be able to get some playing time, probably in the front row for us," Staehr said.

Sophomore Ava Mackey will take over at setter this season.

Staehr said the roster has grown to 17 players since practice started.

 "I didn't anticipate that many," Staehr said. "We started off with 11 or 12. Everybody keeps wanting to come out. That's a good thing because we were kind of concerned about having a JV schedule at first and now we can do that. We can get a few JV tournaments in and get some younger girls some experience."

Staehr, who will be assisted by Sabrina Aubuchon, is also activities director at Heartland Lutheran. He came to Grand Island from Freistatt, Mo.

Staehr said he has coached volleyball mostly at the junior high level. He's also coached football, basketball and baseball.

Staehr said the players have worked hard to get ready for the volleyball season.

"A few have really taken initiative and played some club ball and things like that," Staehr said. "Hopefully we can go out there and make a name for ourselves.”

E-mail Bob Hamar