-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla St. Edmond Returning Volleyball Letterwinners are, left to right, Alyxis Mericle, Kiestin Clark, Aleah Anderson, Mya McClain, Emma Alstott

Josephine Alstott slides over a chair this volleyball season, taking on the role of head coach at St. Edmond.

Alstott, who has spent the past several years helping the program as an assistant under Dee Huss, is a former all-state athlete at Aplington-Parkersburg who played college volleyball at Central. She has been coaching at various levels since 1996.

“Honestly, I was pretty nervous at first about taking the head coaching job,” Alstott said. “I’ve been coaching these senior girls since they were in fifth grade in volleyball and basketball, so we have a strong connection. But it’s still different being the head coach compared to the assistant.

“The girls were very thankful and said that they were happy to have me in this role because of how I help build them up and the impact I have. Honestly, I didn’t know that and it made me feel more comfortable about it.”

Senior Alyxis Mericle returns after posting 33 kills last year. Classmates Kierstin Clark, Emma Alstott, Mya McClain, Alyson Nieland, Aleah Anderson and Clare Conrad join her to provide leadership and experience.

“The girls have been working hard,” Alstott said. “We were able to have Ankeny head coach Dave Whims come down and run a camp that really helped get our offseason started. Since, we have been putting in the work to get better, learn what the strengths of each player is and put them in a position to be at their best.”

Clark recorded 24 kills, Alstott 16 and McClain three. Mericle had 12 blocks, Anderson five and Clark three, with McClain recording 25 aces and serving at 98-percent.

The offense ran through Clark a season ago, as she had a team-leading 253 assists. McClain added 13 with Anderson and Mericle each picking up two.

The Gaels open their season Thursday at Greene County before hosting the St. Edmond Invitational on Saturday with Webster City, Southeast Valley, Bishop Garrigan, Pocahontas Area and Aplington-Parkersburg all set to be in attendance.

Helping Alstott will be Matt Reynoso and Darcie Shirbroun.

ST. EDMOND VOLLEYBALL

Roster

Seniors – Mya McClain, Alyxis Mericle, Clare Conrad, Alyson Nieland, Emma Alstott, Kierstin Clark, Aleah Anderson.

Juniors – Maddie Reynoso, Alex Tiernan.

Sophomores – Caitlin Croonquist, Abby Lawler, Ellie Driscoll, Kara McGonegle, Madison Hepperlee, Grace Kelley.

Freshmen – Sasha Hess, Lauren Gibb, Hadley Oswald, Ainsley Oswald, Cecilia Galvan, Gracie Rial, Selby Quinn, Claire O’Connor, Payton Bradley, Cambree Lunn, Lacey Larson.

Schedule

Aug. 26 – at Greene County; 28 – host St. Edmond Invitational; 31 – Storm Lake.

Sept. 2 – at Clear Lake; 9 – Boone; 13 – at Eagle Grove; 16 – at Webster City; 21 – Hampton-Dumont/CAL; 30 – Iowa Falls-Alden.

Oct. 5 – Humboldt; 7 – Clarion-Goldfield/Dows; 12 – Manson Northwest Webster; 14 – Algona; 16 – at Algona Invitational.