Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: St. Edmond volleyball returning letterwinners are (left to right) Lauren Gibb, Ansley Oswald and Sasha Hess.

Matt Reynoso will have a very young group of players to work with as he embarks on his first season leading the St. Edmond volleyball program.

Reynoso, who has served as an assistant, was tabbed the interim head coach this fall.

Just one senior and two juniors comprise the roster, as six sophomores and three freshmen round it out.

“We have to learn how to play smart in a short amount of time,” Reynoso said. “The girls didn’t come into the preseason cold on fundamentals; they came in with a lot of skill.

“Now, we have to apply that to playing smart.”

Maddie Reynoso is the lone senior on the team, as 11th-graders Maya Neverman and Abby Lawler join her.

Reynoso saw action in nine matches last year, recording two assists, 12 digs and an ace.

Sasha Hess, Ansley Oswald, Hadley Oswald and Lauren Gibb also saw varsity action as ninth-graders. Gibb played in 26 matches with 50 kills, 14 blocks, 60 digs and 42 aces, Hess played in 31 with 68 digs and two aces, Ansley Oswald saw action in 16 matches with 12 kills, 19 digs and an ace and Hadley Oswald played in one.

Rounding out the roster will be sophomores Lacey Larson and Claire O’Connor, with Faith Shirbroun, Ava Andrew and Ava Underberg newcomers.

Both Oswald twins, Gibb and Shirbroun were key members of the Gael softball team that claimed a share of the North Central Conference this past summer.

“Adjusting to the speed of the game is something we’ve really stressed,” Reynoso said. “We know we aren’t a tall team, but there are things we can do to cover for that. We have to continue to scramble for the ball and when we get a chance to score, we have to take advantage of it.

“I just want them playing with confidence. Confidence that we can compete against taller and better teams.”

St. Edmond will host its home invitational on Saturday, Aug. 27 with Southeast Valley, Bishop Garrigan, Webster City, Pocahontas Area and Aplington-Parkersburg also in attendance.

The Gaels open the year Thursday vs. Greene County and begin NCC play on Sept. 1 at Iowa Falls-Alden.

Reynoso will be assisted by Donn Larson.

2022 ST. EDMOND VOLLEYBALL

Roster

Senior — Maddie Reynoso.

Juniors — Maya Neverman, Abby Lawler.

Sophomores — Sasha Hess, Lacey Larson, Claire O’Connor, Ansley Oswald, Hadley Oswald, Lauren Gibb.

Freshmen — Faith Shirbroun, Ava Andrew, Ava Underberg.

Schedule

Aug. 25 — Greene County; 27 — host St. Edmond Invitational; 30 — at Storm Lake.

Sept. 1 — at Iowa Falls-Alden; 8 — at Algona; 15 — Clarion-Goldfield/Dows; 22 — Webster City; 26 — Eagle Grove; 27 — at Humboldt.

Oct. 6 — Clear Lake; 11 — at Manson NW; 13 — at Hampton-Dumont/CAL.