Gaels anxious to get volleyball season started
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The St. Edmond volleyball team enters 2026 with high expectations, as they return a handful of key starters from a 10-win campaign a year ago.
For the first time since 2017-18, the Gaels carry a streak of back-to-back double-digit win totals with them. The 29 victories over the past two years are the most since they won 27 matches between 2016-17.
Head coach Lindsay Heffernan has had an entire offseason to work with her players after taking over on an interim basis last fall, leading them to a pair of Class 1A postseason victories.
"It has been great to get camps and the first week of practice under our belts," Heffernan said. "The girls in the gym have done a great job of adjusting to my coaching style and meeting the expectations and standards of our gym.
"I have a great coaching staff to help run drills, keep players accountable and have great conversations at the end of practice. All that helps to make coaching easier and more comfortable."
Everything starts with Eden Horn, as the sophomore is coming off a season in which she recorded 258 kills and 69 blocks. That earned her all-North Central Conference status.
Seniors Chloe Palmer and Abby Huss have been full-time starters as well, with sophomore Ella Vandi also back after starting 16 matches.
Palmer had 95 kills and 209 digs in 2025. Huss recorded 503 assists with 125 digs. Vandi chipped in 27 assists with 346 digs. Vandi had 33 serving aces, as both Palmer and Huss recorded 24.
"I can't wait to see where the year takes these girls," Heffernan said. "Eden is looking stronger than ever, Chloe is a really good athlete on the outside, and Ella is stepping up as a leader in the back row."
Rihanna Myers, an all-state softball player this past summer alongside Vandi, is also back after making eight starts with junior Olivia Andrew joining her.
"Rihanna has been looking really good over the past week, both swinging and setting," Heffernan said. "Liv is someone who will step in with skills and knowledge of the game needed to fill some vacancies from last year."
Rounding out the roster will be senior Morgan Lewis; junior Ellasyn Whitmore; sophomore Breckyn Ulrich; freshman Baylor Ulrich; and eighth-grader Emerie Horn.
St. Edmond will need to replace the likes of graduated players Anna Lursen, Faith Shirbroun, Ava Underberg and Ava Andrew from the rotation.
"We lost (athletes at) some key positions," Heffernan said. "But we have players working hard at filling those spots."
After opening with returning NCC rival Eagle Grove, on Thursday, the Gaels will host their own invitational Saturday. The field includes Bishop Garrigan, Pocahontas Area, Southeast Valley, Webster City and Aplington-Parkersburg.
"As always, the goal is to qualify for state and climb to the top when we get there," Heffernan said. "In the meantime, goal setting is what we did during our first practice.
“I am big on creating more than just athletes…making sure we are developing great people who are willing to be disciplined to get to where they want to go."
The NCC has also put into play a new format for league matches, with teams hosting quadrangulars throughout the year. St. Edmond will be involved in those three different times.
Heffernan will be assisted by Alyssa Jones and Hailey Haupts this season.
2026 ST. EDMOND VOLLEYBALL
Roster
Seniors – Morgan Lewis, Chloe Palmer, Abby Huss.
Juniors – Ellasyn Whittmore, Olivia Andrew.
Sophomores – Ella Vandi, Breckyn Ulrich, Eden Horn, Rihanna Myers.
Freshman – Baylor Ulrich.
Eighth-grader – Emerie Horn.
Schedule
Aug. 27 – Eagle Grove; 29 – host St. Edmond Invitational.
Sept. 1 – at Storm Lake; 3 – Clarion-Goldfield/Dows; 10 – at Eagle Grove; 15 – at Forest City; 19 – at CYO Tournament in Sioux City; 24 – at Charles City; 29 – Garner-Hayfield/Ventura.
Oct. 6 – at Hampton-Dumont/CAL; 10 – at BCLUW Invitational; 13 – at Manson Northwest Webster; 15 – at Iowa Falls-Alden; 17 – at Algona Invitational.