The Lady Raiders kick off their season with a home match against Vermillion this Thursday, August 29th with the varsity game starting at 7:15 p.m.

The Lady Raiders are coached by Stacey Knebel, head coach; Kelsey DeBey and Tracey Hopkins, assistant coaches; and Junior High coaches Tana Langdeaux and Paige Petry. This is Head Coach Knebel’s 24th year coaching the Raiders’ volleyball team.

This year’s team is relatively young with no senior team members and only three returning letter winners. Juniors include Ashlyn Koupal, Libby Kotab, Brylie Link and Laken Edoff. Braxton Nedved, Ravyn Medricky, Brianna Fuchs, Hayden Knudsen, Emma Kreeger, Mateya Bruguier, Ashtyn Bruguier and Adara Hopkins are sophomore team members. Eighth graders are Bella Kotab, Izzy Myer, Taelyn Knebel, Taeya Havranek, Tegan Langdeaux and TyShay Medicine Bear. Rounding out the team is lone seventh grader, Camry Link.

The team did a lot of work in the offseason. They took part in three team camps which included Harrisburg’s team camp where the Lady Raiders took two teams. Wagner hosted an eight-team drill/team camp in June. Coach Knebel felt it was a successful camp where the girls learned a lot and a lot of volleyball was played. Wagner also hosted a “Train & Play” BOMBS (Building of Minds, Body & Skills) camp with eight local teams.

The team this season will look vastly different than last season. They graduated seven seniors having many veteran players who were excellent leaders. The team had a fantastic post season, beating out rival Parkston and then winning with a five-set thriller in the SoDak 16 match versus Mobridge to advance to the state tournament. They ended their season with a 27-8 record and placed 7th at the Class A State Tournament.

Goals for the 2024 season include getting better at every practice and competition; and to work on the little things that will lead to big things happening. The Lady Raiders will look to Ashlyn Koupal, Braxton Nedved and Ravyn Medricky for leadership on the court this season. One of the team’s toughest matchups will be against Mt. Vernon/ Plankinton.

As head coach, Knebel looks forward to watching the girls develop leadership and take on roles that they challenged last year’s team with. The team is a group of hard-working young women that should be fun to watch develop over the course of the season. Knebel’s coaching philosophy is dedication and discipline. It is important to foster good relationships since they are a huge part of building team culture. The girls are a family and being able to compete together while holding each other accountable is what will help build the Lady Raiders’ volleyball program.

Best of luck on your 2024 volleyball season Lady Raiders!