Larks fall to top ranked Cowley County in home opener
The Hesston College volleyball team welcomed Cowley County Community College (Arkansas City, Kan.) to Yost Center on Wednesday night, Sept. 1, for the Larks home opener of the 2010 season. The visiting Tigers, ranked #1 in pre-season NJCAA division II polls, left with the win after topping Hesston in three games (12-25, 11-25, 10-25).
Janelle Jenkins (Aurora, Colo.) led the Larks with nine defensive digs, while Kate Steury (New Paris, Ind.), Nicole Chapman (Kansas City, Kan.) and Megan McFadden (Pretty Prairie, Kan.) each tallied three kills on the offensive side.
Up next for the Larks is a weekend trip to Vernon, Texas, for a tournament Sept. 3-4.
2010 Season Preview:
Larks looks to rebound in 2010
The Hesston College volleyball program looks forward to a promising season
with second-year coach Kristin Rhodes entering the 2010 campaign with five
sophomores and a talented nine-member recruiting class in place.
Returning sophomores include setter/outside hitter Hannah Hoffman (Bendena,
Kan.), middle blocker Delaney Schlake (Beatrice, Neb.), opposite hitter Megan
McFadden (Pretty Prairie, Kan.) and defensive specialists Janelle Jenkins
(Aurora, Colo.) and Allison Martin (Crawfordsville, Iowa.)
New to the
Larks’ roster are outside hitters Alyssa Horst (Orrville, Ohio,) Ashley Oglesbee
(Ellinwood, Kan.) and Nicole Chapman (Kansas City, Kan.), middle blockers Kate
Steury (New Paris, Ind.) and Kendra Mast (Dundee, Ohio), opposite hitter Becca
Erb (Hesston, Kan.), setter Keyla Thacker (Satanta, Kan.), and defensive
specialists Amanda Smith (Haven, Kan.) and Kaitlin Elkins (Batson,
Texas.)
Following a 2009 season that saw Hesston volleyball face
adversity, the theme for the season is “New year, New look, New
attitude.”
“The girls and I couldn't be more excited,” Rhodes said.
“The new attitude is going to surround the concept of ‘family’ and the power of
prayer. It is my goal to be a leader of leaders, and the assistants and I are
dedicated to teaching these girls the skills they need to become leaders on and
off the court. This season and team hold incredible potential that I can’t wait
to see unleashed!”
Season highlights include:
- During homecoming weekend festivities, Sept. 24 to 25, the Larks will host the Hesston Invitational. At the homecoming picnic, players will hold a meet and greet autograph session with fans and alumni.
- An Oct. 4 home match versus Fort Scott Community College will mark this year’s “Think Pink Night,” an annual fundraiser that benefits the Susan G Koman for the Cure foundation.
- Sat., October 30 will be sophomore night as the Larks battle with rival Bethel College.
As usual, the 2010 schedule pits the Larks against some of the nation’s best competition, including home matches against Cowley County Community College (Arkansas City, Kan.) and Johnson County Community College (Overland Park, Kan.), ranked first and fourth in pre-season NJCAA division II national polls, respectively.
Horst and Mast sign letters
 Alyssa Horst |
 Kendra Mast |
Hesston College volleyball coach Kristin Rhodes has announced the additions of Alyssa Horst, Smithville (Ohio) High School, and Kendra Mast, Hiland (Berlin, Ohio) High School, as the newest members of the Hesston program.
Horst, a 5'5" outside hitter from Orrville, Ohio, was a captain her senior year for Smithville High, helping her team to league and sectional championships, as well as a berth in the state tournament final four. A three-year varsity letter-winner, Horst earned first-team all-league and second-team all-district honors following her senior year in which she racked up 182 kills.
A Presidential Scholarship recipient at Hesston, Horst is also an accomplished student who will pursue a degree in art education.
Horst attends Martins Mennonite Church in Orrville, Ohio, and is active in the youth group there.
“I’m very happy to know Alyssa will be playing volleyball at the collegiate level,” commented Smithville High coach Heidi Hartzler. “She’s a great leader and team player and should have a successful year.”
“We are ecstatic to have Alyssa on board,” added Rhodes. “She already has several connections to campus, including one to incoming teammate Kendra Mast, as they played club ball together. She’s a great athlete and has a strong work ethic on and off the court.”
Horst is the daughter of Roger and Janet Horst, Orrville.
Kendra Mast, a 5'8" middle hitter from Dundee, Ohio, was a first-team all-district player her senior year, as well as a two-time second-team all-conference performer. She was an important part of a Hiland High team that finished as district runners-up in each of the last two seasons.
Not just an athlete, Mast was a mainstay on the honor roll throughout her high school years, and is a Dean’s Scholar recipient at Hesston College.
Mast attends Walnut Creek Mennonite Church, Walnut Creek, Ohio, and participates in the youth group there.
“I am incredibly excited to have Kendra as a part of this campus and program,” said Rhodes. “She has a sweet spirit that will be a huge attribute to our team. She comes in with a significant amount of experience in the middle, which will be key for us this season.”
Mast is the daughter of Conrad and Jane Mast, Walnut Creek.
Thacker to play for the Larks
 Keyla Thacker |
Keyla Thacker, a 5'5" setter from Satanta (Kan.) High School, has signed a letter of intent to play volleyball at Hesston College.
Thacker was an all-league honorable mention player the past two seasons for Satanta, as well as an all-league honorable mention basketball player her senior year. During her senior year, Thacker racked up 362 assists while helping lead her volleyball team to a regional championship.
Elsewhere, Thacker attends First Baptist Church in Satanta.
“Keyla is a great setter with a lot of raw talent that I am really excited to see develop over the next two years,” said Hesston volleyball coach Kristin Rhodes. “She is a smart player and an awesome young lady. I have no doubt that she will have an immediate impact on the floor.”
Thacker is the daughter of David and Penny Thacker, Satanta.
Rhodes adds to growing volleyball class with Oglesbee signing
 Ashley Oglesbee |
Ashley Oglesbee, a 5'7" outside hitter from Ellinwood (Kan.) High School, has signed a letter of intent to play volleyball at Hesston College.
Oglesbee was a four-year starter and letter winner during her time at Ellinwood High, and was named to the all-conference second team following her junior year. During her senior year, Oglesbee recorded 226 kills, 188 digs, and a school-record 63 service aces.
Throughout high school, Oglesbee participated in four varsity sports, including track (two years), and a year each in basketball and softball.
Oglesbee is an accomplished student as well, having maintained Principal’s Honor Roll status throughout eight semesters at Ellinwood High. A Kansas Honor Scholar, Oglesbee will pursue a nursing degree at Hesston.
Elsewhere, Oglesbee is active in her youth group at First Baptist Church, Ellinwood.
“Ashley has improved greatly over the last four years,” said Laurie Fast, coach for Ellinwood High. “She will be missed by the team and coaches.”
Oglesbee is the daughter of Gary and Stephanie Oglesbee, Ellinwood.
Steury and Chapman sign volleyball letters
Less than two weeks after announcing her first two signings for the upcoming season, Hesston College volleyball coach Kristin Rhodes has added two more players.
The newest additions include Kate Steury, a 5'11" outside/middle hitter from Bethany Christian School (Goshen, Ind.) and Nicole Chapman, a 5'7" outside hitter from Turner High School (Kansas City, Kan.).
 Kate Steury |
Steury was an important part of a Bethany program that finished as sectional runners-up the last two years.
Aside from volleyball, Steury was involved in cheerleading for Bethany Christian. A Dean’s Scholarship recipient at Hesston College, Steury made the honor roll for three semesters, and was once named to the high honor roll, signifying perfect attendance for a year.
Steury is an active leader in her youth group at North Goshen Mennonite Church, and also participates in the worship group there.
“Kate has a lot of raw athletic talent that I am excited to see develop over the next couple of seasons,” said Rhodes. “She brings a positive, bubbly demeanor to the floor that will help the team. She is very carefree, and I expect her ‘don’t worry about it; let’s get the next one’ attitude to be contagious.”
Steury is the daughter of Doug and LuAnn Steury, New Paris, Ind.
 Nicole Chapman |
A versatile athlete, Chapman was freshman starter for the softball team at Turner High.
Chapman was an honor roll student and plans to major in nursing at Hesston College.
Off the court, Chapman is very involved in New Life Family Church in Kansas City, singing in the church choir and volunteering in the nursery and with community clean-up projects.
“Nicole is ready for the challenge of college volleyball,” said Turner High coach Anita Vanderpool. “I’m confident she will rise to the occasion.”
“Nicole brings a lot of varsity and club experience to the court,” added Rhodes. “She has a sound knowledge of the game and expects her teammates to work hard. I think her drive and leadership skills will be valuable for us next fall.”
Chapman is the daughter of Jack and Barbara Chapman, Kansas City.
Rhodes announces first two signings for 2010 class
Hesston College volleyball coach Kristin Rhodes has announced the signings of two players for the upcoming season.
The newest additions include Amanda Smith, a 5'3" defensive specialist from Haven (Kan.) High School, and Becca Erb, a 5'11" opposite hitter from Hesston (Kan.) High School.
 Amanda Smith |
A two-sport athlete, Smith helped the Haven High softball team to a third place finish in the 2007 state tournament.
Off the court, Smith is an active member of her youth group, has been a constant on the honor roll at Haven High, and has been named to the Principal’s Honor Roll three times.
“Amanda’s character is defined by her drive to succeed and her ability to work with others,” said Haven High volleyball coach Katelyn Thomas. “Her capacity to hold firm to her convictions and faith amidst the pressures that so many high school students fall victim to has impressed me. A bright, hard-working and caring individual, Amanda is a dedicated student-athlete.”
“Amanda is a passionate young lady, and her work ethic and drive will be great assets to us for the next two years,” added Rhodes. “She is a solid defensive specialist who will step right into our defense. I’m excited about her leadership capabilities and expect her to be a positive role model on and off the court.”
Smith is the daughter of Rick and Tish Smith, Partridge, Kansas.
 Becca Erb |
Erb was a two-year letter winner in volleyball for Hesston High, helping the Swathers to a second place league finish in 2008. That same year, Hesston finished third at the Canton-Galva (Kan.) Tournament. At the same tournament a year later, Erb helped the Swathers to a fourth place finish.
In addition to her time with Swather volleyball, Erb also participated in basketball for one year and ran track for two years.
Erb’s high school activities were not limited to the court, as she has participated in the school’s musical, play and choir. She is a member of Hesston Mennonite Church, and as a part of the youth group recently took a mission trip to Haiti. An honor roll recipient, Erb also excels in the classroom.
“Becca has worked hard to become a strong left-handed hitting and blocking force on the right side,” said Hesston High volleyball coach Jason Peters. “She has been a great person to have on the team, and we wish her success as she competes at the next level.”
“I am excited about what Becca brings to the team on and off the court,” added Rhodes. “She is a solid player and a great student with natural leadership skills. I expect great things from her during the next two years.”
Erb is the daughter of Jim and Jan Erb, Hesston.