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.
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:
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.
![]() 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.
![]() 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.
![]() 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.
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 |
![]() Nicole Chapman |
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 |
![]() 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.