‘We are the underdogs’

The Panthers volleyball team has a new face at the helm this season as Naomi Sharp takes over head coaching duties.

This is a return for Sharp as she was a head coach for Creston for two years, taking a hiatus after her husband’s family tragically died in 2018.

When the coaching position became available this year, she knew it was time to come back to the team.

In addition to her Creston coaching experience, Sharp coached nine years at East Union as well ascoaching AAU teams in the offseason.

After a 5-20 record a year ago, Sharp knows the Panthers have their work cut out for them.

“We are the underdogs, and I like being in that position,” Sharp said. “They think, oh it’s just Creston, but the girls have put in the work and we’re ready.”

The team brings back much of their varsity lineup from a year ago, including both starting setters.

“That’s always really nice,” Sharp said. “Hollynn [Rieck] and Kadley [Bailey] do a great job. They have quick feet, get to the ball and have great defense too. They get the best possible set up for a hit.”

Both strong servers, Bailey had a team-high 92.8% serving efficiency last season while Rieck had 28 aces.

“Kadley, no bigger than she is, she sees the floor so well,” Sharp said. “It’s crazy how well she reads defenses as a hitter, as a setter.”

Another major returner for the Panthers is senior Mila Kuhns, the team’s libero.

“She’s firecracker; she’s all over the place,” Sharp said. “She’s a huge vocal player as well. She helps hitters read the floor; she tells them what’s open. She’s a huge asset and a great passer. She’s got a winning mindset and a hard worker. We’re excited to have her back this year.”

Kuhns had a team-high 215 digs a season ago. This year she will have assistance in the back row from junior Avery Staver.

“I told them both I wish we could have two liberos,” Sharp said. “That’s when we are most successful is when they are in the back row together. A ball doesn’t hit the floor.”

The team played conference opponents Red Oak and Lewis Central last weekend in a scrimmage day at Atlantic.

Sharp said she was happy to see the team digging the ball well against bigger schools.

The team had no Hawkeye 10 wins last season.

“I’m planning on winning some,” Sharp said. “I think the hope is that you knock off some of the not super big powerhouses - Deniosn, Clarinda, Atlantic... I’d like to see us fighting in those games and taking some of them.”

Junior outside hitter Jaycee Hanson is the team’s only all-conference returning after earning honorable mention a year ago.

“She’s put in a ton of work this offseason,” Sharp said. “She’s lifted weights at school and did some extra with her dad at Hanson Fitness. She’s put a ton of work into being a better hitter and that’s showing.”

Hanson had a team-high 85 kills last season.

Junior Braylee Pokorny will be back as a middle hitter. She led the team with 21 blocks last year.

“She’s coming along,” Sharp said. “Her timing is something she’s always had to work with, but she’s finding some rhythm and getting her hands over the net for blocks as well.” Pokorny was named the most improved player last year.

The team has three seniors - Kuhns, Kylie Metheny and Ady Morrison.

They open tomorrow at Kuemper Catholic, the reining conference champion.

“Opening against Carroll Kuemper is not who I would pick,” Sharp said. “They always have amazing players and a lot of height. We know we have our work cut out for us to be in these games.”

Their home opener is Sept. 5 against Shenandoah.