News Photo by Steve Jakubcin The Alpena High School 2024 volleyball team poses together. From left to right are Coach Kolby Andrews, Laura Poli, Lilly Rospierski, Kiera Prue, Madelynn Cameron, Reaghan Fitzpatrick, Grace Cameron, Olivia Ryan, Paige Samp, Ashlyn Gray, Emily VanHorn, and Coach Kelsey.

ALPENA — As the Alpena Wildcats volleyball team heads into the new season, their focus is on growth, rebuilding, and harnessing the potential of a young squad. With several key players having graduated last year, this season presents a fresh start for the Wildcats, under the guidance of Coach Kolby Andrews.

“We have a very young team this season,” Andrews said. “The majority of our team has no varsity-level experience. Our goal at the moment is to expose our team to good competition and use every opportunity to grow and get better.”

Among the returning players are a few main leaders who will be crucial to the team’s development. Sophomore Madelynn Cameron, who made significant contributions at middle blocker last season, is expected to be an all-around asset to the team. Senior Kiera Prue, known for her powerful hits and strong blocking abilities, along with Reaghan Fitzpatrick, will anchor the team’s defense at the net.

Olivia Ryan, a senior outside hitter, is a player to watch. Andrews described her as “an under-the-radar player,” highlighting her consistency and reliability on the court.

Additionally, the Wildcats are bringing in a promising group of juniors and sophomores who are expected to make an impact not just this season, but in the years to come.

The team’s primary focus, according to Andrews, is on building a solid foundation.

“This year is more about rebuilding,” Andrews said. “There are more new faces than old, including a new setter to run the offense. With time and exposure, the girls will get more comfortable letting their athleticism take over and playing strong volleyball.”

One of the key areas the team is concentrating on improving is their passing game.

“We need to pass better. The better we pass, the more we can expand our offense,” Andrews said, acknowledging that a strong passing game is fundamental to the team’s success.

As the season progresses, the Wildcats plan to approach each matchup with a forward-looking mindset.

“This season we will look forward to the next matchup,” Andrews said. “If we win, we will look forward to the next opportunity to extend our streak. If we lose, we will learn from it and look forward to the next opportunity to perform.”