Youthful Vikings Look to Surprise

Rebuilding a team is not an easy thing to do, but Dana College Head Volleyball Coach Rayna Cain is looking to do it quickly.  Dana returns four starters and eight players who had varsity experience last season.  Combine that with a strong recruiting class of 12 players, the tools of a successful season are at hand.

“We are looking forward to the start of the 2007 volleyball season,” said Cain in her second year as head coach of the Vikings.  “The word ‘potential’ comes to mind when I think of the volleyball program.  We will have one of the youngest programs in the Great Plains Athletic Conference.”

The Vikings return Honorable Mention All-GPAC blocker Kali Brayfield (SO, Elkhorn, Neb.).  Last season, Brayfield led Dana with a total of 136 blocks (52 solo blocks) and was second on the team in kills with 194.  Brayfield blocked her way into the single season record book with solo blocks (52), assist blocks (84), and total blocks (136). Also returning for the Vikings is outside hitter Lacie Greiner (SO, Boone, Iowa).  Greiner was third on the team in kills with 180.  Return specialist Kira Presler (SR, Omaha, Neb.) served 27 aces and 240 digs as a junior.  Kourtnie Nisius (SO, Newton, Iowa) served 15 aces and had 171 digs during her freshman campaign.

Nichole Elwood (SO, Fremont, Neb.) will return this season after red-shirting last season due to injury.  As a freshman, Elwood served 69 aces in the 2005 season.  She also set the Dana record with ten aces in a five-game set.  Also, returning for Coach Cain’s troops is Nicole Venditte (SO, Omaha, Neb.).  Venditte is a defensive specialist who had 37 digs and 141 assists last season.  Senior defensive specialist Mellissa Bokemper (Winside, Neb.) and versatile Danielle Davis (SO, Nebraska City, Neb.) look to add depth and experience to the Viking roster.

Dana will look to the future with its incoming recruiting class.  Coach Cain has signed 11 freshmen and one transfer.  Brittney Williams (Luverne, Minn.) transfers to Dana from Minnesota West Community and Technical College.  Williams, a setter, was a two-time First Team MCCC All-Southern Division selection and was a First Team Junior College All-American.  She will be asked to help jump start the Viking attack. 

Danielle Neville (Grand Island, Neb.) comes to Dana College from Grand Island Northwest where she was a second team Class B All-State selection.  She also owns the career record for kills at Grand Island Northwest.  April Fitch (Creighton, Neb.) will help the Viking attack this season.  Fitch was an All-Conference selection last season.

Beth Peal (Omaha, Neb.) and Stephanie Connell (Harlan, Iowa) are two additional setters who look to compete for court time.  Peal was a member of the Millard South team and an All-Metro squad.  Connell was a three-time First Team All-Conference setter for Harlan High School. 

Four talented outside hitters join the Viking squad.  Kristina Wiles (Plattsmouth, Neb.), Amberly Heslinga (Shenandoah, Iowa), Megan Higgins (Council Bluffs, Iowa), and Jill Sieh (Avoca, Iowa) will provide depth this season for Dana.  The Vikings also added a pair of defensive specialists in Casey Smith (Yutan, Neb.) and Erin Shanahan (Omaha, Neb.).  Brittany Dux, a middle blocker from Fairbury, Neb., was a two-time all-state selection.

The young Vikings will have its work cut out for them this season.  Looming on the conference schedule are two national qualifiers, Hastings and Northwestern.   Hastings advanced out of pool play in the NAIA National Tournament before being eliminated.   Northwestern went 1-2 in pool play and did not advance. 

The Vikings also will play four more 20-plus match winners within the GPAC schedule.  Dana will renew its rivalry at home against Peru State.  The Vikings will play in three tournaments this season and host a double header against Friends University.  Dana’s last non-conference match will be against Grace University of Omaha.

“We have the ability to compete strongly within the conference,” said Cain.  “The returning players, along with the incoming athletes, will help to make our team more competitive.  As each of these athletes grows, becomes stronger, and adapts to the pace of the collegiate game, their contributions on the court will be exciting to watch.”

Dana College finished 6-25 overall last season and at the bottom of the GPAC with a 1-15 record.  The Vikings open the season at home on Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. against Peru State and then on Aug. 29 open conference play against Mount Marty.

For more information please contact Shad Beam, Sports Information 402-426-7389.