By Chris Parker
New Covenant volleyball has finished at or above .500 for six straight seasons. That streak is poised to continue with two-time Mark Twain Conference MVP Hatty Hesemann returning for her senior year at setter.
“Hatty is an incredibly talented player who has had a big impact on our program. She has a great love for the game, and it shows every time she steps out on the court,” New Covenant head coach Lindsey Letsinger said. “We’ll be sad to see her go, but we’re proud of her and her accomplishments. We are excited that she has decided to play for MSU and that we’ll be able to watch her at the collegiate level.”
Malorri McBurnie (senior defensive specialist), Raegan Ellis (senior right side), Ashlynn Mason (sophomore middle), Audrey Mouery (sophomore outside hitter/defensive specialist) and Addison Cuquet (sophomore right side) also return from last season’s 17-win team.
Letsinger on McBurnie: “Mal has worked hard throughout her high school career and improves immensely each season, and I know this season will be no exception. She is small in size but brings a big presence when on the court. Her leadership with her younger teammates has been fun to watch during the off season, and I’m excited to see it continue during the upcoming season.”
Letsinger on Ellis: “Raegan is the type of player that every coach wants to have on their team. She is a hard worker, a natural leader, and a great encouragement to her teammates and coaches. Raegan is a multi-sport athlete (volleyball, softball, and basketball), which helps her on the court. She has played different positions during her high school career, and this year she will be filling the role as one of our right side hitters.”
Letsinger on Mason: “Ashlynn did a wonderful job last season filling in as one of varsity middles. She has worked hard during the offseason and has improved on her blocks and swing speed. She may not be the tallest presence at the net, but she makes up for it with her speed and knowledge of the game. Ashlynn is also a reliable defender on the back row, which makes her a valuable asset for our team.”
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Letsinger on Mouery: “Audrey is one who loves the game and loves the work that goes into it. Audrey came in last year as a freshman and played opposite one of our senior hitters. She has a good swing and is quick on the back row. We haven’t decided where Audrey will be officially playing on the court this season, but we know she will adapt and succeed wherever we need her.”
Letsinger on Cuquet: “Addie is a hard worker and quick on the front row. We plan on playing Addie in a different position this season, and we are excited to see her blossom and succeed on the court.”
Juniors Gracie Whalen (outside hitter) and Audrey Cannefax (middle) along with freshmen Maelee Schulze (freshman outside hitter) and Jenna Jackson (defensive specialist) will be newcomers to watch.
Letsinger on Whalen: “Gracie will be a junior this year. She has put a lot of hard work in this summer to earn a spot on the varsity roster. She not only has a quick swing, but a natural leadership with her younger classmates that has been a blessing to watch grow over the summer.”
Letsinger on Cannefax: “Audrey is a multi-sport athlete (volleyball, basketball, and soccer), which helps her have an extra edge on the court. She reads the ball well and we’re anticipating a lot of good things out of her this season.”
Letsinger on Schulze: “Maelee has come in this summer and has quickly developed chemistry with her new teammates. She is cool, calm, athletic, and a smart player. She is aggressive and will play a major role as either an outside or right side hitter.”
Letsinger on Jackson: “Jenna has a good work ethic and is fundamentally sound. She will play a major role on our JV, but I do believe that she will also be seeing varsity time during this season. She plays with confidence and a firm knowledge of the game. I’m excited to watch her skills develop during this season.”
New Covenant has put together a strong offseason that has led to a tight-knit group.
“One of the biggest strengths that this group has this season is their ability to trust each other on and off the court,” Letsinger said. “During the offseason, we have had multiple mixes attending different camps and scrimmages and each one figures out quickly how to play with each other.”
Defense will be key to success for the Lady Warriors, as the team will lack height this season.
“We are not incredibly tall in stature as a team this season, so we’re going to have to continue to cultivate our offense on the back row and enhance our defense on the front row in order to have success throughout the season,” Letsinger said. “We have been working throughout the offseason and have already seen success, so I’m excited to see my girls continue to improve during the 2023 season.”
New Covenant will travel to Galena for a jamboree before opening the season on Aug. 25 at Everton.
“I am expecting lots of growth this season, as well as a lot of good volleyball,” Letsinger said. “We have quite a few underclassmen on our varsity roster this season (not only as starters, but also as key players coming off the bench), so we will need to adapt quickly and seamlessly as players come off and on.”
