By Chris Parker
Thayer volleyball had its first winning season in more than a decade last season posting an 18-14-1 record.
Seven total players and two all-conference selections in Danyca Donahue (senior setter) and Abbygail Bowers (junior outside hitter) return.
Drake on Donahue: “Danyca has extremely pretty hands and is really good defensively. She also has a really powerful float serve that scored a lot of points for us last year. I am really excited to see how her senior season goes because she has been putting in so much extra work.”
Drake on Bowers: “Abby is very powerful when it comes to hitting. She is extremely athletic and has been really working on her offense this spring. You will hear her name a lot. She was a first-team all-district pick last year as a sophomore so we are ready to see what she will do this year.”
Hadley Meyer (junior middle hitter), Shaylee Peterson (sophomore outside hitter) and Ashlee Jackson (junior libero) are three of the non-seniors returning.
Drake on Meyer: “Hadley puts up a huge block in the middle and helped out so much offensively last year. She also plays all the way around and is one of our primary passers. She brings a lot to the table.”
Drake on Peterson: “Shaylee is our most consistent player. As a freshman last year, she did not play like one. Shaylee’s calm demeanor brings a peace to our side of the court, and she is one of our most vocal players.”
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Drake on Jackson: “Ashlee is extremely fast and reads the ball well. She is constantly on the floor and always gives a lot of effort. She also has a really good float serve that scores a lot for us.”
Seniors Jaylie Haven and Quincy Counts are two more seniors who have had strong off-seasons according to Drake.
“They have improved tremendously from this time last year,” Drake said. “Jaylie helps out offensively and Quincy is one of our strongest serve receivers along with a dangerous float serve.”
Avery Bowers (sophomore middle hitter) and Jadyn Allen (junior outside hitter) are two newcomers to watch on the varsity level.
“Avery is so tall that she creates a lot of discomfort for other teams. She puts up a really big block and her offensive game is really starting to come along,” Drake said. “Jadyn played JV last year but is continuing to show growth and improvement. She is very encouraging to her teammates and will play a role in our offense this year along with Avery.”
Thayer will look to continued improvement throughout the season in hopes of a deep postseason run.
“Our biggest strength is that we continue to get better and learn with every practice,” Drake said. “We have good attitudes and know that there is so much more room for improvement. We are hungry to win some big games. Plus, our height and athleticism tend to bother a lot of teams.”
Thayer will host a jamboree on Aug. 19 with Koshkonong and Couch. Thayer opens the season on Aug. 28 at home against Couch.
“Expectations are to have another winning season,” Drake said. “We are extremely talented and scrappy. Now we just have to continue building.”
