As the Madison College volleyball team looks to improve upon its 19-14 record from a year ago, it knows it’s going to need a lot of help from its newcomers and leadership from its four returning players.
Middle blocker/right side hitter Kate Howe posted 58 kills and 24 blocks last year. Setters Tricia Klum and Sammy Johnson totaled nearly 600 assists, with Klum also dropping in 25 aces as a server. Defensive specialist Cora Webster was second in digs on the team last season with 274 and an .885 receiving percentage.
“We’ve seen a lot of growth from our returners over the course of the spring and they are excited to take on bigger roles both on the court and as leaders within our program,” Madison College coach Mallory Stone said.
Gone from last year are all-region players Courtney Gorum and Addyson McHugh. They were two of the best hitters in program history. Gorum finished her WolfPack playing career first in total kills, while McHugh was third.
With them gone, Stone expects to see more balance from her team. She said the squad hopes “to be a strong ball control team, with consistent serve receive and defense, allowing us to run a balanced, unpredictable offense.”
With eight strong newcomers, she expects to have the team depth to make a regional run.
“We have depth across all positions and the ability to attack from multiple angles and give a variety of looks offensively,” Stone said. “Our goals include competing for a region title, making a deep postseason run, and continuing to build a competitive, team-first culture. With a lot of new players, there is always the challenge of getting everyone on the same page in such a short amount of time; however, with great leadership, we hope we can be efficient in this realm.”
The newcomers include two sophomores and six true freshmen. Outside hitter Ella Vosberg and defensive specialist/libero Sam Schultz were both part of WIAA State Tournament teams during their high school careers.
Outside hitter Rowan Harder was part of WIAA championship teams in basketball and softball. Fellow outside hitter Makayla was the Eastern Wisconsin Conference Player of the Year and a WVCA Honorable Mention All-State selection.
The group of newcomers also includes libero/defensive specialist Avery Agnew, setter Allie Andrews and middle blocker Caylee Coggins.
“Our incoming class of 2025 brings a lot of talent from across the state and beyond,” Stone said. “With multiple All-State selections and state qualifiers throughout their high school careers, we expect this class to up the level of our gym significantly with their play from day one. We are excited to see this team together in one place working to achieve great things.”
The team opened the season at the Gogebic Community College Open on Aug. 22 and Aug. 23 by winning five matches without dropping a single set. On the first day of the tournament, Madison College defeated Minnesota North College-Vermillion, Minnesota North College-Itasca and Gogebic Community College. On the second day, the WolfPack beat Central Lakes College and Dakota County Technical College.
The home schedule opens with a pair of matches on Aug. 26 and Aug. 28 inside H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium, starting with a match against the College of DuPage, ranked second in the NJCAA Division III Preseason Poll.
Region 4 has five teams ranked in the NJCAA Division II Preseason Poll, four of which are on the WolfPack’s schedule. Rock Valley College, which is ranked No. 24, hosts the WolfPack on Sept. 25. Sauk Valley Community College and Carl Sandburg College, ranked 11th and 25th, will play in the Madison College quad on Oct. 10. Finally, in-state rival Milwaukee Area Technical College is ranked 23rd and plays at Madison College on Oct. 15.