By Macy Parr
The Silver Lake Volleyball team will be led by second-year head coach Shelby Rupprecht. She will be joined by returning assistant coach Alex Ehrman and Caitlin Crowe. Rupprecht comments, “Coach Ehrman and Crowe benefit the team by bringing positivity to the culture of the team. They encourage the girls but also push them to be their best. They have been super helpful when it comes to different drills and breaking off by positions during practice. They genuinely want all the girls to be successful.” The Mustangs finished with a 16-14 record the previous season, and they only lost four seniors to graduation. This season, the team will comprise six seniors who Rupprecht says helped establish a team-minded culture and will lead the team by example, already putting a lot of work in on the off-season with weights, camps, and open gyms. Some returning senior letter winners include setter and right-side hitter Emma Schmidt, outside hitter Macy Parr, middle blocker Katy Soucek, middle blocker McKenna Pankoke, and defensive specialist Sophie Butler. Schmidt led the team in aces and assists (35 and 257) and Soucek led the team in kills with 209 on the season. Along with the four seniors, junior libero Sophie Schmidt, who earned 407 digs in the 2024 season, will be returning with MaKenna Karr who hit outside last season and earned 121 kills. The Mustangs will add four freshmen to their line-up as well. The team goals for the season are to grow as a team, improve their mental toughness, and have a positive mindset. Rupprecht comments, “I truly could not ask for a better group of girls to work with. I believe they will be successful as long as they keep working hard and keep building a team atmosphere.” The Mustangs will begin their season on Thursday, August 29th on the road as they face the Mustangs of McCool Junction. Their first home game will be on September 10th where they will face Blue Hill.