2011 Fall Preview: Eagles volleyball team should be among best in conference, section

A group of seven seniors will anchor the New Life Academy volleyball team this fall.

Despite losing five players from last year’s 16-10 club, including captain Rebecca Schmidt, along with Jenae Rankin, Katie Ruhr and Steph Petrich who were all 2011 graduates, NLA head coach Wally Bomgren, now in his second year with the Eagles, expects his team to be among the best in the Minnesota Christian Athletic Association and the section.

Team captains Reagan Baar, Lauren Ruhr and Claire Hawkins will lead the way for the Eagles this fall, along with seniors Ally Lamb and Mikayla Stone. Additionally, eighth graders Abby Thor, Kara Stenerson and Abby Gorter are promising newcomers to the squad.

“They will all play substantial time this season and are fine players already,” Bomgren said. “I have never seen 13-year olds playing this well.”

NLA has already started the season 1-2, losing to East Ridge and St. Croix Lutheran and beating St. Paul Johnson.

Other key dates on the schedule include: Thursday, Sept. 8, at home against West Lutheran, at home against Heritage Christian on Thursday, Oct. 6, and at Southwest Christian on Tuesday, Oct. 18.

“Our mix of seven seniors on varsity along with a strong and growing junior high program makes this season look real interesting,” Bomgren said. “In fact, the next four or five years should get real interesting as these younger kids grow with the sport.”

Tags: fall preview 2011, sports, updates, prep