HNS Lady Wildcats feature plenty of depth this season

HARTINGTON — Hartington-Newcastle volleyball coach Sarah Edwards is relying on a lot of depth to help build this year’s team.

The 2024 Wildcat volleyball team features six seniors, five juniors, two sophomores and a whopping eight freshmen.

Edwards will need that depth to help replace four seniors lost to graduation — All Conference performers Mani Lange and Olivia Grutsch, and Honorable Mention All Conference performers Lauren Howell and Zoey Gratzfeld.

That depth should allow Edwards to put as many as 10 different players on the court during the early part of the season, she said.

Edwards is anticipating she will see plenty of floor time from libero Abi Rice and hitters McKenzie Bruning, Maddie Steffen, Cohen Paden, Karissa Bruning, Ella Eickhoff and Vada Lippert.

Setters Lainey Morten and Hazel Hochstein are also expected to vie for floor time.

With so many athletes going after varsity playing time, Edwards said she wouldn’t be surprised to see some new people emerge as the season progresses.

Edwards also expects those eight freshmen to play a big role on this year’s team at some point this season.

‘’There’s a lot of talent in that group,’’ she said. ‘’Once they start to understand things a bit more, they are really going to push for playing time.’’