Hastings, NE – The Hastings College volleyball team has released its 2023 schedule as the Lady Broncos look to build on last years success by qualifying for nationals for the first time since 2018.
Hastings had its first winning season under Head Coach Alex Allard by going 20-15 and also finished seventh in the Great Plains Athletic Conference. Hastings picked up an at-large bid to nationals where Hastings hosted Texas Wesleyan and joined every other GPAC team to win its opening round matchup to advance to Sioux City. There the Lady Broncos put up a good fight but lost in four sets to Park and Concordia.
Hastings finished the year and three all-conference members led by Miriam Miller's 2nd Team All-Conference honor as a libero.
"I'm already very excited about this upcoming season and I know the girls are as well," Allard said. "We've got a handful of returners who are still on a high from competing in the National Championship Tournament last year and tons of freshmen who I know will come in our gym and contribute to the competitive culture."
Coach Allard talks about expectations for the year to come.
"My expectations for this upcoming season will be to get back to the NAIA National Tournament and then advance out of pool play," Allard continued. "We have some key players returning who will be upperclassmen and plan to lead the charge. Miriam Miller, our libero from Pius X, will take hold of the back row and continue to showcase her skills that earned her all conference honors last season. Makenna Asher, our setter from St. Cecilia, will be starting her senior year as our 5-1 setter. Makenna is such a fierce competitor and will not only run the offense, but has become a more offensive option in the setter position this spring. Majesta Valasek, our outside hitter from Broken Bow, will be the only other senior on the team and I expect big things from her this season on and off the court. Majesta has been such a great teammate and leader this spring while also improving her offensive skill set. She always gives 100% and puts the team dynamic before herself every single day in the gym."
With some changes to the front row coming in 2023, coach Allard touched on who to look for moving into the 2023 season.
"The biggest change from last season to this season will be in the middle blocker position," Allard said. "Since we graduated two senior middles, we have some great players who are hungry to take those roles. Grace Branson, a junior from Lawrence, KS, has developed so much over the spring and continues to thoroughly impress me in her new position. Kaitlin Thiebauth, a sophomore middle from Elkhorn South, has become an offensive threat and is a natural blocker. We have also added a transfer middle blocker Sydney Mills, who is originally from Colorado but has a collegiate season under her belt already. I'm excited to see the players in this position compete and flourish and we get preseason underway."
Coach Allard also touched on her incoming class and what to expect from her largest recruiting class.
"As for our incoming freshmen, we've got a melting pot of competitors from various places (Netherlands, Missouri, Montana, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Florida and some home grown Nebraska natives) that are excited to represent Hastings College on the volleyball court," Allard continued. "This fall we will have the biggest incoming class (18 players) as well as the most diverse. I'm so excited to see these players bond, develop, and learn together as one team!"
You can see Hastings kick off its season hosting the Hastings College Classic and will take on Mid-America Christian Aug. 25 followed by a match up with Oklahoma Wesleyan. On Aug. 26 the Lady Broncos will take on Bethel (KS) followed by a game against Kansas Wesleyan.
Then Hastings dives right into conference action taking on Concordia Aug. 29.
For the rest of the schedule, click here.
