The Iowa Falls-Alden volleyball team made strides in team culture and player development under first year Head Coach Betsy Dunphy.
Dunphy notes the impact of senior Jaelyn Barrick and character building as a season highlight.
“It was getting to watch a senior like Jaelyn Barrick really be an amazing team player, an amazing leader in her own way. She comes into practice, works as hard as everybody else and was so welcoming and nurturing to our underclassmen. Those are the moments that they make you really smile,” says Dunphy. “At the end of the day, these are young women that are growing up to move on with their lives. If volleyball is a way to teach them how to be good people, then that’s what we’re gonna do. Ultimately, I’m in it to help mold them into being the best versions of themselves that they can be.”
The Cadets received balanced leadership from all four grade levels as freshman Elody England supplied 391 assists, sophomore Carlea Dagel patrolled the net as the top hitter and blocker with 212 kills and 63 blocks, junior Leah Allen commanded the service line with 21 aces and senior Brooklyn Handeland helped defend with 238 digs.
Dunphy on helping returners stay hungry during offseason.
“Helping them balance that, but also helping them stay hungry, I think that’s there for this younger group. I think that they have seen what they’re capable of even as freshmen getting tossed into games, and that they’re able to rise to that occasion. Helping them balance it and supporting the other activities at the high school. We move to elevate everybody, there’s room for everybody to move up.”
The Cadets will graduate six seniors and are projected to return nine players.
Iowa Falls-Alden ended the year at 5-25 overall.
