Abundance of options thanks to experience and depth should make QND volleyball team dynamic

QUINCY — Depth is a luxury the Quincy Notre Dame girls volleyball players appreciate.

It also creates a challenge they embrace.

“If you’re working hard, it makes another person work hard,” senior outside hitter Avery Keck said. “You’re pushing each other all the way. You’re competing for a spot, but you’re also supporting your team and pushing them. That’s what makes it fun. It’s so competitive. We’re all so competitive.

“That’s what makes this team really fun and sets us apart.”

The amount of skill and firepower the Raiders return is significant. Seven players saw significant time on the court throughout last season’s 32-5 season, and others like Keck have improved significantly throughout the offseason to give QND unlimited options for a six-player rotation.

“Our bench is really deep and we all know we can be replaced in a second, so I think that pushes us to work even harder and prove our spot on the court,” senior defensive specialist Faith Kientzle said.

Whoever is on the court August 24 for the season opener against Unity at The Pit will have earned it.

“We have a ton of options and it’s going to be hard for (QND coach Courtney Kvitle) to pick a lineup,” senior middle hitter Abbey Schreacke said. “Props to her for whoever she figures out works together the best because we have a ton of talented girls that can be out there.”

It should result in a dynamic offense.

Schreacke’s presence is undeniable. The 6-foot pogo stick has the ability to control the net and teams with junior outside hitter Emma Hoing to provide power. The two combined for nearly 500 kills last season with Hoing spending her offseason helping the Rockwood Thunder club team reach the Girls Junior National Championships.

Toss in Keck, junior Delaney Beard and senior Laela Hernandez-Jones and the attack can come from any hitter or any angle.

“Our attacking is going to hurt teams,” Keck said.

The defense will clean it up.

Kientzle and senior Lilly Marth are valuable in the rotation as defensive specialists or as the libero because of their ability to dig balls off the floor and provide quality passes with their serve receive. Sophomore setter Annie Eaton had more than 500 assists last season and distributes the ball well.

“Our chemistry is really good,” Kientzle said. “I trust them and they trust me.”

And they trust last season’s abrupt ending will inspire, not deter them.

The Raiders reached the Class 2A super-sectional for the first time since 2017 and led Pleasant Plains by six points late in the third set before suffering a 14-25, 25-12, 25-23 loss.

“We need to put it in the past, but we can use it as motivation to keep pushing forward,” Kientzle said. “Being that close, it stinks having it ripped away from you. We need to take that last step. We’re going to do everything we can to do that this year.”

The experience of several players who were part of QND’s basketball and soccer state championships last season will be critical.

“I want them to feel how I felt with the soccer team and how the basketball team felt and experience all the success we had,” Keck said.

The leadership needed to make that possible is key.

“We will have the experience that it takes,” Schreacke said. “And we have the veterans who will be able to help the underclassmen to bring the level of play up.’’