The 2023 volleyball season was another successful one for the KQRadio area, between high-level team performances and high-level individual performances and everything in between. Let’s get things started with our awards.
Player of the Year: Delainey Bargfrede (Sr.), Webster City
Stats: 159 kills, 413 assists, .097 eff. 31 blocks, 208 digs, 29 aces, 86.9% serve efficiency
A jack of all trades for the Lynx in her final season, Bargfrede was 3rd on the team in kills (159), first on the squad and 3rd in the NCC in assists (413), as well as 208 digs and 31 blocks. Bargfrede proved to be the most valuable and versatile piece to the Lynx in 2023
Defensive Player of the Year: Elliot Ennis (Jr.), Clarion-Goldfield-Dows
Stats: 164 kills, .132 eff., 112 blocks, 33 digs, 18 aces, 92.9% serve efficiency
Ennis stepped into a much large role in her junior season at middle hitter and became a menace on both sides of the net, particularly on the defensive side. Ennis led the NCC in blocks, while also ranking in the top 10 in Class 3A as well, and had the ability to hammer attacks home on the offensive end.
Coach of the Year: Molly Geise, Roland-Story
Geise’s Norsemen took a big step forward with a nucleus full of wily veterans and fresh-faced newcomers. Roland-Story was only a couple of points away from a Heart of Iowa Conference title, and didn’t back down from the challenge of eventual state qualifier Union Community in the 3A Postseason.
All-Area First-Team:
OH: Brookelyn Jondle (Fr.) Roland-Story
Stats: 212 kills, .151 eff., 51 assists, 18 blocks, 276 digs, 37 aces, 85.5% serve efficiency
Jondle led the listening area in kills (212) as a freshman, and showcased moments of dominance with her attacks. Jondle also made differences with her passing, while remaining very active on the defensive end, finishing 2nd on the team in digs.
MH: Kamryn Lande (Jr.) Roland-Story
Stats: 201 kills, .336 eff., 8 assists, 67 blocks, 85 digs, 21 aces, 93% serve efficiency
It was a tough decision whether to go with Lande or Elliot Ennis at middle hitter, but Lande’s all-around statistics put her over the top for the first-team nod. Lande was second on the team in kills, but her attack efficiency rate of .336 was the best in the Heart of Iowa Conference.
RS: Madelyn Risdal (Sr.) Roland-Story
Stats: 181 kills, .184 eff., 3 assists, 40 blocks, 49 digs, 8 aces, 82.8% serve efficiency
A First-Team All-Area selection in 2022, Risdal rounds out a Norsemen led front-line for a 1st team, finishing 3rd on the team in kills with 181 from her right side attacker spot. Risdal also provided good reinforcement on the defensive end, as her 40 blocks was 2nd on the squad.
OH: Olivia Gallentine (Jr.) Webster City
Stats: 197 kills, .163 eff., 27 assists, 35 blocks, 53 digs, 4 aces, 78.3% serve efficiency
Gallentine showed flashes as a sophomore with her attacks. As a junior, she led Webster City in kills, falling just short of 200, and showcased her athleticism time and time again, even providing sparks at the net defensively.
Libero: Indy Johnson (Jr.) Clarion-Goldfield-Dows
Stats: 34 kills, .025 eff., 70 assists, 450 digs, 39 aces, 89.1% serve efficiency
An honorable mention selection on the 2022 All-Area teams, Johnson took full reigns of the libero spot in 2023 and led the North Central Conference in digs with 450. Johnson also provided a reliable passing option as well, with 70 assists on the year.
Setter: Miley Geise (Fr.) Roland-Story
Stats: 37 kills, .212 eff., 380 assists, 1 blk, 160 digs, 67 aces, 91.1% serve efficiency
The youngest Geise split time at setter with senior Ali Charlson throughout the season, but made her contributions count with a team-high 380 kills, which was also 3rd in the Heart of Iowa. Geise’s biggest impact was felt as a server, as she led the Heart of Iowa in aces with 67.
Utility: Delainey Bargfrede (Sr.) Webster City
See Player of the Year for Stats and Description