The Reeths-Puffer volleyball team is coming off a couple of tough seasons, including a very difficult 7-30-1 campaign in 2023.
Based on the skill and experience the team will have this year, the losing trend may be coming to an end.
The players sure seem to think so. They have already dubbed the new year – which starts on Wednesday at the Whitehall Invitational – the "RPVB Comeback Season.”
“We will have much more talent and maturity on our team this year from the seniors that have developed, and the incoming juniors will certainly add to that,” said R-P head coach Justin Birr.
Mady Snyder
A big part of the Rockets’ optimism heading into the season is the return of its three top offensive players – seniors Mady Snyder and Alissa Klopp (both outside hitters) and junior Mairyn Peterson (middle hitter).
Snyder, an All-Conference selection last year, led the team with 206 kills in 2023 while Klopp had 140 and Peterson had 116.
“Both Alissa and Mairyn played on national club teams, the highest level of club team, so they have improved their level of play in the offseason,” Birr said. “The three of them led the team in kills last season and will likely do so again this season.”
Two other returning front row players – senior Hailey Johnsen (65 kills last season) and junior Makayla Disselkoen (29 kills, 13 blocks) – are also expected to add to the offensive attack.
“Both have been impressive in the offseason, and they should have bigger offensive roles than last year,” Birr said.
Mairyn Peterson
Of course, a team’s offense is only as good as its setter, who sets up the plays and gets the ball to the big hitters.
Two returnees – seniors Mady Dyer and Grace Darke – both played the position at times last year and are vying for the starting role this season.
“They both could quarterback our offense this fall, and it will be a very difficult decision on who gets the starting job,” Birr said.
“Our offense is looking more powerful and more balanced this year. We have all returning varsity players offensively.”
Alissa Klopp
Defensively, the Rockets will have to replace Megan Barmes at the all-important libero position. Barmes, who graduated in the spring, tied the single-season school record for digs with 312 last year and won All-Conference honors.
Seniors Kiera Ketner and Aubree Wilks and juniors Mallorie Messer and Carlee Bowen are competing for that spot, and all of them will be big contributors on defense, according to the coach.
The Rockets will again compete in the O-K Green conference, but it has changed dramatically from the past couple of years, with several new schools joining the league and others shifting out.
Hailey Johnsen
For some R-P teams, that might be good news, because the conference might be a little less challenging. But that won’t be the case in volleyball, according to Birr.
“We have Mona Shores again, and we’re adding Jenison, Caledonia, and Byron Center,” he said. “That means that our conference got a whole lot stronger. Jenison is normally state ranked, and Caledonia and Byron Center are no jokes, either. It will definitely be a tough conference to play in.”
Overall Birr is encouraged by the potential of his roster, but isn’t making any bold predictions as the season gets rolling.
“We are still a smaller team (in terms of height) that is going to have to be scrappier than other bigger Division 1 opponents,” the coach said. “We are also still looking for that go-to offensive player to step up and become reliable in clutch situations on a consistent basis.”