Kevin Grundhoffer, staff writer
Photo of (top row, left to right) Brier Ziemer, Madison Gully, Torrie Rehder, GK LeMonds, (bottom row, left to right) Angel Vo and Bri Van Well posing for Augsburg Media Day Photos, taken by Kevin Healy on Aug. 2
The Augsburg Volleyball season is up and running in full swing. With the addition of new head coach April Elsbernd, the team has had to quickly adapt to a new system during training camp but have embraced the change.
Elsbernd is an Iowa native who played collegiately for Coe College. She was most recently the head coach of the University of Dubuque where she compiled 228 wins over 15 seasons making her the winningest coach in school history. Elsbernd has given the team a new perspective on the game and a new early season spark.
She was most recently the head coach of the University of Dubuque where she compiled 228 wins over 15 seasons making her the winningest coach in school history.
Kevin grundhoffer
The Auggies started off their season this past weekend with a 2-2 record at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater invitational. When asked about how the tournament went in an interview with the Echo, senior captain and defensive specialist Torrie Rehder was hopeful for the season based on their performance. She said, “we played well, but there is definitely room for improvement.”
The transition to a new coach is not always easy but Rehder stated, “of course there are adjustments to be made with a new coach but we seem to be thriving in the new system.” This is great news for a team with high hopes of making it back to the MIAC playoffs after missing out during the 2023 campaign. The team finished middle of the pack in the MIAC last season with a 17-16 record so there is definitely room for improvement. Rehder also described how the team’s loss in the quarterfinals of the MIAC Playoffs in 2022 and an underwhelming season in 2023 left a sour taste in their mouth, stating, “We want to get back there and win.”
This season, the Auggies bring back the aforementioned Rehder and outside hitter Bri Van Well as last year’s MIAC All-Conference selections. Rehder led the team in digs and was fourth in the MIAC with 482. Van Well led the MIAC and was 33rd in all of division three with 3.92 kills per set. Both players are off to a hot start and were selected to the Whitewater all-tournament team for their stellar play.
The Auggies have several other exciting returners to watch including setter Angel Vo who led the team in assists last year with 496. Blocker GK LeMonds, who was fourth on the team last year in kills with 104, looks to dominate at the net and outside hitter Madison Gully, who was third on the team in kills with 154, looks to improve her offensive attack. Blocker Elizabeth Oster, who led the team with 54 blocks, will combo nicely with LeMonds to wreak havoc upon opponents. Setter Jovial King, who recorded 128 digs, will also be making it stressful for opponents to score. Last but definitely not least, the team returns defensive specialist and libero Brier Zimmer, who was fourth on the team in digs with 220, helping to complete a talented Auggie team.
With such a strong veteran presence, the Auggies have plenty of experience to rely on in order to shoot for a deep playoff run and an appearance in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. The Auggies are back in action on Sept. 13 at the Luther College Triangular in Decorah, Iowa where they will face Luther College and Northland College. You can see the Auggies in their next home game against the College of St. Benedict on Sept. 27 at Si Melby Hall.