MSVB

A brand-new head coach – especially at the middle school level – sometimes worries about keeping all of their troops happy when it comes to the amount of playing time each player receives.

 

But for Tianne Wambsganss, first-year head volleyball coach for Altoona-Midway Middle School, that will certainly not be a problem this season.

 

The AMMS volleyball squad has just six players listed on its 2024 roster – meaning there are no substitutes to deal with.

“Everyone will get plenty of court time,” smiled Wambsganss, who takes over the helm at Altoona-Midway after serving as the assistant coach with Chary Weilert a year ago. “Instead, our worries will be hopefully staying away from injuries and sickness.”

 

The Lady Jets hope that additional playing time will provide valuable experience, as they are currently off to an 0-3 start on the young season.

 

Altoona-Midway most recently traveled to Altamont on Monday to compete in a triangular. AMMS lost both matches, falling to Elk Valley 25-15, (score of second set unavailable); and then to Altamont, 25-14, 25-10.

An early service run by Destiny Raymond (five consecutive good serves) got the Jets off to a good start in the opener, but they were unable to keep that momentum.

 

“Destiny helped us gain an early lead against Elk Valley with her aggressive serves, but once we lost the lead the girls seemed discouraged,” Wambsganss noted. “We also got a spark from Allie Lockhart, who did a great job of hustling after the ball. She is also starting to be more aggressive at the net. 

 

“But overall as a team, we had way too many balls hit the floor without any attempt and that cost us a lot of points in both matches,” the coach added. “But we’ll work on that.”

 

Raymond recorded seven good serves in the twin bill, while Emily Burch, Kinzie Nalley and Klaire Barlow each hit five and Kaylor Lampe and Allie Lockhart notched four apiece.

 

Raymond also led the squad with nine passes, followed by Nalley with six and Lampe and Lockhart with five each.

 

The Jets opened their fall campaign on Sept. 5, hosting a dual match against Thayer at Milo Peterson Gymnasium.

 

The visiting Flyers won that contest, 25-14, 25-6.

 

During the match, Raymond and Barlow each tallied four serves while Lockhart and Lampe had two each and Burch and Nalley notched one apiece. Raymond was credited with eight attacks, Lampe five and Lockhart four.

 

Altoona-Midway (0-3) will be back in action Monday, Sept. 16, when they travel to Mound Valley for a triangular against the hosts and Bartlett.