The Wagner Red Raiders volleyball team is demonstrating early success, building on their experience from last year’s state tournament appearance. The team currently holds a 6-1 record after winning six consecutive matches.
Much of Wagner’s fast start is attributed to a core of returning players, including senior middle hitters Ravyn Medricky, Brianna Fuchs, and Mateya Bruguier, junior outside hitter Hannah Holzbauer, and senior setter Braxton Nedved. Wagner opened the season with a loss to Vermillion, a team also receiving votes in the South Dakota Prep Media Class A volleyball poll.
Wagner head coach Stacey Knebel highlighted the team’s versatility and leadership. “I just love the versatility that we have across the roster,” Knebel said Tuesday after Wagner's win over Mount Vernon/Plankinton. “I am trying a lot of different girls in a lot of different positions, but we have been settling in with a few positions. But the leadership that I have on the floor this year, the verbal talk with my seniors, has been awesome to see. My key players are really stepping up and talking a little more, and sometimes I give them the timeout to take care of business instead of me, which has been good.”
Nedved has been a key player, recording 146 set assists, 23 kills, and a team-best eight service aces through seven matches. Holzbauer leads the team offensively with 58 kills and a .256 hitting percentage, and also defensively with 61 digs. Medricky has added 38 kills, while Bruguier has 29 and Fuchs has 26. Knebel praised Nedved’s ability to distribute the ball effectively, stating, “We have an amazing setter in Braxton, who moves the ball around like no other. She can put the ball in anybody's hand, and because of that, our hitting is one of our biggest strengths. We have got hitters she can dish it to from all the way around.”
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