By Coach Kelly Erickson
The Central volleyball team will look a little different this season as the Warriors enter 2026 with a young and relatively small roster. Central has just 11 high school athletes, which has opened the door for several eighth graders to move up and gain valuable experience at the high school level under the new rule allowing eighth graders to compete with high school teams.
The Warriors return just two starters from last season, but both bring valuable experience and leadership. Senior Brylee Erickson returns as a starting player and will be counted on to lead the young team. Erickson was named first team all-conference last season and has the most varsity experience on the roster. She has embraced her leadership role this season and has done a great job taking charge on the court.
Junior Ella Frieden is the other returning starter. Frieden earned second team all-conference honors last season and will provide experience and stability for the Warriors.
Other juniors includes Makenzie Thorson, Tenley Bormann and Lyla Burns. Thorson and Burns are new to the varsity lineup and will be counted on to contribute in the front row.
Sophomores Carlie Bergan, Zoe Armstrong and Avery Fette will also play important roles. Armstrong will take over as the team’s setter, while the majority of varsity players will be expected to play all-around due to the team’s limited numbers.
Although the Warriors may not have a lot of height, athletic ability is one of the team’s strengths. Central also expects passing to be a strength, and the team has several athletes who are willing to work hard and continue improving.
One of the things I really like about this group is their willingness to work. We may not be the biggest team, and with our numbers, our athletes are going to have to play a lot of different positions. But we have a very athletic group that is willing to put in the work. I think that will be a big strength for us.
Another positive for the Warriors is the amount of experience returning to the varsity court. While several players will be stepping into larger roles this season, all the returning varsity players have seen varsity playing time. That experience should help ease some of the nerves that can come with taking on increased responsibilities.
A number of Central athletes have also spent the offseason working to improve their skills through club volleyball and other volleyball opportunities. We hope that work will translate to the court this season.
With such a young team, our goals extend beyond the win-loss record. One of the biggest goals will be to develop consistency and continue improving throughout the season. The Warriors will look to serve aggressively and consistently, play strong defense and passing and become more efficient offensively as the season progresses.
The team will also focus on developing the younger athletes who are stepping into high school volleyball for the first time. With several eighth graders joining the high school team, the season will provide an opportunity for those players to gain experience while also building the foundation for the future of Central volleyball.
For the Warriors, success this season will be measured by more than the scoreboard. Success will mean seeing the team improve from the beginning of the season to the end, becoming more confident and consistent and learning how to compete together. We want to get better every day and become the best team we can be by the end of the season. If we can look back at the end of the year and know that we improved, competed hard, supported one another and took advantage of every opportunity we were given, then I will consider that a successful season.
With a combination of experienced leaders, young athletes eager to contribute and a group that has put in significant work during the offseason, the Warriors are ready to embrace the challenges that come with a young roster.
