SOUTH WAYNE — After a year away from coaching the Warriors, longtime coach Rachel Wolff returns this fall. Wolff, with more than 300 wins in her career at Black Hawk, came back from coaching retirement because of a program in need.
Her replacement coached just one season before leaving, and the next hire later decided she wanted more experience before taking over as head coach full time. Re-enter Wolff, who watched the Warriors from the stands last fall after 25 years at the helm.
“I am super excited. I knew I missed it, but didn’t know the extent until now,” she said.
In her last year in charge the Warriors made it one win from state, which would have been the first in program history. Last year Black Hawk finished 4-8 in the Six Rivers East — fifth out of seven teams. A pair of all-conference players graduated, too.
“I think the challenge of this team is getting on the same page and making up some ground after some coaching changes, but so far they have shown great attitudes and are working towards our common team goals,” Wolff said. “An area of improvement from what I see so far is just to refine their existing skills and to work on consistency at all aspects of the game.”
Leading the charge on the court this fall will be seniors Tara Wellnitz and Raylin Peterson, which picked up second-team and honorable mention all-conference themselves at the net. Also back this year are seniors Ellie Edler, Jenna Meier, Kaylee Brooker and Mallorie Peterson. Edler will slide into the setter roll, with Brooker a defensive specialist and Meier and Peterson hitters on the outside.
Juniors Veronica Cheatham, Makayla Kammes, Peyton Downing, Kaylee Hagen and Allyse Troemel all enter the fold, and there are a handful of underclassmen that could work their way into the rotation as well.
“I feel that if the girls can stay focused on their goals and they work together, we will be very competitive in conference this year,” Wolff said. “I think the entire conference should be tough, but I think Monticello will be at the top because they were conference champs last year, plus their experience and athleticism.”
