Addy Doerr reaches for a ball against Carson last fall. The senior is expected to play a large role with the Tiger volleyball team this fall.
Photo by Ron Harpin.
Douglas High volleyball picked up its first postseason win in four years last season. This year, the expectations remain the same, especially with added depth to the roster.
Of course, the Tigers will be without a handful of seniors from a year ago, but that hasn’t changed the outlook of coach Suzi Townsell.
Currently, Douglas is 4-4 through its first six matches of the year, which started in a tournament in Las Vegas and continued through the Tigers first league matchup of the season against Reno.
“They’re all athletic. We have a lot of enthusiasm, which is wonderful,” said Townsell. “Overall, excited just because they’re some really good competitiveness in them.”
Returning to the lineup
The varsity lineup construction will be a little bit smaller this fall with 13 players compared to 17-plus from a season ago.
All four all-region players that Douglas boasted last season have graduated, but there’s still key pieces returning to the lineup.
Seniors Sofia Kolbe and Addy Doerr will see plenty of action this fall.
Kolbe, who suffered a shoulder injury in the middle of last season, will have a bit of a new role this year, switching to setter for the Tigers.
“I’ll probably be playing Sofia more as a pin and doubling in as a setter when I need her,” said Townsell. “I have a junior and a sophomore setter and I want to make sure they get lots of reps too.”
Sophia Vido and Megan Kelly, who both were JV setters last year, are up on the varsity roster this fall.
Reps at setter will be a priority for all three and Townsell hinted at potentially playing either a 5-1 or a 6-2, depending on how things look between the Tiger setters.
Doerr, who had 106 kills a season ago, will be a staple in the middle of the rotation.
Joining Doerr in the middle will be fellow senior Chana Rothschild, who had 26 aces and 25 blocks last season.
“Our middles are very strong,” said Townsell. “Chana had a really good club season. Addy is athletic, wants to make plays and is very competitive.”
Junior Alexandra Lentschig and sophomore Aspen Been are also expected to see some time as a middle this season.
On the outside, Suzy Berger returns from a freshman campaign where she had 101 kills and 65 digs.
Senior Emerson Dufloth will be a force on the right side accompanied by Shasta Garr and Leann Lemalu, who will also see reps at outside hitter.
Sumer Williams comes back from playing varsity as a freshman last year where she will be an important role defensively, posting 137 digs last fall.
Makaila Youmans comes back for her senior season after posting 73 digs in 2021.
(Emerson Dufloth goes up for a kill against Reed last fall during a match at Douglas High School. / Ron Harpin)
Expectations
Reno and Bishop Manogue are the top dogs in the North this fall – at least until they’re not.
While both are under new coaching staffs, Townsell is hopeful the Tigers can prove they’re capable of playing with both squads.
Galena also will be tough competition.
“It’s going to be interesting. I truly believe we will be up at the top, one way or the other,” said Townsell.
Varsity roster
Suzy Berger, So.; Sofia Kolbe, Sr.; Emerson Dufloth, Sr.; Addy Doerr, Sr.; Leann Lemalu, So.; Shasta Garr, Jr.; Chana Rothschild, Sr.; Alexandra Lentschig, Jr.; Sumer Williams, So.; Makaila Youmans, Sr.; Sophia Vido, So.; Aspen Been, So.; Megan Kelly, Jr.
