Lady Bulldogs Pumped for 2020 Volleyball Season

The Lady Bulldogs are preparing for their 2020 volleyball season and the 20th season with Nancy Hoeke as their head coach.  Hoeke is assisted by Kelli Hoff, who begins her fourth year as a coach for Milbank and Nicole Berg who is starting season two. 

Seniors —Madi Thue, Jessica Van Peursem, Siri Bien, and Shelby Lee —are expected to be role models. “The seniors will need to be good leaders by bringing positivity to the team, in practice especially,” stated Hoeke. “They have been good about bringing energy and enthusiasm.” Hallie Schulte and Averie Engebretson join Thue and Bien as returning letter winners.

Hoeke set a .500 goal for the Lady Bulldogs this season. Because of the COVID-19 virus, teams will not participate in any tournaments until the postseason. In lieu of Milbank’s home tournament, the Lady Bulldogs will host Miller and Beresford for a triangular. Milbank also picked up a match with Arlington and Castlewood.

“Because of the COVID-19 virus, teams will not be switching sides this year. That will be the most noticeable change,” said Hoeke. “The attendance policy is obviously disappointing for fans and the student body; however, we will do what we need to for our season to continue as long as possible.”

Milbank starts the season with two road games. The Lady Bulldogs travel to Webster on Thursday, August 27, for their opening match against the Bearcats. Milbank then visits Clear Lake on Tuesday, September 1, to take on the Deuel Cardinals. 

The Lady Bulldogs first home match is Thursday, September 3. They host Sisseton at the Milbank Armory.