Milbank Volleyball Team Honored with Awards

The Lady Bulldogs’ volleyball program gathered for a potluck on November 28 to honor the 2022 team and recognize their achievements. 

Junior Rachel Schulte was named the MVP of the 2022 season. She racked up the most kills at 325 and ranked near the top in several other categories. She put up the second- highest number of digs at 353, the second-highest number of aces at 52, and second-highest number of blocks at 21. She also landed a place on the 2022 Northeast All-Conference Team. 

Senior Averie Engebretson, who also made the list of NEC all-conference players, was chosen as the hardest worker on the Milbank team. Her industriousness paid off this season when she amassed 574 assists to lead the team, and notched the 1000th assist of her career. Engebretson ended the year with a serving percentage of 91. She nailed 303 of 332. She also hit the third-highest number of aces at 43 and the third-highest number of digs at 339. 

Engebretson, along with Hallie Schulte, Casside Seezs, and Camryn Wiese, served as  captains of the team. H. Schultemade the most digs this season. She piled up 422.  She also finished the year with a serving percentage of 91 by hitting 250 of 274.  

Seezs hit 113 of 121 serves to earn the second-highest record on the team at 93 percent.  Emily Jo Wollschlager, who took the award for Best Attitude, also had the highest serving record at 95 percent. She hit 186 of 195 attempts.  At 69, Addisyn Krause led the team in aces. She also proved herself on the serving line at 90 percent, when she successfully completed 388 of 431.

Claire Snaza made 38 blocks to top the team in that category. She also had the second- highest number of kills at 150.  Snaza and Isabella Anderson were named the Most Improved players.

Wiese was named the most positive and supportive team member. Jenna Dexter took the award for most inspirational. Laney Forrette and Riley Overby, both seniors, received awards for their dedication, commitment, and perseverance.

Ella Sandvig, a member of the junior varsity team, and Kalli Grong, a member of the C team, each received a Maroon and Gold Award. The award recognizes them for consistently being the hardest workers in practice and rarely missing a practice.

Shelbi Pollock, on the junior varsity team, and Evy Liebe, on the C team, each received a Bulldog Award for demonstrating a love for the game and their fellow teammates. The award acknowledges a player who represents Bulldog volleyball by exhibiting high character on and off the court and respecting teammates, coaches, parents, and officials. 

2022 Major “M” letter awards went to:  Seniors – Engebretson, Forrette, Overby, H. Schulte, Seezs, Dexter, Wiese, and Wollschlager; Juniors – Abby Pillatzki, Shaylee Schuchard, R. Schulte, and Skyler Skoog; Sophomores – Anderson, Krause, and Snaza; and Student Manager Sophia Whitlow. 

2022 Minor “m” awards went to: Juniors – Kaitlyn Huber and Hailey Zinter; Sophomores – Pollock, Sandvig, Rylee Scoular, and Siera Wenzl; Freshmen – Jimena Achiaga, Jacy Dexter, Kayle Figueroa, Grong, Kenzie Kooima, Paige Korstjens, Liebe, Allie Meyer, Addison Morton, Kennadee Mueller, Kendra Roggenbuck, Macey Schafer, Haley Swenson and Elyssa Toma.  Student Managers – Madisyn Brandenburger, Jericho Jones, and Cailey Sime.