Coach Stroud builds strong foundation for future
Blue Knights Volleyball (left to right back row) Nichole Wagner, Lauren LeMay, Alyssa Pekarna, Bailey Anderson, Lisa Huneke, Coach Ben Stroud (left to right front row) Sundra Xaphakdy, Amelia Pho
The DCTC Blue Knights volleyball team finished the regular season 12–14–0. The Knights gelled as a team immediately and played competitively in virtually every match against much more experienced programs. Head Coach Ben Stroud looks forward to the playoffs, knowing his team not only has heart, but will also play with skills that have improved throughout the year.
“I’m proud of our team,” Coach Stroud said. “We played with basically six players all season long. That means no substitutions and no rest during a game. Every one of our women played with guts, determination and stamina. We definitely had games and matches where we pulled it all together and triumphed as a team.”
Outside Hitter Bailey Anderson, a freshman from Eastview High School in Apple Valley, Minn., was a standout on the team. Anderson was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Bismarck State College Tournament Oct. 14–15, 2011.
The Blue Knights travel to Dakota College at Bottineau in Bottineau, N.D., for the NJCAA Region 13 Tournament Oct. 28, 2011. Women’s volleyball competes as an independent at the NJCAA DII level. The team practices and plays home games at the High Performance Academy in Eagan.
DCTC Blue Knights Volleyball
Bailey Anderson
- Freshman | Eastview High School | Hometown: Eagan, Minn. | Outside Hitter
Lisa Hunecke
- Freshman | Lakeville North High School | Hometown: Lakeville, Minn. | Outside Hitter
Alyssa Pekarna
- Freshman | Shakopee Senior High School | Hometown: Shakopee, Minn. | Middle Blocker
Amelia Pho
- Freshman | Menahga High School | Hometown: Menahga, Minn. | Outside Hitter
Nichole Wagner
Freshman | Hastings High School | Hometown: Hastings, Minn. | Outside Hitter
Sundra Xaphakdy
- Freshman | Apple Valley High School | Magnolia, Minn. | Setter
Head Coach Ben Stroud
DCTC vs RCTC gallery | Oct. 17, 2011 @home
[HTML1]For more information about the women’s volleyball program at Dakota County Technical College, please contact:
- Ben Stroud
Head Volleyball Coach
651-423-8544
Congrats on a great innagural season Coach Stroud! I never saw a single match of your new team but I can Guarantee that each of those young ladies had dramatic improvement in their Volleyball skills.
Watch out NJCAA……all this guy does is WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS!!!!!
Keep up the Great Work Coach!