Inside the St. Clair gymnasium on August 18, the sound of squeaking sneakers, sharp whistle blows, and leather pounding against hardwood signaled a new beginning. With approximately 52 players across grades 9 through 12 competing for a roster spot, participation in Cyclone volleyball is at an all-time high—and varsity spots are at an absolute premium.
The Cyclones are coming off a landmark 2025 campaign. St. Clair posted a 20-5 overall record (8-2 in conference play), captured a share of the South Central Conference title, secured a top seed in Section play, and advanced all the way to the section semifinals. By nearly every metric, it was the most successful season in recent program history.
However, in competitive high school volleyball, true success is defined by a program’s ability to sustain and duplicate high achievement. “Last year set a really high standard for us,” Head Coach Ashley Sander noted during practice. “Playing at the top of the conference and section, winning two section games—we are thrilled, but we don’t want to rest on those laurels. We want to use it as a building block to get better, reach that spot again, and go even higher.”
Filling the Void Through Leadership
To reach those elevated heights, the Cyclones must navigate significant roster turnover. St. Clair graduated several foundational seniors from last year’s squad, including All-Conference setter Brooklyn Meng, middle hitter Paige St. Peter, libero Aubree Mathiowetz, and key contributor Brooklin Hinze.
Stepping directly into the leadership void are returning heavy-hitters Payton Blount and Haddie Jobe. Both outside strikers have embraced their roles as the vocal leaders on the floor, effectively relaying coaching directives and keeping team energy elevated.
“This team is a family,” Sander emphasized. “They stick together and support each other very well.”
Alongside veteran middle hitter Ashlyn DeMartini, the returning core is surrounding itself with eager new talent. Setters Charlotte Dauk and Hannah Brekke have spent the offseason working tirelessly to build timing and rhythm with the primary attackers. Versatile middle/right-side hitter Madison Winkler and tall, athletic net defender Stella Brekke—who turned heads in summer league play—are poised to make immediate impacts at the net.
Fundamentals, Footwork, and Firepower
During the August 18 practice, the eagerness among the newcomer core was palpable. To channel that enthusiasm into precise execution, coaches Ashley and Tyler Sander—now entering their sixth year leading the program—started practice by stripping the game down to its absolute core: footwork.
For St. Clair, footwork isn’t just a warm-up drill—it is the equalizer against taller opponents. “If you struggle with footwork, you’ll struggle with hitting,” Sander reminded the team during a break in drills. “And if you struggle with hitting, the chances you’ll be in the front row are slim.”
The early practice segments focused heavily on blocking technique and explosive approach jumps. Sander frequently paused drills to fine-tune mechanics: keeping hips low, driving off a strong plant foot, pointing toes, swinging hands back to convert forward momentum into a vertical leap, and finishing with a decisive block or spike.
Assistant coach Sarah Dauk echoed the sentiment to the squad, reminding players that repetitive drill work refines technique for high-stress match moments. “Even if the hit is offline, mastering the footwork serves as the foundation for everything,” she noted.
That foundational work paid off visibly when practice shifted to station attacks. Jobe, H. Brekke, and “Bazooka” Blount unleashed relentless power, alongside strong reps from S. Brekke, Winkler, Cheyenne Oachs, and Leah Bowe. In fact, one strike hit the floor with such sheer force that the volleyball momentarily deflated—a visible sign of the Cyclones’ offensive potential and an ominous warning for opposing backlines.
Ramping Up for the Conference Race
As practice transitioned from mechanical drills to game-simulation scenarios with setters distributing the ball, the coaching staff continued gauging skill levels and conditioning. As opening night approaches, practice intensity will continue to ramp up to prepare the squad for the physical demands of varsity play.
The road ahead will test St. Clair’s mettle. The Cyclones expect fierce battles in the South Central Conference against contenders like Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial (LCWM) and Le Sueur-Henderson (LSH). In Section 2AA competition, traditional powers Southwest Christian and Belle Plaine remain formidable hurdles.
Yet, despite replacing key varsity roles, the Cyclones possess the passing stability, firepower, and internal cohesion to remain a force at the top of the standings.
