TMB FALL SPORTS PREVIEWS: VOLLEYBALL
If there is one thing not missing from the Panther volleyball team this year, it’s experience.
Only three players from last year’s squad graduated from a team that dealt with numerous injury- and illness-related setbacks, and, when healthy, seemed to have gotten better as the year went on.
After catching their stride late in 2025, there is plenty of optimism flowing for the 2026 season that opens tonight (Aug. 27) in Lamberton against Red Rock Central.
“You think of that saying, ‘steel sharpens steel’ — this is a good year for that, because we’ve got a lot of experience on varsity, which is something that we’ve kind of lacked,” said Panther coach Heather Kamrud-Rice.
One of the eight Panther seniors is Braelynn Kirk, who will move from left side hitter to libero this season. While it might be tough to take her away from the net, Kamrud-Rice said she has the qualities needed for the libero position.
“She does have a strong arm; it’s hard to give that up,” Kamrud-Rice said. “But she’s a really good communicator and she reads the ball. When I watch how she adjusts to a hitter’s line of attack, to where the blockers are setting up, she reads things quick.”
Other seniors include Allie Adams, Melaina Ankrum, Taylor Munson, Kaylie Danielson, Brooke Swenhaugen and Ary Schultz.
“Our seniors have 14 years of varsity experience between them,” Kamrud-Rice said. “You throw in Bella (Martinez), Gretchen (Lanoue), Elsie (Knott) and Alli (Dolan) who have also been starters in the past — they bring in another number of years of experience.”
TMB’s junior class includes players who also saw action last year, including Elsie Knott and Gretchen Lanoue. Sophomores who played big roles a year ago are Alli Dolan and Bella Martinez.
“Those juniors have been playing together for a long time,” said Kamrud-Rice.
The Panthers took Westbrook-Walnut Grove to four sets in the first round of the tournament last year, and despite losing that match, Kamrud-Rice knew the program was on the upswing.
“In my heart, I was like, ‘I’ve seen it there the whole season;’ it just finally started coming out,” Kamrud-Rice recalls. “I think we’re picking up right where we left off.”
Kamrud-Rice said it’s been a very productive summer for the players, as she has seen aspects of their game that needed work last year improve. She said the on-court chemistry and communication has been impressive as well.
“We’re going to push really hard this fall and see what we can squeeze out of these girls,” Kamrud-Rice said.
TMB will play its first home game on Sept. 1 against Windom before traveling to RTR on Sept. 8. Then it’s off to Marshall for the ultracompetitive Southwest Minnesota Challenge, which attracts some of the top volleyball teams in the state from many classes.
Kamrud-Rice sees RTR, Canby and Minneota as three of the potential top teams in the Camden Conference this season.
TMB VOLLEYBALL ROSTER Seniors: Allie Adams, Melaina Ankrum, Kaylie Danielson, Braelynn Kirk, Lauren Knakmuhs, Taylor Munson, Ary Schultz, Brooke Swenhaugen Juniors: Calie Johns, Elsie Knott, Gretchen Lanoue, Nora Rice, Avaya Sagmoe, Ava Swenhaugen, Lauren Torkelson Sophomores: Avery Anderson, Sophia DelAngel, Alli Dolan, Mesa Edwards, Aleya Johnson, Izabella Martinez, Adyson Morgan, Emmarie Ripley, Haily Vang Freshmen: Kirabella Sanders, Allisyn Stoks Eighth-graders: Kylie Bornitz, Evelyn Buyck, Anika Connor, Alexis Dahmes, Hayden Danielson, Gabriella Facio, Brynn Grunden, Skylar Johnson, Harlow Kline, Kerrigan Knapper, Shelby Knott, Caroline Lanoue, Ava Lightfoot, Peyton Luckhardt, Julia Moua, Audrianna Nelson, Isabelle Nyquist, Chelsea Torkelson, Vanida Yang Seventh-graders: Emma Arnold, Amarah Gervais, Olivia Sazama, Emma Swan
