Now that they know how to win, the Royals expect to win -- the MonDak

Article by Chris Harris, Devils Lake Journal Sports, August 19, 2019

This time last year, Lake Region head volleyball coach Brigitte Greywater was enthusiastic about what her Lady Royals would be able to achieve on the court. Her prognostication came to fruition as the Royals finished third in the MonDak standings, the highest finish in program history.

"They accomplished building a winning environment and an expectation of being good and we have not had that consistently here with our volleyball program," said Greywater, whose team finished 25-13 in 2018. "As much as last year we were very talented, we had a lot of freshman on the court."

What that means is that those freshmen turn into sophomores and a year older, means a whole new level of expectations that Greywater sees in her team a week into preseason practice. 

"This year I see a little more early wisdom and we're training mentally earlier. I think the winning mentality is here, I think it's here to stay and I think that's what last year brought," Greywater said.

Returning for the Royals is All-MonDak setter Rachel Hill. The sophomore from Langdon Area Edmore Munich finished her freshman season 19th in the country in assists with 1,139 and 31st in assists per set with 8.44. In the middle returns Jexley Porrata (164 kills, 83 total blocks), Sydney Herlein (109 kills), and serving specialist Jakenda Short of Midkota (21 aces).

Freshmen Canadians Jadaeya Morrell and Mardi Scutchings along with Sydney Faller (Watford City) will be looked upon for added punch for the Royals.

When asked if her squad can contend for the MonDak Championship, Greywater answered yes immediately. "We can contend if there is a team effort of dedication and commitment to doing it a certain way.

"Right now as much as they're beaten and bruised, they're doing it my way and they're giving me all they got."

The Royals open their season this weekend with a slate of matches at Bismarck State College.