Seniors lead Wichita Northwest volleyball team coached by former Shocker to success
A group of five seniors have helped the Northwest volleyball team remain a City League power and the top Class 6A team in Wichita.
After the breakout success of the Grizzlies in the first year of former Wichita State All-American setter Emily Hiebert, in which the team entered state with a 37-1 record, Northwest is off to another strong start in 2022 with a 22-3 record following a City League triangular sweep of West and East on Tuesday.
Hiebert has been impressed by the growth of senior Brailee Bogle, who runs the offense for Northwest as the team’s sole setter. After splitting time in the role the last two seasons, Bogle is averaging 8.0 assists per set to go along with 78 kills, 52 aces, 23 blocks and 129 digs.
“Her volleyball IQ is so high and that’s always important with a setter,” Hiebert said. “She does a good job of looking at the other side of the net and seeing how the blockers are and what the defense is doing. She’s being more aggressive this year and she’s just doing a great job for us.”
Another star senior has been senior libero Payton Benoit, who leads the team with 3.4 digs per set.
“She’s just a freak athlete and such a competitor,” Hiebert said. “She’ll do anything for her team to help them win. I just throw her at middle back and she’s so good at reading what the other team is doing because her IQ is so high. She’s made a lot of crazy plays for us this year.”
Senior Grace Dickerson has been the glue to the team, according to Hiebert. The outside hitter leads Northwest with 2.8 kills per set while hitting a tidy .258 to go along with 2.5 digs per set.
“Grace is one of those girls who does all of the work behind the scenes,” Hiebert said. “She does so many different things for us that save us. She’s amazing in the back row. She can serve-receiver and help with her defense. And in the front row you wouldn’t expect her to be that powerful, but she always finds a way to get us a kill.”
Northwest has once again thrived this season with a balanced, high-octane offense with a variety of different weapons for Bogle to set to.
Seniors Alexandra Workman and Daetyn Bogle, who combine for 3.7 kills per set, have been reliable options this season.
“Alex brings so much energy to our team, which is awesome,” Hiebert said. “She honestly might be our most powerful hitter. She just always has a great attitude and she’s been a big part of our success this year.
“Daetyn is such a good leader for us. She keeps everybody together and I can throw her wherever I need her on the court, whether it’s on the outside, in the middle, on the right side. She’s a great blocker and she can do anything for us.”
Junior middle Nina Mitchell (team-best .353 hitting percentage, 0.8 blocks per set) has emerged as a force, while freshman Brooklyn Benoit has also proven to be a valuable player off the bench.
Northwest has a critical City League triangular to end the regular season next Tuesday at Bishop Carroll, the only league opponent to knock off Northwest this season. The outcome will likely decide the City League champion.
.jpg)