Jon Thelen is Pewamo Westphalia’s volleyball coach for the sixth season
“2018 was the best season of my 5 years at Pewamo Westphalia. We won the conference and districts for the first time in my time here. We beat 3 top ten teams during the season and lost a tough match in the first round of regionals. We are returning 9 seniors and with the experience we got from last year, we are poised to have another great season with a deep run.
“Morgan Thelen will be a big loss from last years team. She was 1st team all conference and honorable mention all region. Led the team in blocks and 2nd on the team in kills as well as a 3 year varsity middle while being a great leader. Madi Butler will also be a big loss from last year. All conference honorable mention, led the team in assists and was top of the team for aces. She was a 3 year varsity setter and grew into a fine leader last year.”
The 2019 players and comments from the coach:
Katie Lehman Senior OH – Katie was first team all conference and led the team in kills last year. She has been on varsity since she was a freshman and will be looked to lead the team and continue her growth and performance from last year.
Annabelle Schafer Senior OH – Annabelle was a first team all conference libero last year but will be an outside hitter this year after growing both in height and hitting ability. She has been a 4 year varsity player and I will look for her to embrace her new role.
Jordyn Hanses Senior S – Jordyn has been a 3 year varsity setter and is expected to continue her strong consistent performances from last year and built her defensive toughness.
Taryn Miller Senior L – Taryn is moving from her DS role last year to fill the Libero position for Annabelle. After a strong performance last year as a DS, I am excited to see how she embraces her new role.
“I expect that this team will repeat as League champions thanks to the amount of senior leadership we have. Our district will be tougher than it has ever been in my time here but I still feel we will make a deep run in the state tournament this year,” coach Thelen said.
“We have senior leadership and a complete experienced team/ We are making some offensive scheme changes so we will need to keep growing confidence and execution through the season,” Thelen said.
PW will be in the CMAC.
“The top half of the conference should be tough outs in State tournament play with us, Fowler, and Saranac being the favorites this year. As long as we can execute and play to our potential every match, we should repeat as champions this year with lots of tough matches to do so.”