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Volleyball star to play in Junior Championships
MATT ZIMMER
mzimmer@argusleader.com
Published: 06/23/05
Former Roosevelt high standout Kathleen Hruska will be spending her Fourth of July holiday going for the USA Volleyball Junior National Championships.
Hruska, the 2005 Gatorade South Dakota Player of the Year and a three-time all-state performer, is playing for the Southwest Minnesota Juniors squad. The 18-and-under squad will head to Salt Lake City for the national tournament, whichs runs June 29 to July 6. Last week, they placed ninth among 64 teams at the Asics National Championships in Chicago.
Hruska, who played on the 17-and-under squad last year, is just one of many top regional players on the squad. And even though they're playing in the summer, it's a competitive brand of volleyball.
"It's very serious, but it's a lot of fun," Hruska said. "The girls are a lot of fun. It's been good to get to know them."
to know them."
The girls come from all over Minnesota, and Hruska said it has become apparent to her that high school volleyball is bigger there than in her home state.
Because of her duties as captain of the Rough Riders' state championship basketball team, Hruska couldn't join the team until March, even though they'd been playing since December.
With the girls coming from all over and Hruska getting a late start, there was an adjustment period.
"It took a little while, especially with me starting late," Hruska said. "But after awhile, it seems pretty normal - you get used to playing with each other."
Hruska is the only Sioux Falls player on the squad. Despite being a Minnesota team in name, the roster is assembled from a regional selection process, and South Dakota falls within the team's region.
"She's an outstanding player," said team coach Mary Hanson, who is also the head coach at Willmar (Minn.) High. "We're glad she's part of this team. She's hard to stop."
Hruska will play at South Dakota State next year. Other girls on the team are either shooting for exposure or, like Hruska, have already committed to a college.
"It's a big commitment, but it's a great opportunity," Hanson said. "It's hard for a freshman to break into the lineup. College coaches want you to do something like this before you come."
Hanson said the biggest adjustment Hruska has had to make was getting in sync with her setter, Allison Louwagie of Marshall.
"Anytime you come in cold it takes time, but they've clicked well lately," Hanson said. "Kathleen made some really great plays (in Chicago)."
While finishing ninth out of 64 in Chicago is nothing to be ashamed of, Hruska has bigger hopes for her team at the Junior National Championships.
"It was really fun, but we didn't play as well as we can," she said. "I don't know if we were ready to play. I hope we play better in Salt Lake City, but it'll be a lot of fun either way."
Reach Matt Zimmer at 331-2265
Volleyball star to play in Junior Championships
MATT ZIMMER
mzimmer@argusleader.com
Published: 06/23/05
Former Roosevelt high standout Kathleen Hruska will be spending her Fourth of July holiday going for the USA Volleyball Junior National Championships.
Hruska, the 2005 Gatorade South Dakota Player of the Year and a three-time all-state performer, is playing for the Southwest Minnesota Juniors squad. The 18-and-under squad will head to Salt Lake City for the national tournament, whichs runs June 29 to July 6. Last week, they placed ninth among 64 teams at the Asics National Championships in Chicago.
Hruska, who played on the 17-and-under squad last year, is just one of many top regional players on the squad. And even though they're playing in the summer, it's a competitive brand of volleyball.
"It's very serious, but it's a lot of fun," Hruska said. "The girls are a lot of fun. It's been good to get to know them."
to know them."
The girls come from all over Minnesota, and Hruska said it has become apparent to her that high school volleyball is bigger there than in her home state.
Because of her duties as captain of the Rough Riders' state championship basketball team, Hruska couldn't join the team until March, even though they'd been playing since December.
With the girls coming from all over and Hruska getting a late start, there was an adjustment period.
"It took a little while, especially with me starting late," Hruska said. "But after awhile, it seems pretty normal - you get used to playing with each other."
Hruska is the only Sioux Falls player on the squad. Despite being a Minnesota team in name, the roster is assembled from a regional selection process, and South Dakota falls within the team's region.
"She's an outstanding player," said team coach Mary Hanson, who is also the head coach at Willmar (Minn.) High. "We're glad she's part of this team. She's hard to stop."
Hruska will play at South Dakota State next year. Other girls on the team are either shooting for exposure or, like Hruska, have already committed to a college.
"It's a big commitment, but it's a great opportunity," Hanson said. "It's hard for a freshman to break into the lineup. College coaches want you to do something like this before you come."
Hanson said the biggest adjustment Hruska has had to make was getting in sync with her setter, Allison Louwagie of Marshall.
"Anytime you come in cold it takes time, but they've clicked well lately," Hanson said. "Kathleen made some really great plays (in Chicago)."
While finishing ninth out of 64 in Chicago is nothing to be ashamed of, Hruska has bigger hopes for her team at the Junior National Championships.
"It was really fun, but we didn't play as well as we can," she said. "I don't know if we were ready to play. I hope we play better in Salt Lake City, but it'll be a lot of fun either way."
Reach Matt Zimmer at 331-2265