The No. 2 in Class 4A Pella volleyball team has been riding high as of late, winning seven in a row, largely pushed ahead by two of the state’s best outside hitters.

Emily Holterhaus, 4A’s kill leader, and Natalie Clayberg, who is 24th on the same list, have led an at-times dominating two-headed attack that’s frustrated defenses. But Head Coach Catie Brand says a key cog in their success has been a player she calls one of the most selfless players she’s had in the program — setter Kara Wichhart.

“I think Kara is one of those players that embraces her role, but never settles, because she understands how important that setter position is, but she also knows that she’s got to get better at it all season long, and she’s doing that,” Brand says.

Wichhart is third in Class 4A in assists per set (8.89) and 4th in total assists (471), and Brand says she plays the pivotal role of feeding Holterhaus and Clayberg and keeping the high-octane Lady Dutch offense in rhythm.

Pella returns to Little Hawkeye Conference action tonight when they travel to Newton, while Pella Christian’s girls hit the road to Grinnell.

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