After a season of ups and downs with plenty of growing pains in 2019, the 2020 Lady Dutch volleyball team is poised to rebound and contend once again in the Little Hawkeye Conference and for a potentially deep postseason run.

While inconsistency and youth prevented Pella from jumping out of the shadow of four straight state tournament appearances before them, this fall, a roster with 12 returning varsity players in all key positions will hope an offseason of improvement will make them a far more dangerous opponent.

Varsity Coach Mallory Peterson says there is key talent across the spectrum coming in for a second varsity season, many of whom will be looking to prove how far they’ve come with offseason training and the learning experiences of a difficult 2019.

Pella will be keyed by the return of two-year varsity setter Anna Vander Waal and outside hitter Bailey Van Voorst, as well as sophomore Jasmine Namminga, who splashed onto the varsity scene halfway through 2019 and became a consistent offensive threat for the Lady Dutch by the postseason. Middle hitters Ella Corbin and Meridith Rowe, as well as outsides Brynn Randol and Courtney Paxton, will also see time again in the main rotation. Senior Macy Schulz and juniors Payton Turner and Emily McMartin will lead the defensive back line. Talented track and field state qualifier Roselande Vanderhoff and All-Conference basketball player Madison Naig rounds out the Lady Dutch varsity group.

Pella opens the season at home on Tuesday, August 25th vs. Ballard.