The Two Rivers High School volleyball team is entering the 2026 season with high expectations, a strong group of returning seniors, and a focus on building team chemistry.
After finishing near the bottom of the conference last season, the Raiders are looking to make a jump this year.
Junior Isabel Bateman told SeehaferNews.com that they have a lofty goal this year.
“I really want to finish top three in conference,” Bateman said with confidence. “Last year we ended at the bottom, but I have good hopes for this year.”
Head coach Jeremy Otte shares that goal.
The Raiders are also hoping to have two or three players earn first- or second-team all-conference honors.
In addition, Otte hopes the team can finish first or second at both the Reedsville Tournament and its own tournament.
“Our biggest challenge is going to be playing against our version of ourselves last year,” Otte said. “I think it’s going to be hard for us early to get over that mentality.”
The team has spent the offseason preparing both physically and mentally. Players participated in summer league, worked out in the weight room, and continued getting extra repetitions on their skills.
Bateman said the team also worked on improving its verticals and overall skills. Senior Alexia Bielinski said she has been getting extra reps outside of practice and wants to improve her serve receive.
For many of the players, mental preparation will be just as important as physical preparation.
Communication and teamwork are also major areas of focus for the Raiders. Several players said improving communication on the court and building stronger relationships off the court will be important to the team’s success.
“We definitely need more communication, so talking, calling the ball and just letting everybody know on the court,” Brull said.
Senior Destiny Parker agreed, but added another important thing to keep in mind is , “supporting each other through ups and downs in our season.”
With players from different grade levels, building team chemistry will be an important part of the season.
Bateman said bonding could be one of the team’s biggest challenges, while Quinn McGinty said the players have already started discussing ways to spend more time together as a team.
The Raiders will also rely heavily on their four seniors. Otte said Parker, Bielinski, McGinty and Brull will all see significant court time and will be expected to provide consistency and leadership for a younger group.
The seniors are also focused on helping the younger players develop.
Bielinski said she plans to be supportive and vocal, while Brull wants younger players to understand that mistakes are part of the game.
For Otte, the impact the players leave on the program is just as important as their record.
“I want girls to walk away not necessarily focused on how many times they won, but focused on how much they grew and how much they help our program grow,” Otte said.
The Raiders are hoping their work in the offseason translates into success during the regular season.
Otte said a home playoff game would be a major sign that the team had a successful season, along with finishing in the top half of the conference.
With a goal of reaching the top three, strong senior leadership and a renewed focus on communication and mental toughness, Two Rivers volleyball is looking to turn last year’s close losses into wins and take another step forward as a program.
The Raiders will hit the court tonight as they travel to Sheboygan South for a matchup with the Redwings.
