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Prepare to hear the thud of volleyballs crash landing onto hardwood floors.
Pipestone Area Schools will open the 2025 regular season with a pair of home matches next week.
The Arrows will take on Big South Conference foe Fairmont Tuesday, Aug. 26, followed by Canby Thursday, Aug. 28, at PAS Gymnasium. Matches will start at about 7:15 p.m.
Senior setter Carmen Wiese and senior outside hitters Taryn Tuinstra and Jadyn Kor will provide leadership for a PAS team coming off an 8-19-1 record.

Pipestone Area Schools’ Carmen Wiese sets the ball during a Thursday, Aug. 14, practice as teammates Brynn Schulze, Taryn Tuinstra and Kaysa Douty look on. The Arrows already have participated in two scrimmages. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
“We have experienced senior leaders, and many players who can play multiple positions,” first-year head coach Shelly Hennager noted.
The Arrows’ most significant 2024 victories were over Southwest Minnesota Christian in five sets, Adrian-Ellsworth, Luverne and twice over Murray County Central.
Unfortunately for the Arrows, Luverne gained a measure of revenge by eliminating PAS in five sets during the opening round of the Section 3AA South Subsection Tournament on Oct. 25, 2024.
Tuinstra has club experience with the Sanford Sports program in Sioux Falls, S.D. She powered the Arrows with 249 kills, a .173 hitting efficiency, 122 digs, 25 ace serves and 26 ace blocks.

Pipestone Area Schools’ Taryn Tuinstra prepares to kill the ball during a Thursday, Aug. 14, practice. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Kor had remarkably even numbers, with both 140 kills and 140 digs. She also put up a combined 33 solo and assisted ace blocks.
Tuinstra was named to the all-Big South Conference Western Division team, while Kor was honorably mentioned.

Jadyn Kor bumps the ball during a Thursday, Aug. 14, practice. Kor was an honorable mention all-Big South Conference player in 2024. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
One area of concern Hennager is looking toward fixing is improving serving, which cost the Arrows in several matches in 2024.
Key losses to graduation are outside hitter Mariah Moeller, setter Samantha Radloff and libero Mylee Weber.
Kaysa Douty is expected to be the Arrows’ starting right-side specialist, although she may also play some setter this year. Avery Reinhard, a sophomore, is another option as setter.
Kailyn Burmeister will fill the libero role Weber vacated.

Pipestone Area Schools’ Kailyn Burmeister is expected to fill the libero role vacated by graduate Mylee Weber. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Emersyn Smidt and Brynn Schulze are a pair of dynamic middle hitter/blocker performers.
Two additional Arrows will see varsity time, Hennager reported, in defensive specialist Melanie Campos and right-side specialist Brooke Einck.
The goals are succinct for PAS this season, and a double-digit win season is certainly attainable.
“We would like to improve our overall record,” Hennager explained. “We’re going to build a positive team culture that promotes inclusiveness where everyone feels confident, safe and supported. We want to create positive memories and traditions.”
Hennager will look to build quality depth for future seasons as well.
Morgan Taubert will serve as the varsity assistant coach, a position the PAS school board created in 2024.
Larissa Pemberton will lead the “B” squad and Morgyn Carson “C” squad, PAS activities and community education director Rick Zollner reported.

The National Federation of High Schools. (Contributed graphic)
Significant rule change
Both the National Federation of High Schools and NCAA approved last spring a rule change regarding double hits, specifically on the second contact.
This change allows for more than one contact by a player on the second hit if the ball is then played to a teammate.
This eliminates a possible judgment call on a double hit (second contact), which was problematic during a PAS match at Canby last season.
The goal is to create more consistent officiating and potentially longer, more thrilling rallies.

Pipestone Area Schools’ Jenny Lopez works on her service game during a Thursday, Aug. 21, practice. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
VOLLEYBALL
Pipestone Area Schools
2025 Schedule
Regular Season
August
16, at Jackson County Central, Jackson (six-team scrimmage); 19, PIPESTONE AREA (five-team scrimmage); 26, FAIRMONT; 28, CANBY
September
2, at Luverne; 4, at Adrian-Ellsworth; 9, at Windom Area; 13, at Wabasso Tournament; 16, at Blue Earth Area; 20, at St. James Area Tournament; 22, EDGERTON; 23, ST. JAMES AREA; 25, at Jackson County Central; 30, REDWOOD VALLEY
October
2, SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN; 9, WESTBROOK/WALNUT GROVE; 14, at Heron Lake-Okabena-Fulda, Fulda; 16, MURRAY COUNTY CENTRAL
Playoff Schedule
October
24, Section 3AA South Subsection Tournament; 28, Subsection Semifinals; 30, Subsection Finals
November
1, Section 3A Championship at the R/A Facility, Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall; 5-8, Minnesota State High School League state tournament, Grand Casino Arena, St. Paul
Editor’s Note: All home matches are listed in ALL CAPS, conducted at Pipestone Area Schools gymnasium.