Farmington volleyball doesn't want to settle for a good season. They are seeking greatness as they boast a team with plenty of experience including a Division I setter and some height in the younger levels.
               
"We learned a ton," observes coach Mike Woody about their 11-17 campaign in 2022. "We figured out how to compete when we finally got healthy at the end of the year. First time in years we finished in the top half of the conference, tying for fourth, which was huge with a few big wins. And to push Lakeville South to the brink [in a five-set match] in sections was just phenomenal."
               
And this year, "We want to not just play well in that section match. We want to move on. We want to be in the semis with a chance to go to the finals."
               
The team holds on to great memories says senior outside hitter Becca Woody, "Last year was really fun. We had a really young team. So, it was a lot of getting used to the varsity level and the speed of the game. But we got the hang of it, and it just became so much fun, and we had a lot of success."

"I think this year we're going to be even better because everyone is already comfortable with that. Having those younger players, everyone's pretty used to the varsity field. And I think we're going to have even more success this year."
Woody looks forward to the start of the season to see her friends and "let go of everything else and just enjoy." She hopes to play volleyball in college while pursuing a career as a band director.
               
FHS lost Julia Gordon and Natalie Rutz to graduation. Gordon is playing at Montana State University-Billings after amassing 477 kills during the prep career. She was All-Conference as a senior after an honorable mention nod as a junior.
               
Also heading west to play in college ultimately is senior Maddy Dombeck, who's committed to North Dakota State University. She's entering her fourth year as a starter, "It's been great. It's just kind of learning the game even more. The passion and the love for it, I think, for me grows each and every day. And getting to be in the gym with these girls and getting to see their experience blend with mine has been really cool to see."
               
Bringing back so many players should pay dividends, "When we're having fun and we have that attitude and that energy that's really high, I think we can be really successful. We've been working on a lot of different things like different shots, different hitters and maybe running a few different plays this year."
               
While the team isn't blessed with height, Dombeck says they have other attributes, "I would say grittiness. I would say just being scrappy, keeping the ball off the floor. And overall communication. Being good with one another, encouraging one another. Getting that team chemistry will help us a lot this year."

Run the Offense               

Coach Woody stresses the biggest factor in dealing with the ultra-challenging schedule, "We need to be in-system, giving Maddy Dombeck a chance to run the offense, to keep the defense on their toes. If we are in-system, we can play with anybody. Size doesn't matter. When we're out of system that's where the size hurts you. When you just got to throw balls high and compete with your size."
               
Defensive specialist Roselyn Bot, a senior, loves getting back into the gym, "I'm always looking forward to seeing people that I know in the gym, having fun with them. And getting to know the new people that are coming in…I think some of the keys to the season would be attitude and energy. You can always fix those. Those are what you can control."
               
Dealing with errors is crucial, "You have to shake it off because mistakes do happen. It's bound to happen. Volleyball is a game of mistakes. Who makes the less amount of mistakes. So, you really just got to shake it off. And if it is one of your teammates, just tell them, 'Hey. You got the next one.'"
               
Bot is in the MNCAPS program and excited to be working toward her CNA.
               
Sophomore Elexis West returns as libero, which was a natural position for her when she began her career, "I was one of the shortest ones out there. So, I feel like it kind of just played into that a little bit. But then I really loved it and I just wanted to keep doing that."
               
Communication is a big part of her game, "When they are doing plays, making sure to help them and calling shots and what's open and helping my team and bringing that extra energy."
               
Coach Woody says staying healthy is a factor for the team. Hitter Addison Otto went down with an injury early last season. He emphasizes good warm-ups and consistent weight room work to keep everyone on the court.
West, and many others, are active in the JAQS weight program, "I think it's really important, just to build up that strength and also work on your vertical. You can do a lot of stuff there to build muscle."

She recalls her debut as an eighth grader, "I just remember being really nervous, but having a good attitude on it, [thinking] 'I can do this.' At that time we had ten seniors. It was kind of nerve wracking. But I think I did really good."

Conference Grind

Listing conference favorites is a matter of naming nearly the entire league. He sees the Lakeville's, Shakopee, Eagan, and Prior Lake as contenders. Burnsville (No. 7 in preseason mnvbca.com poll) has one of the top players in the state, a "beast" of an outside hitter, "She can win matches herself." The Panthers (No. 3) were state runners-up last year and Burnsville also played at Xcel Energy Center. The Wildcats, North, and South shared the South Suburban crown. The Tigers tied with the Blaze and Lakers just behind them.
               
The season opens on Thursday, August 24 against Northfield at FHS. The Tigers go to Rochester Mayo on Saturday, August 26 for a 1:15 pm match and welcomes Rochester Century to town on Tuesday, August 29. Their first SSC match is versus No. 6 Eagan on Thursday, September 7 at FHS. Farmington hosts its annual tournament on Saturday, September 16.

From Tiger to Bison

Dombeck appreciates playing at Tiger gym, "I love our gym to be honest. We have one of the best courts. So, I love playing at home. I think the fans are great and having that energy and support each and every night is great."

She trades orange and black for yellow and green with the Bison next fall. She started talking to NDSU between her sophomore and junior years, "I went and visited there last year and really loved the school and they offered for me to come play volleyball there so I'm really excited."

"It's definitely going to be tough. I think just continuing to work on my game and keep improving my game in every way that I can." Her sister Danielle played at NDSU, and her mother was a Gopher player.

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