Season Preview: 4A Volleyball

The bell on the wooden stand at Andale High School stayed silent for the duration of preseason volleyball practices, just the way junior McKenzie Fairchild and her teammates wanted it.

In the rigorous Navy SEAL training program, the ringing bell marks the breaking point for exhausted candidates, effectively ending their bid. Indians coach Kaylie Bergkamp, a proponent of a new theme for each season, drew that parallel for her team during offseason training and conditioning.

"All the themes that she's had over the years have been really good," said Fairchild, a Kansas Volleyball Association All-Class 4A middle blocker last season. "This one, to never, ever ring the bell, takes it to another level for me. You can't get down and you have to keep pushing no matter how tough it gets."

Andale has been one of the state's most successful programs during Bergkamp's three seasons, posting a 110-16 record. But the Indians' quest for their first state title continues after second-place finishes to Topeka Hayden in 2019 and Bishop Miege last October.

"We've had terrific teams," said Bergkamp, the daughter of Garden Plain volleyball coach Gina Clark. "It's hard to pinpoint that one thing that's been lacking. The other teams have been just a little bit better and we needed some things to fall our way."

Andale, 37-4 last season, is well positioned for another run at the 4A title despite the loss of all-state outside hitter Katelyn Fairchild, McKenzie's older sister. The Texas A&M track and field freshman finished her high school volleyball career with more than 1,000 kills. To fill the offensive void, Bergkamp will shift the 5-foot-11 McKenzie Fairchild to outside hitter.

"I love hitting the ball so any chance I can get to put it away is great," Fairchild said. "I love that they're putting me out there because it makes me feel trusted."

Fairchild is one of five Andale players with a wealth of starting experience. The Indians' returnees include senior setter Annabeth Baalmann and junior outside hitter Maddie Schrandt, both second-team all-state selections last season.

"Annabeth has just gotten better each and every year," Bergkamp said. "She has that winning mentality and does a lot of stuff behind the scenes that she doesn't get credit for.

"Maddie is kind of overlooked. She's not going to be flashy and murder the ball. She's going to hit different shots. She has a lot of court awareness and is the best passer in our gym."

Seniors Grace Gorges and Jaley Eck add experience to a roster Bergkamp easily embraces. "I have a very, very competitive group. They come into my classroom every day talking about volleyball and what they can do to improve. This team as far as leadership has been super impressive."

Bergkamp's theme entering last season focused on scaling Mount Everest and the final steps above 29,000-foot elevation. The Indians cleared every obstacle at 4A state except Miege and its talented squad led by Payton Verhulst and Ella Martin.

This year's theme, which emphasizes the refusal to give in, could be Andale's final step toward a title.

"Our goal every year is to get to state and to win it," Fairchild said. "The past few years we've worked really hard and we did everything we could to get there. What it came down to were the names of the teams we were playing. To win it all, we can't let that happen. We can't let that have an effect."

McPherson, which finished fourth in 4A last season, returns 6-foot senior outside hitter and University of Kansas commit Rhian Swanson along with senior setter Brette Doile. Both earned all-state honors a year ago. Ottawa, which defeated McPherson in the third-place match, returns all-state second-team setter Kirsten Evans.