Lady Vikes show growth, grit throughout 2026 volleyball season
AVOCA - The AHSTW Lady Vikes volleyball team showed plenty of growth, determination and resilience throughout the 2026 season, finishing the year with several hard-fought performances against a challenging schedule.
AHSTW opened its season at its home tournament on Aug. 29, earning a victory over Atlantic while facing Earlham, MVAOCOU, Riverside and East Mills.
The Lady Vikes continued to gain experience throughout the early portion of the season, picking up four victories at the Griswold Tournament on Sept. 12.
AHSTW defeated Southwest Valley, Denison-Schleswig, Diagonal and ACGC while finishing the tournament with a 4-2 record.
The Lady Vikes also found success at the Southwest Valley Tournament on Sept. 26, advancing to the championship match.
AHSTW defeated CAM, Lenox and Southwest Valley before falling to Harlan Community in the championship. The Lady Vikes also faced HCHS earlier in pool play, finishing the tournament with a 3-2 record.
One of the team’s most memorable performances came during the Western Iowa Conference Tournament. AHSTW opened tournament play with a five-set victory over Shenandoah, winning 25-11, 16-25, 25-20, 20-25 and 15-12. The victory was especially meaningful after the Lady Vikes had previously suffered a five-set loss to the Fillies just a few weeks prior during the regular season.
AHSTW also picked up a three-set victory over MVAOCOU in the opening round of the Class 2A Region 2 postseason on Oct. 19, winning 20-25, 25-21, 25-16 and 25-21.
The season came to an end in the regional quarterfinals with a loss to Tri-Center on Oct. 21.
In her first season leading the Lady Vikes, head coach Josie Jacobsen said the improvement from the team’s first open gym in June to its final match in October was something she was especially proud of.
“From our first open gym in June, to our last game in October, they improved so much in so many ways,” Jacobsen said.
“I feel so much pride being their coach and am so grateful for the opportunity. They have a lot of grit and fight in them. They are a very hardworking group of girls, who are very fun to coach!”
Jacobsen said the team’s chemistry was a strength from the beginning, with the biggest strides coming in its mental approach to the game.
“These girls have always been extremely close and care a lot about each other on and off the court, so I knew from the beginning that they were going to be strong together,” Jacobsen said.
“The biggest growth I saw through this season was their ability to stay mentally strong through the highs and the lows of a game.”
Jacobsen emphasized the importance of remaining composed throughout matches, particularly in a sport where momentum can quickly change.
“We have talked so much this season about how quickly momentum can change in the game of volleyball and how important it is to remain calm and composed no matter which way the point goes,” Jacobsen said.
“Overall, they progressed in so many ways individually and as a team, and I am so incredibly proud of them.”
Despite facing a difficult schedule filled with conference opponents and challenging tournament competition, Jacobsen said there were numerous moments that demonstrated what the group was capable of accomplishing.
Looking ahead, the Lady Vikes will have several positions to fill following the departure of a large senior class. AHSTW will graduate seven seniors in Bella Lamp, Maeleigh Rold, Brooke Lee, Madison Holst, Addison Carroll, Kendra Hansen, and Macey Goshorn.
However, Jacobsen believes the foundation established by this year’s group will help guide the program moving forward.
“It’s hard to look ahead without highlighting the impact that these seniors have left on this program,” Jacobsen said.
“These girls bought into everything we were trying to do for them this season, and they really have helped us set the tone for our program.”
With several returning players bringing varsity experience back next season, Jacobsen is optimistic about the program’s future.
“We are saying goodbye to a large senior class, which means we have quite a few spots to be earned, but we also have quite a few players that will be returning with varsity experience and will be ready to step into those leadership roles,” Jacobsen said.
“They are dedicated and ready to put in the work during the offseason, so it will be exciting to see what next season brings.”
The Lady Vikes finished the 2026 campaign with an 11-25 overall record, a three-win improvement from last season’s 8-27 mark.
With returning varsity experience, a strong team foundation and a group ready to put in the work during the offseason, the future looks bright for AHSTW Lady Vikes volleyball in 2027 and beyond.
