New Hill-Murray volleyball coach Angie Houk is not a fan of the term “rebuilding.”

She especially doesn’t like it when observers try to apply it to her Pioneers. 

“I know a lot of people were expecting us to have a ‘rebuilding’ year, but I’ve been telling them all along, ‘We have great athletes on this team,’ ” Houk said.

Houk’s prediction was put to the test Tuesday night, and the Pioneers passed with flying colors in a 25-21, 25-20, 31-29 home win over Concordia Academy.

The Beacons, who finished last year as the Class 2A state tournament runners-up, entered this season ranked No. 6 in the Class 2A coaches’ poll. 

“I feel like a lot of people thought (Concordia Academy) might win tonight,” Houk said after the game. “It’s really good for our confidence going into the rest of the season (knowing) that we can play a team like that and beat them in three (sets).”

The Pioneers (1-0) took the first two sets without much of a struggle, but they showed a double dose of grit in winning the third after falling behind multiple times.

Junior outside hitter Claire Westby posted a game-high 17 kills and sophomore outside hitter Lauren Hinrichs added 10 for Hill-Murray. 

Despite her underclassman standing, Hinrichs has proven herself to be one of the team’s more vocal players. 

“She’s a sophomore, but she’s a leader on our team on and off the court,” Houk said, adding that Hinrichs’ energy level doesn’t waver in any situation. 

“It’s practice. It’s games. It’s whatever you ask her to do, and she does it.”

Hinrichs has a simple explanation for her oversized enthusiasm. 

“You just want to pick up your teammates,” she said. 

Her secret for accomplishing the goal is she provides a vocal soundtrack during games. 

“(I) cheer everyone on,” Hinrichs said. 

“Get a good kill, cheer loud. Get a good dig, ace, anything,” Hinrichs added. 

Hill-Murray graduated five seniors from last year’s team, including four who had been varsity members for four seasons. 

Houk said the departures were significant but added the rebuilding moniker glosses over the effort the girls have put in during the offseason and the first six team practices this fall. 

“It’s not fair (in terms of) how hard (the girls) work, what they do at practice,” Houk said. 

It also may not be fair to Houk, who takes over after longtime coach Tim Walen stepped down at the end of last season. 

Houk said she has tried to maintain the program's level of tradition, including letting players handle most of the off-court procedures, but she has also implemented her own training concentrations.

“A lot of what I’m teaching them is new,” Houk said, adding that she has maintained a new focus on specific skills this season. 

Junior setter Alina Gartner has already seen a difference.

“She’s got (outside) hitters going up faster and stronger,” said Gartner, who tallied 34 assists on Tuesday. “Also, our (defensive) coverage has improved a lot since last year.” 

It’s all part of Houk’s plan to keep the Pioneers from rebuilding.

“A lot of the (players) have bought into it, and hopefully that pays off,” she said.

With Tuesday’s upset victory, it may have already started to.

Junior outside hitter Claire Westby tallied a game-high 17 kills and sophomore outside hitter Lauren Hinrichs recorded 10 to lead Hill-Murray to a 25-21, 25-20, 31-29 win over Concordia Academy on Tuesday night at Hill-Murray High School. 

The Pioneers, ranked No. 12 in the Class 2A coaches' poll, dispatched the No. 6-2A Beacons after a marathon third set, which saw numerous lead changes before Hill-Murray (1-0) finally escaped with win.

Senior outside hitter Erin Fallert had a team-high 12 kills and sophomore right side hitter Sarah McTaggart added six for Concordia Academy (0-1).

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