Kamryn Lande on a hot streak as Roland-Story advances in 2A regional volleyball
Kamryn Lande is finally getting settled in as a six-rotation outside hitter for Roland-Story.
It couldn't have come at a better time.
Lande has been on a tear over the past two weeks as she's helped the Norse surpass 20 wins for the sixth year in a row. She turned it up another notch Monday during the Class 2A regional quarterfinals against South Tama.
“She’s had a lot of really big games lately,” Roland-Story head coach Molly Geise said. “It’s a lot of pressure to be the person that’s our go-to. She’s stepping up and it’s the right time of year to do it.”
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Lande entered her sophomore year firmly settled in at middle hitter. That was her natural position thanks to her length and leaping ability.
But Roland-Story was needing to find a way to replace the production of all-state setter and current Drake Bulldog Madison Geise along with current Bradley women's basketball player Reagan Barkema, who was a dominant force in the middle for last year's Heart of Iowa Conference championship team.
Lande, who also excels at basketball, track and softball, is such a multi-talented athlete that coach Geise decided to try her as a six-rotation player at outside hitter. It didn't stick at first, but during the second half of the season things began to click.
“Last year I was a freshman,” Lande said. “This year I’ve had to step up more.”
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During the month of October Lande had totaled 93 kills and 56 digs over 10 matches and 21 sets entering Monday's regional match against South Tama. She went for 17 kills to help Roland-Story top the Trojans in four sets to advance to Wednesday's 3A semifinals at Vinton-Shellsburg.
"She had so many different tools she used tonight,” Molly Geise said. “She’s seeing the block now and she’s seeing the other side of the court, which is making a huge difference.”
Against South Tama Lande came up with six kills and two aces in the first set to help Roland-Story pull off a 25-16 victory. After a 25-23 loss in the second set Lande went for three kills and a block to help the Norse prevail by a 25-18 score.
She chimed in with three more kills and a block in the decisive fourth set, a 25-23 Roland-Story triumph.
“I’m so thankful she’s on this team,” Roland-Story setter Ali Charlson said. “I’m not the best setter, but she always gets my sets so I’m thankful for that.”
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Lande has enjoyed her expanded role on the team this year.
“I like playing all the way around,” Lande said. “I’ve gotten better at passing.”
Lande's brilliance is a big reason why Roland-Story is taking a 22-12 record into Wednesday's semifinal match against a Vinton-Shellsburg team ranked 15th in 3A.
With other players like Charlson, who was a back-row specialist prior to this season, right-side hitter Madelyn Risdal, outside hitter Grace Dowling, libero Jaclyn Gessner and middle hitters Reagan Faber and Alynn Solberg also starting to get comfortable and embracing their roles Coach Geise likes where the Norsemen are at heading into the semifinals.
“Nobody is going to feel sorry for us because we lost people,” Molly Geise said. “They’re all trying to do their part and I feel we’re a little bit more balanced. I think we’re finding our groove and finally figuring out who we are.”
If Lande can keep up her hot play the Norse have the chance to turn some heads against Vinton-Shellsburg and potentially beyond.
“I think we have a good chance,” Lande said. "I feel like we have good team chemistry. If we play like we did this game (against South Tama) we’re good.”
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Kamryn Lande shines as Roland-Story advances in 2A regional volleyball
