The graduation of multiple impactful seniors made the Adel-Desoto-Minburn Tigers varsity volleyball team change their offensive gameplan in 2018. Last season, junior Delaney Bertman was one of three Raccoon River Conference players with more than 550 assists. College freshman Sami Schepers and Amy Gottschalk provided 65 percent of ADM’s offense last fall, and their absence led to head coach Mary Beth Scott changing their formation from a 6-1 to a 5-2. The switch saw Bertman’s role expand from just a facilitator to an all-around performer. She ranks second on the squad with 78 kills and 134 assists. The Raccoon Valley Radio Network spoke with Coach Scott about Bertman’s expanded offensive role Tuesday night, and she said her production is needed this fall. “Every year is a different year so just because you play one position, doesn’t mean that we aren’t going to change that position for you,” Scott said, “Obviously, losing some of the seniors we did last year we needed Delaney (Bertman) to hit. That’s the adjustment we made, and Morgan Meyer did a lot of work on getting her sets outside. In the past, (Meyer) struggled with setting that high ball outside. She’s done a much better job (this fall).”

Meyer currently leads ADM in total assists with 141. Having both Bertman and Meyer setting has led to more kill distribution this fall. Junior Josi Lonneman leads ADM with 154 kills. Senior Jordyn Crow adds 62 kills, senior Briann Powers posts 45 kills, and sophomore AJ Smith has 19 kills. The ADM Tiger varsity volleyball team continues Raccoon River Conference matchplay tonight hosting the Carlisle Wildcats. The varsity teams take the floor around 7 p.m. tonight in Adel.