SUMNER, Neb. — The Sumner-Eddyville-Miller volleyball team is preparing to follow a successful state tournament run with one of the youngest rosters in the area.
SEM finished the 2025 season with a 28-7 record, won 70 sets and placed third in the Class D-2 state tournament. The Mustangs defeated Bruning-Davenport/Shickley in the quarterfinals before falling to Cambridge in the semifinals. They closed the season with a five-set victory over Dundy County-Stratton in the third-place match.
Head coach Erika Kappel believes the experience gained during that run will be valuable as SEM prepares for the 2026 season.
“I’m actually very, very excited about this team this year,” Kappel said. “They’re going to be very young, but they’re a very athletic group of young ladies.”
Ten of the 12 players on SEM’s roster are freshmen or sophomores. Despite that youth, several players received significant varsity playing time last season and competed on the state tournament stage.
The Mustangs must replace two experienced seniors in Taryn Arbuthnot and Jaycelyn Hoos.
Arbuthnot was the centerpiece of SEM’s offense, finishing the season with 563 kills, 543 digs, 126 total blocks and 41 service aces. Hoos recorded 210 kills and led the Mustangs with 355 assists.
Kappel said those two players also provided examples for the younger Mustangs to follow.
“I think they had a couple of really good role models with Taryn and Jaycelyn as far as leadership,” Kappel said. “We’ve had lots of conversations that they aren’t freshmen anymore. I really want them to step into that leadership role.”
Kyler Jones and Mia Scoville are among the players being asked to take on larger leadership responsibilities.
Jones produced across the rotation as a freshman, recording 170 kills, 491 digs, 48 service aces and 45 total blocks. She led SEM in aces and finished second on the team in both digs and blocks. Scoville added 268 assists, the second-highest total on the team.
Kappel said the two sophomores bring different leadership styles.
“Kyler has that quiet confidence that they look to,” Kappel said. “Mia is the one who rallies the troops. She keeps everybody positive and is talking to everybody all the time.”
Scoville played setter last season but could transition into a libero or defensive specialist role. That is one of several potential position changes SEM explored during the summer.
Avery Harder, who also spent time at setter as a freshman and finished with 121 assists, has moved to outside hitter after emerging as one of the team’s stronger attackers.
That move could open the setting position for incoming freshman Micah Cranwell. Kappel said the Mustangs are considering running a 5-1 offense with Cranwell directing the attack.
Although running the offense is a significant responsibility for a freshman, Cranwell has extensive club volleyball experience and played in Spain during the summer.
“That’s a lot on her shoulders, but if we’re going to do it this way, I’m really going to expect her to step up in a big way,” Kappel said. “She’s very coachable. We’ve talked a lot about her setting decisions, and she listens. I think she’s going to step into that role really well.”
Freshman Ali Kappel could also contribute immediately. After spending part of the summer at outside hitter, she moved back to the middle, where her ability to get touches at the net could strengthen SEM’s blocking presence.
The Mustangs also return Haylee Hays, who recorded 32 total blocks as a freshman. Jones, Hays and Cranwell give SEM several options at the net.
Offensively, SEM expects to use a more balanced attack after relying heavily on Arbuthnot last season.
“Last year, we predominantly set to Taryn for obvious reasons,” Kappel said. “Kyler is going to get a lot of touches, but I think we’re a little more even as far as our offensive attack.”
Kappel expects the Mustangs to experience some growing pains given their youth, but she believes their athleticism and versatility will enable them to compete immediately.
“We’re going to make some freshman and sophomore mistakes. That’s going to happen,” Kappel said. “But I think people are going to see snippets of where we can be pretty dangerous. If we can string some of those things together, I think we’re going to be really successful.”
SEM opens the season at home Monday, Aug. 24, against Anselmo-Merna.
Kappel expects the Coyotes to bring a strong defensive effort and return at least one of their top attackers from last season.
“I foresee a pretty solid defense and a pretty scrappy team that doesn’t let the ball hit the floor,” Kappel said. “We have to make sure we’re scrapping around just as well as they are.”
Looking ahead to Fort Kearny Conference competition, Kappel identified Amherst as one of the teams to watch. She also expects the remainder of the conference to be closely contested after several programs lost experienced seniors.
“I think it could be anybody’s game on any night,” Kappel said. “I think we’ll be competitive. I’m excited for any matchup that challenges us.”
