Friday, March 6, 2026
The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
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The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
SportsVolleyball

Eagles look to recover after tough season

Preston Goehring

After a tough season, Chadron State’s volleyball program will look to be more competitive this year, and move up in the RMAC standings. The Eagles were tabbed to finish 14th in the RMAC, while Colorado School of Mines is predicted to win the conference. Colorado Mesa, who won the RMAC last season, was picked to finish third.

Last season, the Eagles finished 3-24 with two conference wins.

Rachel Guiberson, freshman of Fort Collins, Colorado, serves the ball Saturday during a scrimmage against South Dakota School of Mines at the Chicoine Events Center.— Photo by Jordyn Hulinsky
Rachel Guiberson, freshman of Fort Collins, Colorado, serves the ball Saturday during a scrimmage against South Dakota School of Mines at the Chicoine Events Center.— Photo by Jordyn Hulinsky

Four players are returning for another season for the Eagles: middle hitter Alia Brennan, junior of Chadron; Lelalelei Nomura, senior outside hitter of Pago Pago, American Samoa; outside hitter Alexis Farris, sophomore of Blair; and senior setter Justine Ackie, of Phoenix.

Nomura recorded 212 kills last season, second to only Erika Roybal. She also put up 55 blocks and 100 digs.

“Every single day we compete,” Nomura said. “We compete in practice, in the weight room, and for our positions. Our coaches do a great job at giving us reps on the court and making sure we get mental reps as well. Ninety percent of volleyball is mental. One mental error like not calling for the ball or not remembering where you’re supposed to be can change the whole game. Being mentally prepared is just as important as being physically fit.”

Brennan, CSC’s blocking leader for the last two seasons will add a lot of talent and balance to the court. She tallied 131 kills and 11 solo blocks.

“I’m looking forward to seeing our program turn the corner,” Brennan said. “We want to end up in the top eight of our conference and compete well in the RMAC tournament. We definitely have the athletes and the talent to do so.”

“We have high expectations,” Nomura said. “Our main goal is to get to the conference tournament.”

The Eagles will also have five transfer students that redshirted last season: Rudy Leasau, junior of LaMesa, California; Nikki Schmidt, senior of Merino, Colorado; Sina Mauga, senior of Ewa Beach, Hawaii; Stephanie Wilson, of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Gaby Varela, sophomore of Dorado, Puerto Rico.