Ricebirds Soar In Inaugural Season Opener

The energy was noticeable at Ricebird Arena on Tuesday as the Stuttgart School District volleyball program officially launched, making history with its inaugural season opener against England. Under the guidance of head coach Hannah Work and assistant coach Savannah Shandy, the brand-new team, despite facing some tough challenges, showed immense heart and hustle, giving the home crowd plenty to cheer about.

The evening kicked off with a dominant performance from the Stuttgart 7th graders, who swept their competition with impressive set victories of 25-7 and 25-13.

Next up, the Stuttgart Junior High girls showcased their resilience. After winning the first set 25-14, they faced a setback, losing the second 17-25. However, they roared back with vengeance in the decisive third set, securing a thrilling 15-8 victory that had the crowd on its feet.

While the Senior High girls fought valiantly in their very first official match, they ultimately fell to England in three sets (12-25, 14-25, 3-25). Despite the loss, Coach Work expressed immense optimism for her team. "They have done well. This being a first-year program, they have amazed me beyond words," she stated, highlighting the talent she knows her players possess.

Coach Work was candid about the team's immediate focus following the opener. "We will be working on serving 100%," she affirmed. "I got to have girls back there that are not scared to get a serve." She acknowledged the team's tendency to panic against strong servers.

The atmosphere in Ricebird Arena was electric, with a supportive crowd eager to witness the dawn of a new era for Stuttgart athletics. As Coach Work looks ahead, her confidence in her team's potential is unwavering.

This might have been just the first chapter, but the Stuttgart Ricebirds volleyball team has arrived and they're ready to put in the work to make the 2025-2026 season one to remember.