Danielle Dolan was a senior on the first Aquinas team to go to state, now she's the head coach looking to lead another Blugold team back to the Resch Center.
The first year head coach says spoiled to take over the reigns of such a successful program and talented roster in 2024.
The Blugolds made it all the way to the sectional final last season before falling in three sets to Cuba City. But that loss has fueled a hunger to take the next step with a roster that boasts a ton of returning talent.
Aquinas brings back their top two attackers on the outside in Addison Foor and Sammy Davis, their best backline defender in Tessa Miskowski and a plethora of other key pieces which should make them a force to be reckoned with this season.
"I said to the girls today when we met this morning that this program meant so much to me when I was in high school and I played for this team and there's no greater feeling than reaching the milestones that you set for yourself at the beginning of the year," said Dolan.
The team is very comfortable with their new coach as she was in charge during a lot of their junior varsity seasons in years past. "I feel like this transition has been super seamless and I feel like Dani was the best person for this job. Obviously I loved having Nellie as my coach for three years but they have a lot of similarities and I'm just super excited to work with Dani too," said senior outsider hitter Addison Foor.
One of the main goals is to first finish first in what should be a tough Mississippi Valley Conference but beyond that a trip to the state tournament could be well within reach.
"I think playing in a state game would be so fun and just a really cool experience for us all to have and we were so close last year so I'm really hoping that this year we're able to work it out and make it there," added senior libero Tessa Miskowski.
Aquinas will go for their sixth consecutive 20-win season. The Blugolds get going with their first game on August 27th at home against Holmen.
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