NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTOS BY STEVE BRANT – STC senior outside hitter Paisley Bro. 1st Team all-WaMaC

For head coach Emily Chyma and the STC volleyball team it was a historic season this fall. And, deservedly, they were honored as such. Five Trojans earned honors from the WaMaC conference it was announced recently, including two athletes who landed on the prestigious first team.

STC senior outside-hitter Paisley Bro earned her second straight spot on the WaMaC first team. Bro was also named to the first team in her junior year, and landed on the second team during her sophomore campaign. This season, Bro led the Trojans with 228 kills. She was also 2nd in digs (177), 3rd in aces (42), 4th in blocks (19), and 6th in assists (15).

Joining Bro on the WaMaC first team was junior right-side hitter Stella Zmolek. This fall, Zmolek finished tied for 2nd on the team in kills, with 166. She also was 3rd in blocks (28), 5th in aces (28), 7th in digs (40), and 9th in assists (6). Last season, Zmolek earned a spot on the WaMaC second team.

STC junior setter Maylee Rucker was named to the WaMaC second team this season, after leading the Trojans in both assists (370), and aces (47), this fall. She also finished 4th in kills (105), 5th in digs (115), and 6th in blocks (13). It is the second year in a row that Rucker has earned second team honors from the WaMaC conference.

Earning honorable mention from the WaMaC conference were a pair of Trojan juniors: outside hitter Scout Ridout and libero Sydney Arp. Ridout finished first on the team this season in digs (181), tied for 2nd in kills (166), 4th in aces (38), tied for 4th in assists (18), and 5th in blocks (17).

STC junior right-side hitter Stella Zmolek. 1st Team all-WaMaC

Arp finished 2nd on the team in aces (45), 3rd in digs (156), and tied for 4th in assists (18). It was the first time both Ridout and Arp have been recognized by the WaMaC conference for their play.

The Trojans finished third in the WaMaC western division this season with a record of 3-2. They finished behind Clear Creek-Amana and Grinnell, who tied for first place with a record of 4-1. STC finished ahead of Benton (2-3), Williamsburg (2-3) and Vinton-Shellsburg (0-5). CCA senior middle hitter Bailey Simpson won the western division player-of-the-year. The Clippers also went all the way to the class 4A championship match, where they lost to Norwalk.

Other statistical leaders for the Trojans this season included: junior Kenzi Boriskey (1st in blocks — 43, 5th in kills — 71); junior Shelby Johannsen (2nd in blocks –37, 6th in kills –70); junior Brylee Nelson (3rd in assists –38, 4th in digs –150); and junior Layla Pansegrau (2nd in assists –300, 6th in aces –27).

On Oct. 20, STC hosted Columbus Catholic in the Class 3A, Region 3 opening round of the postseason playoffs, where they defeated the Sailors, 3-0. In the following round, on October 22, the Trojans fell to Class 3A, #3 rated Dike-New Hartford, 3-0, to complete their season. The Wolverines went on to qualify for the 2026 state volleyball tournament.

It was a historic season for the STC volleyball program. According to STC’s social media accounts, the team’s overall record of 25-14 represented the most wins in program history. Some notable wins this fall included victories over: Gilbert, Decorah, PCM, West Marshall,

STC junior setter Maylee Rucker. 2nd Team all-WaMaC

Boone, Oelwein, Williamsburg, and Vinton-Shellsburg. The Trojans also won the South Hardin tournament and their home tournament at STC.

Seniors on this year’s squad included Bro and Desiray Popelka. STC is led by head coach Emily Chyma, and assistants Leah Fanua and Ashley Raue.

STC junior outside hitter Scout Ridout. Honorable mention all-WaMaC

STC junior libero Sydney Arp. Honorable mention all-WaMaC

STC junior Brylee Nelson (#3) celebrates with her teammates after defeating Columbus Catholic in the first round of the class 3A playoffs. STC finished with a record of 25-14 this fall--the most victories for a volleyball team in school history.