By: Matt Scher, matts@977thebolt.com
Charles City, IA – The No. 2 (3A) Humboldt Wildcats volleyball team opened the 2026 season in convincing fashion Thursday night, sweeping Charles City in three sets (25-16, 25-14 and 25-10) in the Wildcats’ season and North Central Conference opener.
The Wildcats showed improvement as the match progressed, settling in after a first set that featured some early miscues and nerves.
Humboldt Head Coach Kara Waldorf said the young Wildcats gained confidence as they became more comfortable on the court.
“We have a lot of new girls on the court and so you could kind of tell it maybe started out a little slower, but as the play went on they got a little bit more aggressive,” Waldorf said. “It just feels good to be able to get that in three and just build a little confidence around them.”
Waldorf said the Wildcats entered the match emphasizing intensity, limiting their own errors and being aggressive from the service line and offensively.
The first set was Humboldt’s most competitive of the night, but the Wildcats were able to pull away before taking control of the match in the second and third sets.
“I told the girls coming in that we will make errors in this game being our first match of the year,” Waldorf said. “It’s how you bounce back from them.”
One area Waldorf identified for improvement was serve receive. She said Humboldt’s offensive potential makes staying in system particularly important.
“If we can stay in system, I think it makes us a huge threat,” Waldorf said. “We do need to be a little bit better at serve receive.”
The Wildcats also received contributions from several younger players making their mark in their first varsity action of the season. Waldorf specifically pointed to sophomore Callie Olson and freshman Mollie Emick.
Waldorf said Callie provided an offensive threat from the outside, while Emick showed progress in her first varsity match.
The team’s returning players also provided leadership, with Addie Waldorf and Adelynn Goodell working together at the net.
“They’re just fun to watch together,” Waldorf said. “I’m really excited to see how they progress throughout the season.”
Despite the sweep, Waldorf said the Wildcats understand there is plenty of work ahead.
Humboldt will look to build on Thursday’s performance while continuing to improve defensively and in serve receive.
“I think our defense definitely can improve and it just needs to flow a little bit better,” Waldorf said. “There’s just in every area I think we can make improvement, which is exciting because I think this group wants it and wants to work at it.”
For Humboldt, the Wildcats were led by Goodell in kills with 15, and junior Jazzie Dodd contributed 14 kills in the victory. Waldorf led the team with 31 assists and freshman Ryah Cirks led the team with 10 digs, Waldorf adding nine digs.
The Wildcats return home Saturday for the Humboldt Volleyball Invitational. The tournament will feature five matches for Humboldt as the Wildcats begin the home portion of their schedule.
Waldorf said the tournament will provide an early test for the young team, particularly with the mental and physical demands of playing five matches in one day.
“I know that these girls have the desire to win,” Waldorf said. “If they’re pushed by good competition, they’re going to give it their all.”
Humboldt enters Saturday’s tournament (1-0, 1-0 NCC). The tournament begins at 9 a.m.