Coach of the Year: Taylor Hafner ends first year with accolade
Nov. 17—DICKINSON — Your reach should always exceed your grasp to achieve greatness, which is exactly how the Midgets approached the 2023 volleyball season under the leadership of head coach Taylor Hafner.
Hafner has surpassed the team's expectations to vie for top placements of any level of competition in her first year with the program and her positive influence has caught the eyes of the conference and was properly recognized.
Dickinson High missed the mark to participate in the state tournament after losing their qualifier against Bismarck Legacy, but Hafner's efforts in her inaugural season coaching with the Western Dakota Association earned her the conference's postseason award for Coach of the Year. Senior Jasmine Barry and sophomores Jenna Nelson and Cecilia Homiston were also selected to the all-region team.
The Midgets ended the season with a 12-8 record in the WDA and 21-15 overall.
This may have been Hafner's first year in the WDA, but her eight years with the Class B New England Tigers stand out on her resume, who had commendable success in their region. Her last year with the Tigers, she guided them to a successful 7-4 region record, aided greatly by her philosophy of developmental success.
From the sound of the metaphorical starting pistol, Hafner faced adversity losing her first three matches at the preseason BPS Crossover Tourney — winning only one set. She and her coaching staff were not deterred, urging their athletes to trust the process. The first win came shortly after in a 2-1 victory over South Fargo.
Suddenly the palms began to pile up.
One of the season's most-exciting triumphs was when the Midgets were able to dig out of a three-match skid, capped by a 3-0 double-counter victory against Bismarck Legacy. The Sabers were the team to beat, as they were the only squad to hand WDA's No. 1 Jamestown their only regular season defeat. They also defeated Century, who went on to win the WDA championship.
Though the Sabers were the ones to get the last laugh in the season, Dickinson proved their abilities and strength and that they must be revered when opposed.
Hafner's determined personality has established the tone for the Midgets and with it a hunger for success and the all honors that come with it. Her character and commitment to her athletes and the programs foreshadows what is to come as the Midgets continue down the long and arduous path of a championship mindset.
