Lone Tree volleyball begins new era with Holderness at the helm

Lone Tree named Kyle Holderness as the school’s head volleyball coach for the 2026 season, as Lions kicked off the season with their first official practice on Monday.

Holderness, who is also the district’s K-12 art teacher, said he’s been taking direction from his players during the early stages of the year.

“They’ve been helping me quite a bit with learning how the practices go, the positions and all that stuff,” Holderness said. “It’s been interesting. It’s been new.”

The Lions initially hired Jaden Wulfekuhle to be the head volleyball coach, but after Wulfekuhle stepped down in May, the team was left without a leader once again. So far, the players say that they’re happy with Holderness despite his late addition to the program.

“It’s amazing,” said junior Harper Kuboushek. “We love Holderness, it’s going to be great.”

Kuboushek is one of several upperclassmen who has stepped up to lead the way for the Lions, often calling the shots in practice alongside senior Olivia Magruder.

After having just ten players on the varsity roster a season ago, Lone Tree’s numbers are back up this year thanks to a large freshman class. Kuboushek says that the team’s youth will be critical to the Lions’ success.

“We have a lot  of young talent, and it’s going to be really fun to see how we progress.”

The large freshman class has been quickly integrated due to a large portion of it playing softball this summer, building team chemistry before the group ever took the court together.

“It’s pretty much the same dynamic,” Kuboushek said. “We all get along very well, and it’s been fun practicing all together again.”

Last year, Lone Tree went winless, claiming just a single set in an early-season bout with Keota. Kuboushek is confident their fortunes are set to change in 2026, saying that the program’s first victory since 2024 is what she’s most looking forward to this fall.

A late start will give the Lions extra practice time to begin the fall, as their first game is scheduled for August 31 at the Iowa Valley quad, a week after competitions begin for volleyball players across the state.