PREBLE COUNTY — Expectations are high for area volleyball teams this year as the season gets under way this week.
Eaton
Coach’s name: Parker Fields
Number of years as head coach at current school: 4th year (105-62 coaching record)
Last season’s record: 13-10, 7-5 SWBL
Eaton will be looking for its lone senior — Ariel Richardson — to provide leadership to a group that returns a bulk of its varsity players from a year ago. The Eagles return six juniors who saw extensive playing time as sophomores last year and expect to challenge for a league title this season.
Richardson, outside hitter, senior: is a 4 year varsity player, “looking for leadership out of her because of experience,” Fields said.
The junior class includes:
Ava Miller, middle hitter, junior.
Becca Mowen, OH, junior: “Looking for Becca to be a major contributor, offensively. We are also looking for her to bring a big energy to the team out on the court,” Fields said.
Maley Tinstman, S, junior and Courtney Giffen, S, junior:
“I’m looking for my two setters to run an effective offense, and to continually get better as the season moves on and as they gain more experience running the offense,” the coach said.
Annika Gels, Libero, junior: “I’m looking for Annika to pick up a lot of balls that didn’t get picked up last season. I trust that she will be a major contributor as far as communication and leadership is concerned,” Fields said.
Alysa Sorrell, DS, junior
New this year are sophomores Shay Perry, MH, and Julianne Leasure, DS.
“This team should compete for a league championship based on experience and ability. I am looking for an improvement in communication, effort, and energy, as the season progresses,” Fields said.
National Trail
Coach’s name: Joy Yeazel
Number of years as head coach at current school: 12
Last season’s record: 4-18
Yeazel is expecting Ariel Lee, a senior 4-year letter winner to help anchor our defense. She has really embraced our focus this year and I expect her to be a great leader on the court. Ariel brings great enthusiasm to the court.
Lauren Moore is returning back to the volleyball court after not playing last year, she earned her varsity letter her sophomore year. Yeazel looks for Lauren to be a leader on the court also and to provide an outside hitting threat.
Risa Griffin and Lexi Steiner are the other returning varsity letter winners. “Risa is our libero and I look for her to be a leader on the court also. Lexi is our best returning blocker she will play middle and I look for her to continue to improve game by game and she should be one of our biggest offense of threats,” Yeazel said.
Brooke Johnson is our sophomore returning varsity player. Brooke is our setter and has really improved over the summer.
Yeazel said she has a quality group of freshman to fill the remaining spots.
“We have a great group of freshman coming in, Angel and Tristan Bowers are two that will see a lot of varsity action. Madison Hathaway has already stepped up in practices and will see varsity playing time also,” the coach said.
Yeazel said she wants her team to be better by the end of the season on and off the court.
“I really like the way we played in scrimmages, but we are going to have to continue to work hard. I am Really excited about this season with these girls, I expect great things from them,” she said. “My expectations for the team are for them to be elite individuals, coming together push each other to be better volleyball players and people.”
The Blazers moved to Division IV this year after spending several years in Division III.
Twin Valley South
Coach’s name: Leslie Roberts (Jandee Mowell, returns as JV Coach)
Number of years as head coach at current school: 31st
Last season’s record: 15-8 (upset Ansonia in first round, lost to Covington in second round)
TVS lost four starters — Delaney Adams, Abby Beneke, Emma Fergus, Madison Wright — to graduation from a 15-8 team.
Returning players
Mylan Crews — “baller” setter, awesome leader, very giving team player and talented athlete. We will rely on “My” a lot to keep us focused on our team mission. (Second team all-cross county conference/district)
Samantha Janecek — utility, Sam is versatile enough to fill in anywhere we need her. She will provide great encouragement to the younger players as she has great experiences to draw from.
Audrey Chesney — middle, we’ll look to her to provide some “fire” power and be a spirited leader.
Sidney Mowell — preseason libero, very versatile with great athleticism, can play everywhere.
Zoe Utsinger — middle, provides height, a good blocking presence at the net. She will also provide our offense with another “go-to” option.
Roberts is looking for contributions from her outside hitters.
Rylie Gearhart (Jr) and Mackenzie Neal (Fr) both are outsides, looking forward to Rylie and “Kenzie” playing good defense and putting up some solid offensive numbers this season as they develop their skills moving into matches.
Claire Fergus (So) — utility, we’ll rely on Claire to continue to develop her entire game and bring her intensity (matched only by Jack Harbaugh) to each and every play.
We are also looking for some quality time from the following student-athletes: Maegan Carson (Jr) middle; Alexis Bennett (So) setter/opposite; Alyssa Clark (So) middle/opposite.
Roberts said she wants the team to “Be relevant. Be competitive in every match … make other programs have to practice before and after they play us.”
She said expectations are always high at South.
“We really strive to develop the entire person here at South not just the volleyball player. Although, volleyball is a great vehicle to use to develop skills for a lifetime the young women can utilize throughout their career. We remain focused on the positives, building healthy team relationships and instilling accountability in something larger than oneself that is worthwhile to do correctly,” Roberts said. “I’ve always believed that building their intestinal fortitude to develop the young women into the best student-athletes they can be will better serve them later in life. We continue to develop each young woman for their life role and embrace the “opportunity” we’ve been given to fulfill our commitment to empowering and mentoring female athletes moving forward.”
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