High School Volleyball Previews: Miller excited for second turn at Airport
Stephanie Miller coached Airport's varsity volleyball team for four seasons from 2015-2018.
The Jets had a lot of success in her reign with 20-plus wins in three straight years and a pair of District titles. She coached the team to a 39-11-2 record her final season.
But family comes first. She stepped down after the 2018 season to spend more time with her daughter, Adeline, who was just 2 years old.
"It just wasn't a good fit at that time," Miller said. "It was hard. We were in a good spot when I stepped away. I knew the new coach wouldn't have a hard time, but it made stepping down a little bit harder."
Miller was never too far away. She coached Airport's freshman under varsity coach Bill Henneman in 2019 and then led the junior varsity in 2020 under varsity coach Kim Windham. In 2021, she left the program all together to pursue an academic certification.
That was even more difficult.
"I was always asking how things were going," Miller said. "I had girls from the program in my class that I taught at the high school. I was always asking them questions. It was the first time in 12 years I hadn't coached volleyball. It was a big change."
When Windham stepped down at the end of the last season, Miller felt the stars had aligned for her return.
Her daughter, now almost 7 years old, can be part of the experience in a meaningful way.
"She's at most of the practices, she's at the games, she went to our tournament last week with us. She's loving every minute of it," Miller said. "Every day she wakes up and asks if it's a volleyball day or a school day."
Miller steps into a different situation in her second go around with the Jets.
Airport has five freshmen on the varsity roster and lost four starters to graduation. Miller brought in 2019 Airport graduate Hannah Souva as an assistant coach.
"She played for me for four years," Miller said. "These girls don't know my expectations, but she does. It's been nice. We're spending this year training everyone and getting them used to how I do things. In the end, it will be much better.
"We keep telling the girls it's all about trust. Trust in the process."
Other new coaches to the Monroe County Region include New Boston Huron's Kaitlyn Hinojosa and Dundee's Jennifer Hernandez. Hernandez works a busy schedule and is sharing head coaching duties with Keri Salenbien.
AIRPORT
Coach: Stephanie Miller, fifth year.
2021 record: 21-7-4.
Returning players: Seniors Savannah Barkely, Emmalin Whitwham; juniors: Jade Mittendorf, Jocelynn Jondro, RaeAnn Drummond, Raschel Weaver.
Other players: Juniors Addisyn Taylor, Cecilia Ortega; freshmen Madi Boehm, Sophia Goins, Joelle Shrewsberry, Renee Shrewsberry, Peyton Zajac
Season outlook: Miller returns to take over a young squad. Mittendorf, a two-year defensive specialist, has the most experience. There will be five freshmen on the varsity, including both setters.
Coach’s comment: “This group is very young. We've stressed that this is a process and the plan is to improve every time we're on the court. This group is excited to see where their improvement is going to take them.”
BEDFORD
Coach: Jodi Manore, 39th year.
2022 record: 49-14-4.
Returning starters: Seniors Rylee Haberland, Taylor Destatte, Hannah Fausze; juniors Jaelyn Hall and Kadie Morse; sophomores Victoria Gray, Alivia Brown and Kaylin Schroeder.
Other players: Juniors Kendall Brillhart, Macy Madalinski, Madison Goforth, Mya Krohn and Camille Strickland; sophomore Hailey Kuebbeler; freshman Lucy Monahan
Season outlook: The Mules have just three seniors, but a lot of players got time on the court last season. Brown and Schroeder again will split setting duties and Haberland is back at libero. The hitting will be done by committee with Fausze, Destatte, Morse and Gray.
Coach’s comment: “I like the attitude and work ethic of this team. We have lots of potential and are aiming to move up in the SEC standings and go farther in the postseason."
CARLSON
Coach: Bill Henneman, second year.
2021 record: 9-11.
Returning starters: Seniors Skylar Zaranka, Abby Schenavar, Romej, Gloria Llakmani.
Other players: Juniors Abby Carafelli, Lauren Kline, Brooklynn Roldan, Molly Crews; sophomore Lauren Wilson; freshman Emma Ferguson.
Season outlook: Zaranka led the Marauders in most offensive categories last season. Llakmani is a vocal leader at libero. Schenavar and Romej will play in the middle. Freshman Ferguson takes over at setter.
Coach's comments: “We have a great mix of players in the gym this year. We expect contributions from everyone on the roster. The team seems to really enjoy being in the gym and working. We fully expect to be in it and competing until the end for the league title.”
DUNDEE
Coach: Jennifer Hernandez, first year.
2021 record: 25-10-3.
Returning starters: Seniors Macy Salenbien, Keira Woodzell; juniors Kennedy Irwin, Briley Bordine.
Other players: Seniors Ally Beaufait, Alyssa Amhrein, Kaylee Spaulding; juniors Lola Salenbien, Kaite Beaufait, Ashley Brant, Makenna Havens, Abbi Zeller, Shay VanZandt; freshmen Ella Fowler, Lilly Motylinski.
Season outlook: Dundee captured its first District championship since 1999 last year and advanced to the Regional finals but graduated seven seniors. Woodzell is a four-year varsity player who missed last year with an injury. Bordine will switch to libero.
Coach’s comments: "We are rebuilding after losing seven seniors last year. Looking forward to a great season with a very talented team."
ERIE MASON
Coach: Shelia Cuschieri, fifth year.
2021 record: 17-10.
Returning starters: Seniors Angela Sweeney, Cameron Zaleski; juniors Jenna Wright, Audrey Trainor.
Other players: Juniors Rylee Grodi, Geneva Bomia; sophomores Elizabeth Sweeney, Brooklyn Langenderfer; freshman Jayanna Willets.
Season outlook: Sweeney led the team in kills last year and Zaleski led in digs. Sweeney is a four-year starter originally hitting out of the middle and then moving to the outside; Zaleksi is a three-year, six-rotation starter and will run opposite Sweeney.
Coach’s comment: “This group of young ladies has put in a lot of hard work this summer. I am looking forward to getting the season started and seeing what they can do. This group has a lot of potential and we should be a strong contender this season.”
FLAT ROCK
Coach: Mackenzie Kaiser, fifth year.
2021 record: 17-28-6.
Returning starters: Seniors Alexis Knight, Kendall Kuderik, Makayla Bunce; sophomore Maddie Stager.
Other players: Seniors Peyton Mysielwic, Breeya Kryk; junior Jade Bergeron; sophomores Ava Graves, Julia Bint, Madi Parsons, Skye Sweet, Lilly Mullins; freshman Reagan Higdon.
Season outlook: Knight is back at setter. Stager and Higdon will line up outside, with Bunce and Parsons in the middle. Kuderik returns at libero. The Rams are young with six sophomores and a freshman.
Coach’s comment: "The team chemistry will be huge for us this year where in past seasons that wasn’t always there. We have a young team, so we’ll have a lot to build on the next couple years. We’re depending on our seniors to bring the younger girls in and hopefully have a pretty successful year."
IDA
Coach: Ashley Begeman, third year.
2021 record: 17-19-5.
Returning starters: Seniors Kaylee Stein, Kylie Grieser, Kylee Burkey; sophomore Ellie Jones.
Other players: Seniors Alyssia Satkowski, Ryleigh Eyler, Aleigha Hunt; juniors Gabby Gobrecht, Cori Kozlowski, Kennedy Albring; sophomores Mia Carl, Jessica Schrader; freshman Alyssa Torres.
Season outlook: Ida will be strong in the middle with Gobrecht and Carl. Eyler will be setter for experienced hitters Stein, Jones, and Grieser. Burkey returns at libero. Ida improved from 4 wins in 2020 to 17 last year.
Coach’s comment: "We have a lot of players that are new to varsity, but once we get some experience under our belt, I think we could do very well. We’re small, but we’re scrappy. We have some grit. And we have some strong hitters this year that will make a big difference."
JEFFERSON
Coach: Kylie Ely, second year.
2021 record: 7-23-3.
Returning players: Seniors Ellie Hintz, Emmi Liptow, Mya Salazar; junior Clare Boggs.
Other players: Senior Lacy Middleton; juniors Julia Perry, Meagan Middleton, Layla Tahmouch; sophomores Anna Boggs, Gracie Jones, Lindsey Gennoe.
Season outlook: Perry and Jones will play in the middle with Liptow, Hintz and Lacy and Megan Middleton on the outside. Gennoe and Claire and Anna Boggs are hard workers in the back row.
Coach’s comments: “A lot of these girls can play anywhere I put them. We are looking to shake up the league this year. These girls work really well together and have great chemistry.”
MILAN
Coach: Kathy Bradshaw, third year.
2021 record: 15-12.
Returning Starters: Senior Sylvia Koch; junior Courtney Nye.
Other players: Seniors Amanda Gregorio, Julia Satarino, Lainey Varney; juniors Hailey Knox, Mariah Stines; sophomores Malea Wourman, Lauryn Parris , Emma Budd; freshman Madison Slack.
Season outlook: Nye played in the middle last year but will move to the outside this year. She and Koch should provide a good 1-2 punch. Gregorio and Knox will lead the defense. Wourman is versatile on the front and 6-1 freshman Slack is very talented.
Coach’s comments: “I have a very young team this year after graduating seven seniors. They are working hard to rebuild our team. I have a lot of confidence in this group of young players and I believe they can be very successful this year.”
MONROE
Coach: Angela Tedora, second year.
2021 record: 13-25-1.
Returning starters: Seniors Sydney Button, Merin Merkle, Brynn Reece, Anna Tedora.
Other players: Senior CJ Jenkins; juniors Alana Aulph, Mara Bica, Jenna Ferguson, Jaiden Gilstorf, Amanda Leicht; sophomores Sophia Bussell, Mary Tedora, Ally Younglove; freshman Addy Simmons.
Season outlook: Four-year varsity player Anna Tedora is at libero and three-year returner Button will hit from multiple positions. After graduating five seniors, there are several spots up for grabs.
Coach’s comment: "We have a mindset to get better each day and that is exactly what the girls are doing. Our line up is not set which brings healthy competition to practice. I'm excited to see what this group of girls can do."
NEW BOSTON HURON
Coach: Kaitlyn Hinojosa, first year.
2021 record: 15-16-4.
Returning starters: Seniors Gabrielle Cumbo, Allison Hollingshead, Miranda Jasinski; junior Erin Newman; sophomore Ellen Town.
Other players: Seniors Quinn Drysdale, Madalyn Dulecki; juniors Veronica Richardson, Regina Thomas, Emma Dittmar.
Season outlook: Huron has experience with 8 of its 10 players returning, including five starters. Setter Cumbo received honorable mention All-State last season. Town is a powerful outside hitter.
Coach’s comments: “This is a very talented and athletic group of young ladies. They come to practice and work hard every day, and they are looking forward to showing off their talents this season.”
SMCC
Coach: Cassie Haut, second year.
2021 record: 36-12.
Returning starters: Senior Lauren Conant; junior Jillian Anderson; sophomores Jessica Costlow, Mckenna Payne.
Other players: Leah DeSarbo, Kyleigh Cobb, Raelyn Turner, Lyndsay Conant, Analiese Flint, Ashley Ruhlig, Mackenzie Niedermeyer, Molly Blanchett, Faith Dean, Ava Villareal, Maddie Dettling.
Season outlook: Payne rang up 465 kills last season and Costlow had 414. Both were All-Region players as freshmen. Conant and Anderson also were major contributors to a team that finished second in the state. Finding a new setter and middle hitter will be key.
Coach’s comments: “We are young but we have experience. … Something I love to see is the level of passion and grit the team has brought every day to practice. We have depth in all positions and are looking forward to competing at the highest level.”
STATE LINE CHRISTIAN
Coach: Gina Yglesias, seventh year.
Returning starters: Seniors Anna Cox, Alex Feltner, Rachael Kerekes; junior Emma Gorny; sophomore Aliyah King.
Other players: Senior Ava Feltner; sophomores Andrea Nowak, Leah Woll; freshmen Gracie Kuhns, Lily Kelly .
Season outlook: The Patriots should make great strides this season with five returning starters.
Coach’s comments: “This might be the most aggressive team I've had. They have to work on consistency, but they are quick. Looking forward to a good season.”
SUMMERFIELD
Coach: Dawn Perry, second year.
2021 record: 9-15.
Returning starters: Seniors Addison Ciacelli, Kailee LaPlante, Sophia LaRocca, Megan Pease; juniors Faith Secor, Ava Fisher.
Other players: Senior Julia Fietz; juniors Marissa Eastman, Ruby Baugher, Lindsey Roof.
Season outlook: LaPlante led the offense last season and earned a spot on the All-Region team. Ciacelli returns at setter and has good weapons in LaPlante, Pease, Fietz, and Secor. LaRocca and Fisher lead the defense.
Coach's comment: "With seven returning varsity players, the experience is there. These girls have been playing together for a long time, in season and during the offseason. The chemistry is unmatched. With a team this well rounded, I am expecting big things this season."
WHITEFORD
Coach: Janie Bunge, second year.
2021 record: 11-18-2.
Returning starters: Seniors Alaina Andrews, Allison Spradling, Aly VanBrandt, Jessica Ulery, Mackenzie Ulery, Alyssa Ulery; juniors Kenzie Gray, Karlei Conard.
Other players: Juniors Maddie Bieber, Anna Schrober, Sofie Minkowski, Shay Alexander; sophomore Liv Ruehle.
Season outlook: Andrews is the starting setter for the third straight year. “She is a leader on and off the court and just a really good volleyball player all around,” Bunge said. Spradling is the top hitter. "She is our go-to and our best all-around player,” Bunge said. VanBrandt is back at libero.
Coach’s comment: “They are close knit and have a will to improve and win. They want to be in the gym as much as possible which makes my job easy.”
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: High School Volleyball Previews: Miller excited for second turn at Airport
