Portage County volleyball players to watch
After combing through the preview forms coaches sent in as well as stats and all-league awards from last season, here are 10 volleyball players to watch as the 2022 campaign begins:
1. Madeline Shirkey, Garfield senior
A starting setter since her freshman season, Madeline Shirkey checks all the boxes for what you'd want out of a setter. She's got height, great hands and the athleticism to get to bumps that might be a bit off-line. While her 603 assists are highly impressive, Shirkey is also an underrated hitter and server (she led the team with 71 aces last season).
2. Gabby Barnard, Garfield senior
A letterwinner every season for the G-Men, Gabby Barnard is a wonderful blend of offense and defense. She packs plenty of power on her spikes, leading last year's team with 279 kills, and is also very capable in the back row, leading last year's team with 227 digs.
3. Taylor Dunlap, Roosevelt senior
Taylor Dunlap has been one of the Rough Riders' best players since she was a freshman, including nine kills against Bedford in her high school debut. A second team all-Suburban League standout last season, Dunlap is a presence at the net with great length (5-11), but is also a stellar all-around player who will play all six rotations.
4. Allison Strickland, Rootstown sophomore
Though just a sophomore, Allison Strickland brings tremendous varsity experience after accounting for 417 of the Rovers' 451 assists last season. The Rovers also hope to get her more involved with attacking this year.
5. Julia Jones, Windham senior
The multiple-year letterwinner will be a leading force at the net for the Bombers this season. Last season, Jones had 120 kills and also led the team in aces with 77.
6. Mia Devine, Aurora senior
Mia Devine was one of the Greenmen's leading hitters last season, finishing fourth on the team with 127 kills. With the three hitters ahead of her gone to graduation (Lauren Vonderhaar, Jordan Miller and Alayna Fromwiller), Devine will hold "down the middle hitter spot while demanding a lot of respect at all times in the front row," per coach Tyler Price.
7. Aimee Barnauskas, Crestwood senior
Aimee Barnauskas was first team all-conference and all-district last year. A "great athlete" who will surely draw doubles and triples, Barnauskas is "very skilled at seeing the floor and she's good at mixing up her attacks," per Red Devils coach Wanda Hoffman, while also excelling all over the court, including in serve receive.
8. Taylor Francis, Field senior
The Falcons will lean heavily on Taylor Francis, who is the team's "top hitter and passer for her senior year," per coach Beth Dyer. She also brings extensive experience as an "all-around varsity player since freshman year."
9. Kenzington Miller, Mogadore junior
A first team all-league selection last season, Kenzington Miller figures to be key all over the court. Last year, for example, she tallied double-digit assists in a win over Warren JFK, double-digit service points in a victory over Southeast and double-digit kills in a loss to Lake Center.
10. Brooklyn McIntyre, Mogadore junior
Brooklyn McIntyre has made a name for herself in all three seasons for the Wildcats. It's surely no surprise that her speed translates perfectly to the back row of a volleyball court.
This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Portage County volleyball players to watch
