Reynoldsburg girls volleyball team pushing toward first winning season since 2005
With the Reynoldsburg girls volleyball team down 2-0 against Westerville North on Sept. 19, sophomore outside hitter Kate Longaberger and her teammates stepped up their intensity level.
The final result wasn’t a victory, but the Raiders built an early lead in the third set — which they won 27-25 — providing an example of the mental maturity they believe they’ve been showing this season.
Reynoldsburg was 10-8 overall and 4-2 in the OCC-Buckeye Division before playing Newark on Sept. 29.
"We were all angry and annoyed (after falling behind 2-0 against North),” Longaberger said. “We had a goal and we worked toward it.”
According to Longaberger, she and her teammates often “get into the huddle and are laughing and having a good time” even when things are challenging.
One thing that’s been noticeably different is the Raiders are enjoying their most success in nearly two decades.
The last time Reynoldsburg finished with a winning record was when it went 12-11 in 2005 in the finale of former coach Carole Morbitzer’s six seasons.
The Raiders have changed coaches 10 times since then, with Tricia Nunemaker having the longest tenure of three seasons.
Caitlin Harper coached Reynoldsburg in 2013 and 2014 and returned last fall to take over a program that had gone 10-11 in 2020 in its only season under Cassie Tackett.
“This is the most wins that I’ve experienced on any team I’ve ever been on, so this is big for me,” senior setter Daniella Kefauver said. “Everyone has really improved a lot. We have a lot better communication and connection on and off the court. We bond really, really well, and you can tell on the court that we always have fun.”
The Division I seeding meeting will be held Oct. 9 and the postseason begins Oct. 25.
The Raiders were the 26th seed and lost in the first round last season, but their better record this fall should put them in a better position heading into the drawing.
The last tournament win for the program came in 2017, and the last time Reynoldsburg made it as far as a district semifinal was in 1999.
“We’re a more mature team,” Harper said. “That was the goal, and it’s going to continue to come. The biggest thing these girls have done is find a way to work together even though we don’t have a roster of top-of-the-line athletes at every position. It’s about owning who you are and having confidence in that and your teammates and that’s what’s going to make you more successful.”
Through 17 matches, Longaberger led in kills (149) and juniors Maren Chang (middle hitter/outside hitter) and Carmen Heckman (outside hitter/defensive specialist) also were among the top hitters.
Juniors Marissa French (outside hitter/right-side hitter) and Sabrina Ripple (middle hitter/outside hitter) and sophomores Allison Cook (libero) and Zion Smith (middle hitter) also have been key contributors.
Other key seniors have included defensive specialists Caysee Matter, Lexi Moses and Kyla Rice, while senior Emma Bernay has provided depth at setter.
“Our (sophomore) class is super talented,” Longaberger said. “We all were seventh- and eighth-graders who played together and we’ve learned a lot. We just have a better connection. We’re more aggressive, our defense has gotten a lot better, we’re more scrappy and we’re playing with a faster tempo.
“(I’ve worked on) my mental game. I feel like last year I got in my head a lot and I kind of gave up on myself, but this year, I feel like I’m really doing well at being there for my team and I’m just having fun.”
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This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Reynoldsburg girls volleyball pushing toward rare winning season
