ASHLAND

Coach — Jenise Vaughn (18th year)

Last year's record and league finish — 4-19, 2-10 (sixth in OCC)

Returning letter winners — Seniors Elysia Zehner (OH), Sara Finks (RSH), Hailey Mills (DS); juniors Jenna Hartson (S), Lillian Pool (MH), Brooklyn Schmitz (OH)

Promising newcomers — Junior Emma Valentine (DS); sophomores Ava Bond (OH), Taylor Schmitz (DS)

Letter winners lost — Five

Team differences between this season and last — “After a great run in 2020, including a conference championship, we admittedly faltered last year. This year, we bring more experience and better leadership. The atmosphere in the gym is very encouraging. I love being in the gym with this crew.” - Vaughn

Team strengths — “We bring a varied offense with multiple versatile hitters who can terminate across the net. Our team has a lot of depth at the defensive specialist position. Jenna Hartson, who split setting responsibilities with Jaden Smith last year, is ready to lead this team at the setter position.” - Vaughn

Team weaknesses — “We don't have as much depth along our front row. We will need to stay healthy. Last year, we battled in many matches, but we have to do a better job this year in finishing.” - Vaughn

League prediction — “Wooster has a few phenomenal players and will be tough to beat. Lexington is young but very talented. I would love to see us compete against those top teams [in the Ohio Cardinal Conference].” - Vaughn

BLACK RIVER

Coach — Courtney Dieter (12th year, 156-267; also coached BR from 2002-08)

Last year's record and league finish — 10-14, 4-10 (sixth in LC8)

Returning letter winners — Senior Breann Czarny (OH); junior Riley Kubitz (MH/S); sophomores Delaney Nixon (OH), Kailee Boyle (MH), Ava Jordan (DS/S), Ella Warner (DS), Madison Jenkins (OH/RSH)

Promising newcomers — Freshmen Remington Dieter (L), Morgan Kubitz (S/OH), Kate Dieter (DS)

Letter winners lost — Two

Season outlook — “The Pirates are coming off a youthful appearance, falling right under .500 in 2021, which had five freshmen on the roster with three seeing significant time. Look for BR to be a fierce competitor despite our youthfulness yet again. Black River only has three upperclassmen, truly redefining the meaning of a young squad in 2022, but that will not stop this team from surprising its opponents. Although the 2022 season returns only two seasoned veterans, the Black and Gold are looking to make a competitive showing in the [Lorain County 8] behind the powerful swings of [Riley] Kubitz, Nixon, Jenkins and Boyle, along with a solid defensive core of the Dieter twins and Czarny.” - Courtney Dieter

Team strengths — “Drastic improvements and growth due to our youthfulness. Hard work and growth will make our team a much different looking one in October than when we begin the season in August.” - Courtney Dieter

Team weaknesses — “Youthfulness. We don’t know what we don’t know yet.” - Courtney Dieter

CRESTVIEW

Coach — Sadie Catlett (second year, 10-12)

Last year's record and league finish — 10-12, 7-7 (fourth in FC)

Returning letter winners — Seniors Samantha Feldhake (DS), Chole Sauder (S), Izzy Ardis (MH), Grace Fry (DS); juniors Sophie Durbin (OH), Callea Shifflet (S/RSH), Emily Weaver (MH)

Promising newcomers — Junior Audrey Oliver (DS); freshman Jillian Weaver (RSH)

Letter winners lost — Two

Team differences between this season and last — “We have a more seasoned varsity team. Last season was the first year many of our athletes saw the varsity court. This year, we know what to expect.” - Catlett

Team strengths — “Our senior class has been playing together since fourth grade, and they have great chemistry together. Our junior class fits right in with them.” - Catlett

HILLSDALE

Coach — Jennifer Wells (second year, 5-17)

Last year's record and league finish — 5-17, 1-13 (eighth in WCAL)

Returning letter winners — Seniors Riley Rachel (DS), Emily McGovern (MB/MH), Taylor Morgan (OH); juniors Belle Dalton (MB/MH), Kailyn Moneer (OH), Jacey Sermulis (DS)

Promising newcomers — Junior Liv Motley (OH); sophomore Willow Funk (DS); freshmen Ally Morgan (S), Kennedy Fickes (DS/L)

Letter winners lost — Five

Team differences between this season and last — “This year, we are focusing more on consistency with hitting and serve receive, which were our weaknesses last year. We are also working more on the athletes’ mental game[s] to improve concentration and confidence, along with team camaraderie.” - Wells

Team strengths — “Currently, our team is comprised of a wide variety of players, who bring their own talents to the team. Those different talents are creating a stronger team environment than last year. Currently, our top strength is serving.” - Wells

Team weaknesses — “As always, there is always room for improvement. We need to continue to aim for consistency. We need to create a stronger offense through attacking and also to fill big roles that were occupied by our lost seniors.” - Wells

League prediction — “In a competitive Wayne County Athletic League, we hope to finish in the middle this year. I look for Smithville, Waynedale and Dalton to be big competitors.” - Wells

LOUDONVILLE

Coach — Jackie Arnold (second year, 22-4)

Last year's record and league finish — 22-4, 10-0 (first in MBC)

Returning letter winners — Seniors Mackenzie Cutlip (RH), Maddie Kline (MH), Goldie Layton (L), Ari Mitchell (OH/DS), Katie Seboe (MH); juniors Payton VanSickle (S), Olyvia Fenton (DS), Payton Barnett (OH)

Promising newcomers — Junior Sadie Kline (DS)

Letter winners lost — Three

Team differences between this season and last — “Although we have to fill two starting spots (OH/DS), we have seven starters returning. Filling one of those spots should be a two-year letter winner who was injured most of last year. The other spot is being fought for by two capable juniors. I feel we are coming into this season with more confidence in ourselves than we had last season. We have done a lot of training this summer to prepare ourselves physically and mentally.” - Arnold

Team strengths — “We are a scrappy, competitive, close-knit team. These girls have played together in many sports and have good chemistry.” - Arnold

Team weaknesses — “Sometimes we have a tendency to take on too much responsibility as individuals and not rely on our teammates, which in turn hurts us.” - Arnold

League prediction — “We should finish at the top in the Mid-Buckeye Conference, with Lucas and Kidron Central Christian being our top contenders.” - Arnold

MAPLETON

Coach — Wendy Dennison (second year, 6-17)

Last year's record and league finish — 6-17, 4-10 (sixth in FC)

Returning letter winners — Seniors Jayden Carrick (RS), Rylee Steigerwalt (DS); juniors Emilee Dennison (S), Jillian Grundy (OH), Breann McKean (MH/OH), Eastyn Rohr (L), Rhyannon Schrader (OH/DS); sophomore Madison Bailey (MH)

Promising newcomers — Sophomore Taren Kramer (MH/OH)

Letter winners lost — Five

Team differences between this season and last — “Many players have put in a lot of extra work in the offseason to come in stronger and more competitive. We have a strong group of upperclassmen leading the team.” - Wendy Dennison

Team strengths — “The team is a great group of students, athletes and teammates. They are very supportive of each other and enjoy playing together. We return several key players this year who have a strong volleyball IQ, including our setter and libero.” - Wendy Dennison

Team weaknesses — “Our starting middle hitter/blocker graduated who was a key in our offense last year. We have several promising players in our front row who have been putting in a lot of work to lead our offense this year.” - Wendy Dennison

League prediction — “The Firelands Conference is one of the toughest conferences in the area. Our goal is to be a strong competitor in our league and in our nonleague play, continue to grow and develop as the season progresses and build upon the successes we’ve had over the last few years.” - Wendy Dennison

NEW LONDON

Coach — Sarah Thomas (sixth year)

Last year's record and league finish — 5-18, 2-12 (seventh in FC)

Returning letter winners — Seniors Sasha Bowens (OH), Katie Uhrick (DS); juniors Emilee Rowland (MH/S), Jocelyn Speicher (L), Tara Davidson (H); sophomore Madison Rowland (H/DS)

Promising newcomers — Freshmen Pailee Wilson (MH), Gracie Thomas (S/OH)

Letter winners lost — Two

Team differences between this season and last — “This year, we are returning to the season with a roster of experienced varsity players while adding two very knowledgeable freshmen. Our team this year should be very well rounded, which should help us to elevate our level of play. We hope to be more of an offensive threat this year.” - Thomas 

Team strengths — “The past couple years we have been working on improving technique and playing a technically sound game. Now that we have built that foundation, we are ready to take our play to the next level and run a little quicker offense. Improving our offensive game will help us to stay competitive. In addition, this team is very hardworking and is very motivated to improve and compete this season.” - Thomas

Team weaknesses — “Consistency is still an aspect of the game that we are working on. We will need to make sure that we have the stamina to pull out long volleys and difficult plays. Maintaining a high level of play will be important in our conference play.” - Thomas

League prediction — “Our goal is to improve our record each and every year and to stay competitive. The Firelands conference has historically been a tough league. We are hoping to finish in the top half this year.” - Thomas

NORTHWESTERN

Coach — Becky Mitchell (third year, 19-24)

Last year's record and league finish — 14-8, 7-7 (fifth in WCAL)

Returning letter winners — Seniors Arianna Firebaugh (S/MH), Brailee Beun (S), Mary Wellert (DS), Brooklyn Buzzard (L/DS), Charleigh McMillan (DS); juniors Quinn Fast (DS), Josie Wright (MH), Lillian Wakefield (MH); sophomores Ella Hartsel (OH), Morgan Ervin (L/DS)

Promising newcomers — Sophomore Jule Stoller (OH); freshman Claire Buchholz (OH)

Letter winners lost — Two

Team differences between this season and last — “We have a very seasoned team with strong leaders. We are strong in many aspects of the game.” - Mitchell

Team strengths — “Our strengths this season would be our deep bench for backrow players who are all strong and talented, as well as our hitters who are comfortable hitting each position in the front row.” - Mitchell

Team weaknesses — “I can see communication and energy being a weakness for our team this season. We need to make sure we are talking and having fun on the court.” - Mitchell

League prediction — “I believe our girls will have a strong showing and hope to finish in the top four [in the Wayne County Athletic League] this season.” - Mitchell

SOUTH CENTRAL

Coach — Sara Hohler (first year, 113-69; also coached SC from 2009-16)

Last year's record and league finish — 10-12, 7-7 (fifth in FC)

Returning letter winners — Seniors Carlie Osborn (S), Lydia Chaffee (OH); juniors Angela Williams (MH), Chloe Prater (OH), Kendyl Beverly (D); sophomore Mya Gahring (S)

Letter winners lost — Five

Team differences between this season and last — “The team graduated five starters from last season, so we are rebuilding and refocusing this year. Last year, they had a lot of senior leadership on the court, so we’ve been spending a lot of time this summer developing leaders and forming connections with a new group of girls.” - Hohler

Team strengths — “This group of girls [is] not afraid to work and put in the time. I’ve been impressed with their dedication and energy this summer. We’ve consistently had 23-26 girls in the weight room/gym all summer. I like their mindset and their determination to get better. On the net, we have some height, so that will be helpful both offensively and with blocking. Our defensive players have urgency and the willingness to be scrappy and get a hand on every ball.” - Hohler

Team weaknesses — “The team is young as far as experience on the varsity floor, so game speed and reaction are going to be areas we will have to work on all season. I know that each practice and game we will get a little better and learn a little more, which hopefully will help with our success as the season progresses.” - Hohler

League prediction — “The [Firelands Conference] will continue to be competitive, and I’m sure both Monroeville and St. Paul will be back near the top. We have set goals to be in the upper half of the conference.” - Hohler

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Season previews of Ashland-area high school volleyball teams