Volleyball capsules: Sheridan, New Lex highlight balanced play in MVL
Here is a look at several area volleyball teams. Information was not received for Tri-Valley, Philo, West Muskingum, and Zanesville. If information is submitted, it will run at a later date.
Sheridan
Another district title and regional appearance highlighted a 20-7 campaign for the Generals, who are led by eighth-year coach Mandy Fox.
A pair of All-Ohioans, Faith Stinson and Ally Perkins, along with Abby Dupler, Bailey Beckstedt, Clare Fink and Kinze Miller, are the losses, especially at the net, that Fox must replace.
Junior middle-outside hitter Jamisyn Stinson, a Muskingum Valley League first teamer and District 12 second teamer, and senior Alexis Bradley highlight the returning letter winners. Seniors Alyssa Ward and Rilyn Reedy and juniors Reagan Davis and Nora Saffell are also back.
Several newcomers has Fox excited about their potential. Junior middle Addie Black will provide support at the net, while sophomores Payton Powell, Halle Warner, Ava Heller and Dylan Fox bring a combination of IQ and talent to the floor.
"We lost a big presence at the net and in leadership. They had high expectations and set the bar high," Fox said. "We are young but athletic with amazing team chemistry. This is a very hard-working group, and I think the sky is the limit for them."
New Lexington
The Panthers want to build on last season after going 14-10 with a sectional title and finishing third in the Small School Division.
Braya Jones, Parina Patel, and Mckenna Pingle have graduated, but coach Alyssa Wolfe has a solid core, led by by senior middle hitter Jerilynn Koehler. The Cleveland State commit was first team All-MVL and District 12 after collecting 273 kills, 36 aces and 90 blocks with a .341 hitting percentage and a 46.4 kill percentage.
Senior outside hitter Nora Duperow, who had 132 kills, 207 digs, 42 aces and an 86% serve reception, and senior setter Lizzie Ellis, the MVL and District 12 honoree had 597 assists and 142 digs, are also back.
Juniors Abby Wilson (middle hitter) and Trinity Cook (outside hitter) and senior right side hitters Addee Straits and Makenzie Carroll also return. Wilson had 105 kills and 56 blocks and Cook chipped in 280 digs, 100 kills, 61 aces, a 91.8 serving percent and a 94% serve reception.
A slew of newcomers will battle for time, including freshmen Chloe Dick (RH/OH), Gracie Newlon (DS), Jorja Burkhart (S) and Caroline Dupler (MH/RH), juniors Bella Chevalier (DS) and Brooklyn Burd (RH), and sophomore Addison Wycinski (DS).
"Expectations are high because we have built up to this season the last few years by getting all the pieces fine tuned to where we need them," Wolfe said. "We have a core group of returners who have led the way for an athletic group of incoming freshman to understand how we do things in our program. This is the most athletic and versatile group that I have ever coached, and they train with great intensity and have really developed their game IQ.
"We played a ton of competition this summer to prep us and have entered this fall as seasoned volleyball players," she added. "I am excited about the opportunities they will have this season to display their hard work. While we have built for this season, we need to take it day by day, enjoy every moment of the journey and continue to grow and develop for postseason."
John Glenn
Christie McGee, who is 198-90 for her career returns for her 12th season with assistant coaches Brent McLoughlin, Emily Spragg and Megan Grimm alongside.
The Muskies, who went 14-10 overall and 9-7 in the MVL, won another sectional title but graduated several key players, including first team MVL and District player Emma Johnson and Abby Buchtel. They were the top two players on the team in kills and digs, while Rachel Meinert, Ryann Durben and Brynna Wolford are also gone.
A pair of senior middle hitter highlight the returning letter winners. Hannah DeMattio led the team in blocks, and Kara Fields, who was second in blocks, are back, along with juniors Emma Briggs (OH) and Emma Dolan (OPP) and sophomore setter Lauren Blair, who led the team in assists.
Four newcomers are expected to contribute. Junior outside hitter Aleea Musselman returns after missing last year with an ACL injury, and is joined by seniors Graceann Hitchcock (DS) and Sydney White (DS) and junior Sarah Wayne (DS).
"We have a more experienced team than in 2021 and want to go above and beyond last season’s accomplishments. Our senior leadership is strong and well supported by the underclassmen," McGee said. "While we do not have many flashy stats from last season, we have a team that works very well together. This team is motivated, aggressive and fun to coach. Our expectations are always to be contending for the top spot in the MVL and a long post-season run."
Morgan
Traci Baker starts her fifth season with the Raiders, with assistant Rusty Masterson and junior varsity coach Tiffany Lanning on her staff.
Morgan graduated several players, including Kenzie Zumbro, a unanimous MVL selection and first team District 12 pick. She also owns the school record in assists as a four-year starting setter, while Emma Woodard and Elizabeth Fesler are also gone
Six seniors should keep the Raiders competitive, led by Grace Pinkerton, the outside hitter who made first team MVL and second team District 12. Classmates Montana Pettet (S), Jensen Peyton (MH), Odessa Smith (OH), Abbi Brown (DS/OH) and Brooklyn Pierce (DS), join her as do junior Ashtyn Filkins (DS) and sophomore Evelyn Newton (MH).
Sophomore defensive specialist Blair Clawson and freshman setter Chloe Baker are the newcomers to the varsity rotation.
"We have been working on serving tough, movement on the court, and control," Baker said. "Team Chemistry and communication will play a key to the success of team."
Maysville
Second-year coach Megan McCulley has aspirations to turn the Panthers around after going 5-17.
The losses include Emma McPeek, Hannah Fulkerson, Mallori Bradley, Izzy Hutchison and Jayda McGarvey, while several returning letter winners will carry the load. Senior Arissa Savage (OPP) and juniors Olivia McPeek (Setter), Rachel Jarvis (Oustide), Bella Pfeifer (Oustide) and Kendyl Deal (defensive specialist) are back.
Sophomores Haylee Cornett (Middle hitter), Sailor Atkins (Middle Hitter), Taelyn Dickinson (Outside hitter), and Rebekah Scott (libero) highlight the key newcomers.
Crooksville
Courtney Barnhart returns for her second year with the Ceramics after going 2-19 and winless in the MVL.
Crooksville lost its starting libero and middle hitter, while four seniors are back. Senior Taisia Riggs, a District 12 and MVL honorable mention, returns at setter, while classmates Ellie Ferguson (MH), Mylee Moorehead (DS) and Khirra Wilson (OH) and sophomores Maelee Collins (L) and Brynn Lundell (OH) provide varsity experience.
Barnhart's focus is to try to turn the program around, while several underclassmen can provide depth.
"This year is about hustle and heart. We are looking to out hustle teams defensively and utilize our strengths to overcome our weaknesses," she said. "We are a relatively young team with several sophomores taking on big roles on the court this year. Our four seniors are looking to step up and lead the team towards improvements from last season."
Rosecrans
Roderick Gibson takes over the Bishops, who went 8-14 overall and 5-9 in the Mid-State League Cardinal Division.
Kelly Goggin, who had most career assists, season assists, match assists and career aces, highlights the losses, which also include Emily Backus, Kennedy Tolliver, who set the school record last season for most aces per season, and Ellie Wilson, who led the team with the most kills last season.
Seniors Ella Lambert and Emma Winegar headline the returning letter winners, along with juniors Lexi Oldfield, Rebecca Kunkler, Hailey Lepi and Samantha Delik and sophomores Maddi Pugh and Leeann Robinson, while sophomore Kinsley McVicker, a John Glenn transfer, highlights the newcomers.
"Despite graduating some great players, this team is hungry and ready for success," Gibson said. "The girls have trained hard and we are looking forward to the challenges ahead."
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Volleyball capsules: Sheridan, New Lex highlight balanced play in MVL
