Redskins’ Day, Lakers’ Lavelle are back on court
Port Clinton’s Sydney Alexander, Oak Harbor’s Annie Quisno, Genoa’s Haley Pickard, Danbury’s Kelly Lavelle and Woodmore’s Makenzie Hoffman are among the returners for their volleyball teams.
PORT CLINTON
Coach: Kelly Ward (2nd season)
Last season: 5-18, 0-12 Sandusky Bay Conference
Who’s back: Seniors Marisa Day (MH/DS), Sydney Alexander (MH), Melanie Payne (DS), Morrisa Mallory (RS), junior Katelyn Wammes (OH), sophomore Chloe Avis (setter).
Who’s gone: Allie Schroeder, Tarynn Edgefield, Taylor Zink
Who’s new: Senior Ebony Kleinhans (OH), juniors Ellen Walters (OH), sophomores Abby Decker (OH/MH), Alexis Cook (OH/DS), Merissa Jagucki (setter/DS).
Outlook: “The team is on track to have a successful season,” Ward said. “The players do a great job working together on the court. They created a strong bond last season that has carried through to this year. The players have also dedicated many hours to the weight room and conditioning over the summer. We are looking for our captains, Day (three letters) and Alexander (two letters) to lead our team once again. They are both strong all-around players. Morrisa has also picked up where she left off last year giving us a strong right-side hitter. Overall, we are excited for the upcoming season.”
OAK HARBOR
Coach: Jacki Gezo (1st year)
Last season: 5-17
Who’s back: Juniors Ally Bloomer (MH), Emma Bergman (DS), Faith Konieczny (DS), seniors Annie Quisno (OH), Athena Eli (OH/DS).
Who’s gone: Jordyn Thorpe; Rebecca Rayburn.
Who’s new: Peyton Bloomer, Loyan Harris, Abby Dornbusch, Chloe Shanteau.
Outlook: Oak Harbor returns five starters with a solid offensive skillset and chemistry. The Rockets will have to sharpen their defense and remain confident to keep their intensity up throughout matches. “I’m very excited for this group of girls,” Gezo said. “With their team chemistry and talent, this could be a great season for us.”
GENOA
Coach: Ashley Brown (2nd season)
Last season: 5-17
Who’s back: Seniors Jordan Blausey (middle blocker), Haley Pickard (libero), juniors Erica Smith (setter), Maddie Buehler (DS), Morgan Contreras (RS/S), Ryle Kerchevall (AA), Kelsey Auger (RS/MB), sophomore Brook Bryant (AA).
Who’s gone: Christy Dazely, Maddie Mazur
Who’s new: Freshmen Sasha Roberts (MB), Amanda Tucholski (AA/OH), Alexis Bryer (OH/MB), sophomore Abby Wolfe.
Outlook: “Genoa is a young growing team this season,” Brown said. “We have a strong defensive team led by Haley Pickard, who moved into a Libero position this year. Amanda Tucholski is going to be a driving force on our team. She is a leader and is incredibly smart with ball placement. I'm hoping to increase our wins this season to a winning record. We are building the program and will continue to gain momentum over the next few years.”
DANBURY
Coach: Katie Humphrey (1st season)
Last season: 3-20
Who's back: Seniors Kelly Lavelle (OH), Lexi Mitchell (M), Hayley Doski (S), Sydney Judd (L), sophomore Lily Bishoff (S).
Who's gone: Lauren Kalinoski, Megan Stephens, Haley Menier.
Who's new: Seniors Sam Wilkinson (M), Sam Puckett (RS), junior Alison Sypherd (RS), sophomores Sarah Redett (OH), Haley Hoffman (M).
Outlook: Humphrey previously coached the junior varsity and eighth-grade teams. “Glad to be back coaching these seniors,” Humphrey said. “It's been truly amazing watching as these student athletes have progressed as volleyball players. These girls really put in the work over the summer as they attended most open gyms that I provided four times a week. Kelly Lavelle and Lexi Mitchell have really stepped up as co-captains. I look forward to see what the future holds for the rest of the season.”
WOODMORE
Coach: Leisha Salyer (1st year)
Last season: 3-20
Who’s back: Seniors Sam McCoy (L), Sam Porter (OH), Natalie Liskai (DS), Emily Barringer (OH), Brittany Brugger (S), Meagan Smith (MH), Claudia Chavez (DS), juniors Makenzie Hoffman (MH), Lydia Liskai (OH).
Who’s gone: Erin Luckey; Allie Wellons.
Who’s new: Sophomores Jennifer Krukemyer (MH), Sam Greenhill (OH), Ashlynn Groom (OH).
Outlook: The Wildcats are building from the ground up. Salyer likes how receptive the large group of returners has been to the new coaching staff. The Wildcats have emphasized serving in preseason drills and hope to develop confidence. “We will make a step forward this year, hopefully the first of many, as we look to build a consistently competitive program from year-to-year,” Salyer said. “The team has a lot to look forward to this season.”