Harding teams seeking fine finishes
MARION — Ryan Treese’s first year as Marion Harding head volleyball coach hasn’t been the absolute best, but his team has already performed better than the 2014 squad.
Treese’s girls were 5-11 overall heading into Thursday’s action. They had already eclipsed the four-win total Harding had a year ago when the Lady Presidents were also 0-14 in Mid Ohio Athletic Conference play.
Harding has won three league matches thus far, and Treese is hoping for more.
“Our first key to success has been getting the winner’s mindset,” Treese said. “Last year is over and we are starting a new tradition of winning at Harding.
“These girls aren’t used to winning, and that is something we are working to overcome. It’s not easy with so many teams in our division that have a rich tradition of success.”
It didn’t help Harding when Olivia Davis graduated and went to play at Division II Tiffin University. Davis led the squad a year ago in kills (196), and was second in blocks, digs and serving.
But many returning letter winners have stepped up for the Lady Presidents.
Through the first of the week, senior Taylor McIntire was first in the MOAC in hitting percentage (.401) and in blocks (108) and had recorded 173 kills. Senior Alexus Holmes had tallied 137 assists.
Four other seniors have contributed greatly. They are Regan Endsley (277 assists for fourth in the MOAC), Chloe Richardson (119 kills and a league-high 36 aces), Randi Goney (90 digs), and Shelbie Howard (120 digs).
The remaining letter winners are juniors Faith McGinn (157 digs) and Shiniya Mallory (111 kills), and sophomore Natalie Steven (42 kills).
Freshman Whitney Starner has also boosted Harding’s play.
Cross country
Coaches Anna Tinnerello and Jen VanSickle lost MOAC first teamer Josh Wallace, Paige Montgomery and Allison Skinner to graduation from the Harding cross country program.
Returning letter winners who are setting their sights on the MOAC Meet on Oct. 17 at the Hartford Fairgrounds near Centerburg are juniors Phillip Nicol, Roberto Oswald, Joey Tinnerello, Aaron Hartley, Brandon Keller and Cloie Riedlinger.
Other key runners are junior Zach Lingo and freshmen Mykenzi Bays, Mia Tinnerello, Andrea Velazquez and Alexys Bell.
“Both teams have the goal of placing in the top three of the MOAC,” coach Tinnerello said.
Boys golf
Coach Chase Huddle had a mix of veterans and youth on this team this fall.
Senior Ryan Adams was the lone letter winner back for Harding.
The other team members were senior Alec Soule; juniors Damion Whiteamire and Evan Peters; and freshmen Kameron Hall and Dylon Childers.
“We were very young this year, so we were out to get better every time we played,” Huddle said.
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