Local Spikers Looking For Big Season
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
With the volleyball season in its infant stages, three local teams look to have big seasons.
Tippecanoe Valley, Warsaw and Wawasee all look to compete in their conferences and make waves in the postseason. Valley, who just added Warsaw and will play them at the end of the regular season, looks to build from a successful 21-9 season. They also hope to avenge a loss to Elmhurst, which upset the Vikings in last years sectional. Elmhurst came into the sectional with the worst record of all the teams and came away with the sectional crown.
For head coach John Hutton, enthusiasm abounds.
"We're excited. We're looking forward to playing bigger schools. And try and build our reputation in the state. Were working on the same program as last year, an aggressive tempo of attacks, basically just solid volleyball."
So far, so good. The Vikings are 3-0 heading into tonight's match against Wabash.
Despite the losses of Beth Leckrone, Heather Ramsey and Abby Shafer, Hutton looks for his senior leadership to shine through.
"We have five seniors starting and I've never had that before, so we're looking forward to having a lot of cohesiveness and being successful."
Amanda Wiley, Lindsay Wiley, Heather Rathbun, Holli Jackson and Lisa Moore are the seniors who are charged with taking the reins alongside Hutton and his staff, which includes first-year assistant Jennifer Studebaker. Studebaker spent the past four years at Manchester College, where she played volleyball.
Hutton's goals for this year's team are big but with the talent displayed thus far, quite possible.
"My main goal is to always play as well as we can with the players we have and the program at this moment. I think one of the main goals is sectional along with competing in the top of our conference. It would be a first in the Valley program to win the conference," Hutton said.
In the NLC, the preseason pundits have Elkhart Memorial and Concord as the teams to beat. Warsaw and Wawasee look to play spoiler. For the Tigers, it comes down to a total team effort and that's what coach Mike West is pushing.
"We're definitely going to need a team chemistry and everybody pulling together. That's something that's yet to be determined. We're going to have to work on that and the seniors will have to give leadership. Provided we have good team chemistry and everyone knows and understands their role and can make a maximum contribution in their role, we're going to have a very good team and have high hopes," said West.
Kara Mayer, Cynthia Park, Cheyenne Runnells, Rebekah Reichard are seniors who will have to lead. Warsaw lost just two seniors from last year's team in Michelle DeGeeter and Heather Barrett. Both DeGeeter and Barrett, however, played integral roles in the Tigers regional appearance last year.
For those varsity players who returned, nothing beats the experience of varsity play.
"Last year we were a much younger team. That year of maturity and strength and experience should really pay off for us," said West.
West is adamant about not singling out players, not because there aren't any deserving, but because of the number of good players on this team.
"We have so many good players, they're working hard, they're determining their roles on the team. I just want to emphasize teamwork and the fact that we have depth and good athletic ability. And I'd like to just go from there," he said.
Warsaw, 3-3 thus far, head to Elkhart to open NLC play against Memorial.
For Wawasee, the early season road has been a bit of a rocky one. Don't expect that to faze coach Amy Miller. The Concord alum expects big things from this year's team that is loaded with seven seniors. Jen Minear, Andra Aaron, Kasey Bollier along with sophomore Jessie Wolf have been productive for the Warriors thus far.
Right now Miller is looking to build a program at a school that isn't known for volleyball. This spring Miller is starting a fourth- and fifth-grade program, which has never been done at Wawasee.
The Wawasee faithful hope a deep postseason run makes that program a lot more popular.
One strength for the Warriors will be their hitters.
"We have so many good hitters that one doesn't stand out. That's what's going to be strong for us this year," said Miller.
Wawasee has gotten off to a rough start thus far going 1-3, but look for another win against Bethany Christian tonight in Goshen.
For Miller, she's put her faith in the players' faith in themselves.
"The girls believe in themselves, and we'll see how far that takes us."
AREA PREP VOLLEY PREVIEW CAPSULES
MANCHESTER SQUIRES
Head coach/years - Mike West/fifth
2003 record/postseason result - 5-23, lost in sectional to Wabash
Key losses - Erin Huntington, Haylie Wilcox
Returning - Krista Peden, Janessa Rens, Brittany Pratus, Whitney Woods
West - "I think the girls can be competitive as they want to be. We're anxious to start. I think .500 is not our of reach.
TIPPECANOE VALLEY VIKINGS
Head Coach/years - Jon Hutton/4th
2003 record/postseason result - 21-9, lost in sectional to Elmhurst
Key losses - Beth Leckrone, Heather Ramsey, Abby Shafer
Returning - Heather Rathbun, Amanda Wiley, Lindsay Wiley, Holli Jackson, Lisa Moore
Hutton - "We have five seniors starting and I've never had that before so we're looking forward to having a lot of cohesiveness and being successful."
TRITON TROJANS
Head coach/years - Gayle Perry/18th
2003 record/postseason result - 27-13, lost to Michigan City Marquette in sectional final
Key losses - Terrin Meister, Carly Feldman, Amber Mellott
Returning - Bethany Clemens, Brittany Cook, Dawn Ganshorn
Perry - "We lost a lot of seniors from last year so we're very young. We only have seven upperclassmen and 12 freshmen out. So we expect to get a little bit better each match. They're ahead of where I thought they'd be."
WARSAW TIGERS
Head Coach/years - Doug West/fifth
2003 record/postseason result - lost to Snider in regional semifinal
Key losses - Michelle DeGeeter, Heather Barrett
Returning - Kara Mayer, Cynthia Park, Cheyenne Runnells, Rebekah Reichard
West - "We're definitely going to need a team chemistry this year. The seniors will definitely have to give leadership to help that chemistry."
WAWASEE WARRIORS
Head Coach/years - Amy Miller/third
2003 record/postseason result - 17-16, lost to Northridge in sectional final
Key losses - Keri Cook
Returning - Andra Aaron, Kasey Bollier, Claire List, Jen Minear, Cecilia Shoemaker, Tarina Sorensen, Cheryl Thomas
Miller - "The girls believe in themselves and we'll see how far that takes us."
WHITKO WILDCATS
Head Coach/years - Brett Livers/1st
2003 record/postseason result - 6-27
Key losses - NA
Returning - Leah Winger, Jacki Arnett, Amanda Bouse
Livers - "We got off to a late start this year. I was brought in at the end of the summer. We serve the ball really well and we take care of the ball. We're a lot better team than our players expected to be." [[In-content Ad]]
With the volleyball season in its infant stages, three local teams look to have big seasons.
Tippecanoe Valley, Warsaw and Wawasee all look to compete in their conferences and make waves in the postseason. Valley, who just added Warsaw and will play them at the end of the regular season, looks to build from a successful 21-9 season. They also hope to avenge a loss to Elmhurst, which upset the Vikings in last years sectional. Elmhurst came into the sectional with the worst record of all the teams and came away with the sectional crown.
For head coach John Hutton, enthusiasm abounds.
"We're excited. We're looking forward to playing bigger schools. And try and build our reputation in the state. Were working on the same program as last year, an aggressive tempo of attacks, basically just solid volleyball."
So far, so good. The Vikings are 3-0 heading into tonight's match against Wabash.
Despite the losses of Beth Leckrone, Heather Ramsey and Abby Shafer, Hutton looks for his senior leadership to shine through.
"We have five seniors starting and I've never had that before, so we're looking forward to having a lot of cohesiveness and being successful."
Amanda Wiley, Lindsay Wiley, Heather Rathbun, Holli Jackson and Lisa Moore are the seniors who are charged with taking the reins alongside Hutton and his staff, which includes first-year assistant Jennifer Studebaker. Studebaker spent the past four years at Manchester College, where she played volleyball.
Hutton's goals for this year's team are big but with the talent displayed thus far, quite possible.
"My main goal is to always play as well as we can with the players we have and the program at this moment. I think one of the main goals is sectional along with competing in the top of our conference. It would be a first in the Valley program to win the conference," Hutton said.
In the NLC, the preseason pundits have Elkhart Memorial and Concord as the teams to beat. Warsaw and Wawasee look to play spoiler. For the Tigers, it comes down to a total team effort and that's what coach Mike West is pushing.
"We're definitely going to need a team chemistry and everybody pulling together. That's something that's yet to be determined. We're going to have to work on that and the seniors will have to give leadership. Provided we have good team chemistry and everyone knows and understands their role and can make a maximum contribution in their role, we're going to have a very good team and have high hopes," said West.
Kara Mayer, Cynthia Park, Cheyenne Runnells, Rebekah Reichard are seniors who will have to lead. Warsaw lost just two seniors from last year's team in Michelle DeGeeter and Heather Barrett. Both DeGeeter and Barrett, however, played integral roles in the Tigers regional appearance last year.
For those varsity players who returned, nothing beats the experience of varsity play.
"Last year we were a much younger team. That year of maturity and strength and experience should really pay off for us," said West.
West is adamant about not singling out players, not because there aren't any deserving, but because of the number of good players on this team.
"We have so many good players, they're working hard, they're determining their roles on the team. I just want to emphasize teamwork and the fact that we have depth and good athletic ability. And I'd like to just go from there," he said.
Warsaw, 3-3 thus far, head to Elkhart to open NLC play against Memorial.
For Wawasee, the early season road has been a bit of a rocky one. Don't expect that to faze coach Amy Miller. The Concord alum expects big things from this year's team that is loaded with seven seniors. Jen Minear, Andra Aaron, Kasey Bollier along with sophomore Jessie Wolf have been productive for the Warriors thus far.
Right now Miller is looking to build a program at a school that isn't known for volleyball. This spring Miller is starting a fourth- and fifth-grade program, which has never been done at Wawasee.
The Wawasee faithful hope a deep postseason run makes that program a lot more popular.
One strength for the Warriors will be their hitters.
"We have so many good hitters that one doesn't stand out. That's what's going to be strong for us this year," said Miller.
Wawasee has gotten off to a rough start thus far going 1-3, but look for another win against Bethany Christian tonight in Goshen.
For Miller, she's put her faith in the players' faith in themselves.
"The girls believe in themselves, and we'll see how far that takes us."
AREA PREP VOLLEY PREVIEW CAPSULES
MANCHESTER SQUIRES
Head coach/years - Mike West/fifth
2003 record/postseason result - 5-23, lost in sectional to Wabash
Key losses - Erin Huntington, Haylie Wilcox
Returning - Krista Peden, Janessa Rens, Brittany Pratus, Whitney Woods
West - "I think the girls can be competitive as they want to be. We're anxious to start. I think .500 is not our of reach.
TIPPECANOE VALLEY VIKINGS
Head Coach/years - Jon Hutton/4th
2003 record/postseason result - 21-9, lost in sectional to Elmhurst
Key losses - Beth Leckrone, Heather Ramsey, Abby Shafer
Returning - Heather Rathbun, Amanda Wiley, Lindsay Wiley, Holli Jackson, Lisa Moore
Hutton - "We have five seniors starting and I've never had that before so we're looking forward to having a lot of cohesiveness and being successful."
TRITON TROJANS
Head coach/years - Gayle Perry/18th
2003 record/postseason result - 27-13, lost to Michigan City Marquette in sectional final
Key losses - Terrin Meister, Carly Feldman, Amber Mellott
Returning - Bethany Clemens, Brittany Cook, Dawn Ganshorn
Perry - "We lost a lot of seniors from last year so we're very young. We only have seven upperclassmen and 12 freshmen out. So we expect to get a little bit better each match. They're ahead of where I thought they'd be."
WARSAW TIGERS
Head Coach/years - Doug West/fifth
2003 record/postseason result - lost to Snider in regional semifinal
Key losses - Michelle DeGeeter, Heather Barrett
Returning - Kara Mayer, Cynthia Park, Cheyenne Runnells, Rebekah Reichard
West - "We're definitely going to need a team chemistry this year. The seniors will definitely have to give leadership to help that chemistry."
WAWASEE WARRIORS
Head Coach/years - Amy Miller/third
2003 record/postseason result - 17-16, lost to Northridge in sectional final
Key losses - Keri Cook
Returning - Andra Aaron, Kasey Bollier, Claire List, Jen Minear, Cecilia Shoemaker, Tarina Sorensen, Cheryl Thomas
Miller - "The girls believe in themselves and we'll see how far that takes us."
WHITKO WILDCATS
Head Coach/years - Brett Livers/1st
2003 record/postseason result - 6-27
Key losses - NA
Returning - Leah Winger, Jacki Arnett, Amanda Bouse
Livers - "We got off to a late start this year. I was brought in at the end of the summer. We serve the ball really well and we take care of the ball. We're a lot better team than our players expected to be." [[In-content Ad]]