By Terry Duckett, tduckett@qconline.com
Despite the loss of several highly talented seniors to graduation, Riverdale volleyball coach Lisa Black still feels her club has what it takes to rise to the top of the Three Rivers Conference in 2009.
Having finished one game behind Erie in last year's TRAC-8 title chase, the Rams return six letterwinners from their 2008 roster, a group led by junior middle hitter Mallory Gibson and setter Lauren Johnson, although losing such standouts as Megan Gibson, Emma Vandercar, Maureen Robinson and Kelli McCormick won't make things easy for Black's squad.
"I think we definitely have some strong assets this year. We're just a little young,'' she said. "Next year would definitely be our year, with all of the sophomores that will be coming up. But as for this season, I feel we're consistent at all positions and have a lot more variety. We can go to a lot more people, not just Meg (Gibson). That makes us an even stronger team with a lot more weapons, but everyone has to do their part.
"The dedication of the players in our program, the work they've put in through club volleyball and throughout the offseason helps us. Some of the other (TRAC-8)programs lost a lot of players from last year, but Fulton returns some solid players. Isee it being between us and them.''
Led by nine returning veterans, coach Stacy Germann's Fulton Steamers do have the tools for a Three Rivers title run, and hope to move up from last year's .500 league finish during a season marked by numerous close losses.
"This year, we realize we've got to pull those wins out,'' said Germann. "We had some people get hurt last year, so for the first fourth of the season, we had to rearrange things, constantly move things around until our injured people got back. The kids have been in their positions for awhile now, which hopefully gives us the edge we didn't have last year.''
As for defending conference champion Erie, the Cardinals not only have a new coach -- Erie alum Chelsea Jaquet replaces longtime head man Tom Rickels -- but were hit hard by graduation, counting among their losses such standouts as hitter Sydney Stewart, setter Claire Black and libero Kortney Minge. A nucleus of eight returning letterwinners is cause for continued optimism, though.
"I'm looking forward to the season, as are the girls, and we're ready to take all of our practice time and apply it to game situations against our opponents,'' said Jaquet, who inherits a club that won its first regional title in 21 years last fall. "We are looking to rebuild after last year's success, with a lot of the girls who played having graduated, but Ihave a great groupof returning girls who were a part of the team last year and are looking to carry on as conference champions.''
Prophetstown, which won 21 matches and finished third in the league in a breakout season for its volleyball program, was hit even harder by graduation, losing such stars as hitter Taylor Gallentine, setter Carly Koehler and back-row specialist Malea Balico. Lady Prophet coach Tara Johnson faces the task of retooling with a youthful roster.
"We're just trying to put it all together,'' she said. "We graduated so many strong players, but this year's squad is trying to hold on to what last year's seniors started. They have the work ethic and the ability to play as hard as they can.''
Perennial contender Bureau Valley also has title aspirations with seven returning seniors to lead the way for the Storm. "This is a team with a lot of talent,'' said BV coach Vicki Litherland, "a team that will get better as the season goes on.''
Three Rivers Conference volleyball capsules
Bureau Valley Storm
Coach: Vicki Litherland (8th year).
2008: 17-16 (8-6 TRAC-8). Lost 25-23, 25-23 to Mendota in the Class 2A Mendota Regional finals.
Returning letterwinners -- Srs.: Lauren Hasbrook (OH), Melanie Thompson (OH), Gabby Fisch (MH), Grace Dale (MH/OH), Meghan Mussche (BR), Cely Osorio (BR), Amy Linder (BR).
Newcomers -- Jrs.: Sam Shepard (S), Aubrey Franklin (MH), Jamie Jacobson (OH), Jessie Jacobson (OH), Danielle Miller (MH), Ali Brokaw (DS), Laura Brummel (DS), Anna Phillips (DS).
Erie Cardinals
Coach: Chelsea Jaquet (1st year).
2008: 24-11 (11-3 TRAC-8, 1st place). Lost 25-12, 25-9 to Lanark Eastland in the Class 1A Polo Sectional semifinals.
Returning letterwinners -- Srs.: Monica Blair (S/DS), Katelyn Garrison (OH), Hilary Graham (DS/OH), Alex Howard (S/OH), Alex Hunter (MH), Taylor Ryan (OH), Jessica Unruh (OH/DS). Jr.: Kara Snowden (MH/OH).
Newcomers -- Sr.: Katie Morrison (MH/OH). Jrs.: Jordan Achs (MH), Shelby Howard (OH), Samantha Johnston (MH/OH). Soph.: Tess Burns (S/OH).
Fulton Steamers
Coach: Stacy Germann (15th year).
2008: 17-18 (7-7 TRAC-8). Lost 25-23, 24-26, 25-22 to Erie in the Class 1A LaMoille Regional semifinals.
Returning letterwinners -- Srs.: Lindsey Renkes (MH), Allison DeWeerdt (S), Kelsey Munck (OH), Kim Rogis (Libero), Kari Kuehl (DS). Jrs.: Lydia Schaver (S), Liz Sanquist (OH), Paige Sanquist (RSH), Amber Grant (MH).
Newcomers -- Sr.: Stephanie Adams (DS). Jr.: Erica Bielema (DS/S).
Morrison Fillies
Coach: Jennifer Medenblik (1st year).
2008: 7-21-1 (3-11 TRAC-8). Lost 25-13, 25-12 to Oregon in the Class 2A Sterling Newman Regional semifinals.
Returning letterwinners -- Srs.: Shelby McBride (S), Keisha Hodge (DS), Katie Browning (DS), Erin Carney (OH), Mariah Naftzger (OH), Anna Robertson (MH), Ashley Ruchztke (DS), Ashley Vegter (DS), Ashlyn Wieneke (S). Jr.: Danielle Stralow (OH).
Prophetstown Lady Prophets
Coach: Tara Johnson (6th year).
2008: 21-11-1 (9-5 TRAC-8). Lost 25-23, 20-25, 25-23 to Ashton-Franklin Center in the Class 1A LaMoille Regional semifinals.
Returning letterwinners -- Srs.: Stephanie Patton (RSH), Meagon Willhite (DS). Jr.: Kelsie Stafford (MH).
Newcomers -- Srs.: Ariel Hamstra (MH), Jacy Woodworth (DS). Jrs.: Ida Koehler (S), Danielle Nixon (MH), Annie Bauer (DS), Stacy Stewart (OH). Soph.: Desiree Adams (OH).
Riverdale Rams
Coach: Lisa Black (3rd year).
2008: 25-9-2 (10-4 TRAC-8). Lost 25-13, 14-25, 25-22 to Rockridge in the Class 2A Sherrard Regional finals.
Returning letterwinners -- Srs.: Jasmine Chavez (OH), Lauren Johnson (S). Jrs.: Lauren Gonyier (OH), Lauren Ickes (MH), Mallory Gibson (MH). Soph.: Kayla Kenady (S/RSH).
Newcomers -- Jrs.: Tori Groves (DS), Jessica Alexander (OH), Victoria May (S/RSH). Soph.: Olivia Glaudel (Libero).