The Skaneateles volleyball team has found some early competition: themselves.
The Citizen file photo
Skaneateles middle hitter Emily Wood (11) jumps for a block against Jordan-Elbridge in a volleyball match last season. Wood and the Lakers are off to a 3-0 start to the 2007 season.
Skaneateles middle hitter Emily Wood (11) jumps for a block against Jordan-Elbridge in a volleyball match last season. Wood and the Lakers are off to a 3-0 start to the 2007 season.
With a deep roster, the Lakers have more than one person who can play each position, leaving some spots up in the air.
“It keeps them on their toes,” said Skaneateles coach Doreen Doctor, who guided the Lakers to a 17-5 record and advanced to the sectional finals a year ago. “No one takes things for granted.”
Despite the balance throughout the team, the competition has remained friendly. Doctor said the girls have meshed well together and are quick to encourage each other - even if they are battling for their positions.
The Lakers are led by senior captains Krissy Ryan and Alex Hughes, a middle hitter and outside hitter, respectively. They'll be expected to shoulder much of the responsibility for a team with four seniors, four juniors and four sophomores. Hughes has already embraced that role.
“Alex is playing like a senior,” Doctor said. “Right now she's showing good leadership skills.”
So far, it's worked.
The Lakers are off to a 3-0 start, and some of that is due to the sophomores already stepping up. Ryan Merle, an outside hitter, asserted herself as a powerful threat in the Lakers#, most recent win over Jordan-Elbridge.
“The first couple of matches, she played like a sophomore,” Doctor said. “I was real pleased with the way she played (against the Eagles). “It's exciting for the girls to see, because now they know they have a nice hitter on that side and that she can contribute to the team.”
The other strength for the Lakers is size. Merle measures in at 5-foot-10, and so does sophomore Katherine Hill, to go alongside classmate Emily Wood at 5-9. The size is something Doctor hasn't seen very much on teams in the past, and she is confident it'll translate to a strong frontcourt.
These big-time players have the Lakers thinking big.
“We're pretty solid and we have some real good bench players,” Doctor said. “We'd like to get back (to the Section III title game.) That's the goal.”
Jordan-Elbridge Eagles
2006-07 record: 5-13
Top returners: Emily Longeretta (senior setter), Rachel Lopez (senior outside hitter), Carey Harvey (junior setter)
Top newcomers: Erika Peterson (junior libero), Alicia Andrianos (junior middle hitter), Jenna Shorkey (sophomore outside hitter)
Season outlook: It's been a tough road for the Eagles in the last decade. Jordan-Elbridge has a win percentage of .310 over the last nine years, but coach Jim Sherman has a speedy team this year with some hitting talent. Don't let their 0-3 start fool you - two of those losses came to top-five teams in Section III (Skaneateles, Marcellus).
Cato-Meridian Blue Devils
2006-07 record: 7-11
Top returners: Vicky Davis (senior setter), Nicole Champion (senior outside hitter)
Top newcomers: Becca Myers (junior setter), Ruth Kazulak (junior middle hitter), Megan O#,Keefe (junior middle hitter), Becca Teska (junior defensive specialist/libero)
Season outlook: First-year coach Eric Vollmer has his work cut out for him with an inexperienced squad. But that could be counteracted by the Blue Devils#, (0-1) superior group of setters in Myers and Davis.
“We're looking to gain experience and confidence with every game,” Vollmer said. “Strong teamwork and chemistry will keep us going in the right direction.”
Port Byron Panthers
2006-07 record 7-12
Top returners: Ashley Leja (outside hitter), Stephanie Van Ditto (setter) and Courtney Christina (hitter)
Season outlook: Though Erin Pitcher is a first-year varsity coach for the Panthers, she moved up from the varsity level and she is familiar with the players techniques and tendencies. Port Byron boasts several talented seniors, including Leja and Van Ditto, and the team has just one underclassman. Experience will be a plus for the team and will likely project them over .500 in a tough league.
Weedsport Warriors
2006-07 record: 12-5
Top returner: Heidi Robinson (senior setter)
Top newcomer: Lauryn Bates (sophomore setter/hitter)
Season outlook: Coach Sandy Donahue is optimistic. She knows the Warriors have the ability to be at the top of the league after advancing to the second round of sectionals a year ago. However, the squad lost two of its dominant hitters in Ryann Lamphere and Courtney White. Still, Robinson had 196 assists last season, and in addition to playing that role, she'll also step up as a middle hitter when she is in the front row. She'll be joined by senior middle hitter Chelsea Paquette and senior outside hitter Murphey Enos, looking to fill the front after a loss of height from last year's team. With a solid defense, the Warriors should be in contention at season's end.
“It keeps them on their toes,” said Skaneateles coach Doreen Doctor, who guided the Lakers to a 17-5 record and advanced to the sectional finals a year ago. “No one takes things for granted.”
Despite the balance throughout the team, the competition has remained friendly. Doctor said the girls have meshed well together and are quick to encourage each other - even if they are battling for their positions.
The Lakers are led by senior captains Krissy Ryan and Alex Hughes, a middle hitter and outside hitter, respectively. They'll be expected to shoulder much of the responsibility for a team with four seniors, four juniors and four sophomores. Hughes has already embraced that role.
“Alex is playing like a senior,” Doctor said. “Right now she's showing good leadership skills.”
So far, it's worked.
The Lakers are off to a 3-0 start, and some of that is due to the sophomores already stepping up. Ryan Merle, an outside hitter, asserted herself as a powerful threat in the Lakers#, most recent win over Jordan-Elbridge.
“The first couple of matches, she played like a sophomore,” Doctor said. “I was real pleased with the way she played (against the Eagles). “It's exciting for the girls to see, because now they know they have a nice hitter on that side and that she can contribute to the team.”
The other strength for the Lakers is size. Merle measures in at 5-foot-10, and so does sophomore Katherine Hill, to go alongside classmate Emily Wood at 5-9. The size is something Doctor hasn't seen very much on teams in the past, and she is confident it'll translate to a strong frontcourt.
These big-time players have the Lakers thinking big.
“We're pretty solid and we have some real good bench players,” Doctor said. “We'd like to get back (to the Section III title game.) That's the goal.”
Jordan-Elbridge Eagles
2006-07 record: 5-13
Top returners: Emily Longeretta (senior setter), Rachel Lopez (senior outside hitter), Carey Harvey (junior setter)
Top newcomers: Erika Peterson (junior libero), Alicia Andrianos (junior middle hitter), Jenna Shorkey (sophomore outside hitter)
Season outlook: It's been a tough road for the Eagles in the last decade. Jordan-Elbridge has a win percentage of .310 over the last nine years, but coach Jim Sherman has a speedy team this year with some hitting talent. Don't let their 0-3 start fool you - two of those losses came to top-five teams in Section III (Skaneateles, Marcellus).
Cato-Meridian Blue Devils
2006-07 record: 7-11
Top returners: Vicky Davis (senior setter), Nicole Champion (senior outside hitter)
Top newcomers: Becca Myers (junior setter), Ruth Kazulak (junior middle hitter), Megan O#,Keefe (junior middle hitter), Becca Teska (junior defensive specialist/libero)
Season outlook: First-year coach Eric Vollmer has his work cut out for him with an inexperienced squad. But that could be counteracted by the Blue Devils#, (0-1) superior group of setters in Myers and Davis.
“We're looking to gain experience and confidence with every game,” Vollmer said. “Strong teamwork and chemistry will keep us going in the right direction.”
Port Byron Panthers
2006-07 record 7-12
Top returners: Ashley Leja (outside hitter), Stephanie Van Ditto (setter) and Courtney Christina (hitter)
Season outlook: Though Erin Pitcher is a first-year varsity coach for the Panthers, she moved up from the varsity level and she is familiar with the players techniques and tendencies. Port Byron boasts several talented seniors, including Leja and Van Ditto, and the team has just one underclassman. Experience will be a plus for the team and will likely project them over .500 in a tough league.
Weedsport Warriors
2006-07 record: 12-5
Top returner: Heidi Robinson (senior setter)
Top newcomer: Lauryn Bates (sophomore setter/hitter)
Season outlook: Coach Sandy Donahue is optimistic. She knows the Warriors have the ability to be at the top of the league after advancing to the second round of sectionals a year ago. However, the squad lost two of its dominant hitters in Ryann Lamphere and Courtney White. Still, Robinson had 196 assists last season, and in addition to playing that role, she'll also step up as a middle hitter when she is in the front row. She'll be joined by senior middle hitter Chelsea Paquette and senior outside hitter Murphey Enos, looking to fill the front after a loss of height from last year's team. With a solid defense, the Warriors should be in contention at season's end.
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