No Surprise Frontier League Knows The East Valley Netters Are Force To Reckon With
Frontier volleyball
East Valley’s volleyball team, which last year snuck up on the Frontier League then defeated Clarkston to qualify for state, won’t catch anyone by surprise this year.
But because all but four players, albeit key ones, are back, the Knights will be considered among the championship favorites in a potentially wide-open league.
“The whole league is young, even East Valley, which has the upper hand,” said West Valley’s first-year coach Carol Preston. “I don’t feel like anybody has any advantage.” The Knights bring back 11 letter winners.
“We lost three very intimidating kids at the net. That is one thing I worry about,” said second-year EV coach Jim Dorr. “But some young kids have come through. I think we’ll be O.K.”
The fact the Frontier League gets two teams at state, unlike last year, gives the Knights some margin for error.
Knights build around veteran trio
Three players with substantial experience anchor a Knight team which has gone to a quick set offense.
Junior outside hitter Deb Asbury was a firstteam all-leaguer. Senior Jennifer Tilton and junior Jenny Kann are veteran setters.
“It’s a nice thing to have two experienced setters,” said Dorr. “They’ve gained so much confidence.”
They head a young team, exhibiting loads of potential.
Also lettering were outside hitters Lescia Myers and Tessa Neal, who played sparingly, middles Christie Grochowski and senior Nicole Griffith who will be asked to replace the graduated net trio.
“Christie’s worst thing was she played behind two great seniors,” said Dorr. “When she played in an emergency, she was the star of the game and her reward was to sit down.”
Grochowski, he said, is an outstanding athlete.
Griffith underwent knee surgery and missed much of last year, but came back ready to go.
Senior Vicki Welter and Jaynee Boisen are other varsity returnees. Athletic sophomore Rebecca Triplett, juniors Tricia Stookey and Kristin Holleran complete the lineup.
“We’re extremely experienced,” said Dorr. “I think we should finish among the top three without any doubt in my mind.”
Everyone’s new at West Valley
Preston’s first varsity coaching position is with a team that has only one senior in its 10-player roster.
The new coach said she’s cautiously optimistic despite her team’s youth.
“We’re not going to wait for next year,” she said.
Lone senior Amber McConnell will be the team’s setter to start. Other varsity veterans, juniors Chantelle Frost, Cameron Ouellette and Rachelle Watson provide WV with its size and front row power.
“I don’t ever want Chantelle or Rachelle to leave the floor,” said Preston. “Cameron is the third key for us.”
Remaining team members are outside hitters Sarah Allen, Sarah Collins, Erica Mortensen and defensive specialists Rachel Kiblen, Jolee Karr and Kari Aquino.
“I have to figure out if we can play defense and pass,” said the upbeat Preston. “The majority of the team went to camp and improved, which we needed desperately.”
Except for doing the detail work which, as a junior varsity coach she didn’t have to do, Preston said the transition to varsity has been smooth.
“I’ve coached everyone before, whether in freshman softball or jayvee volleyball,” she said. “There’s not that awkward time getting to know each other. They’re used to me.”
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