Small School Mid-Season Volleyball Report

Subtitle: Class 2A Berean Academy-Elbing (22-17) Berean Academy is recovering from a fatal auto accident last spring in which one player was killed. Coach Amy Vogt called two other players' recoveries from the accident miraculous. The two, now sophomores, have taken their place back on the court, offering inspiration for a new season. After the loss of nine seniors, Vogt has three returning letter winners, including senior Kayla Eilert (5-6), who was honorable mention all-state last fall and led Berean in kills. Juniors Tiffany Veer (5-7) and Janelle Rust (5-10) also returned this fall. Despite the difficult circumstances, Berean hopes to return to state. -JP Central-Burden (17-14) In her third season at Central, coach Melissa Atkins was trying to move on from an early 3-9 start in mid-Sept. with hopes of vying for the top in the SCBL. The turn-around will require the leadership of seniors outside hitters Ashley Wham (5-8) and Misty Teague (5-7). Atkins calls the duo instrumental and is structuring her offense around them. Central must improve its serve-receive and communication. -KM Oxford (2-29) First-year coach Stephanie Moberly took over the program this fall after graduating from Oxford in 2006. A participant in volleyball, basketball, track and cheerleading as a student, she has crossed over to the other side at her alma mater. Senior Macy Weber (5-8) and sophomore Rachel Hampton (5-7) can play any position, and setter Brittani Walters (5-4) steadies the pace of the game. -TW Pretty Prairie (17-15) Second-year coach Nicole Putnam returned five starters this fall from last season - Carly Cramton(5-10), Jenny Welker (5-7), Andrea Markel (5-7), Megan McFadden (5-10) and Jessy McCutchen (5-6). The team has lost its setter but looks to incoming sophomore Katie Graber (5-6) to take over the role. -LO Udall (13-18) First-year coach Jane Barker and her new coaching staff are working to restructure Udall volleyball. As her team adjusts to the changes, Barker will need her senior-heavy starting lineup to set a more attacking tone, becoming more aggressive at the net. They will also need to learn how to out-serve opposing teams. -KM Subtitle: Class 1A Argonia (26-11) With six players back from 2007 - sisters and outside hitters Toni (5-7) and Davi Peetoom (5-7), setter Ali Brewster (5-9), outside hitter Brooke Boatright (5-9), libero Shannon McCoy (5-2) and senior hitter Ashton Stansberry (5-10) - twelfth-year coach Dennis Dickerson has high expectations. Despite their 26-11 record last fall, Argonia did not qualify for state. Dickerson hopes to take the next step in 2008. -JP Burrton (9-20) Burrton returned five seniors this season, including all-league setter Hillary Janzen (5-3), outside hitter Mackenzie Allen (5-8) and designated specialist and outside hitter Ashley Freisen (5-5). After finishing fourth in the league and losing in the first round at regionals last year, coach Kelli Zehr hopes that Burrton's experience and the return of other seniors Amanda Meacham and Marissa King can provide a good year. -JP Caldwell (26-15) Since the ankle injury of senior setter Danae Kendrick, Caldwell's young team has been looking for a fill-in. Junior Brittnee York has stepped into the roll, flanked by senior outside hitter Amelia Ramsey and junior outside hitter Kati Lebeda. As the team matures after the loss, coach Kate Barnes is excited to watch the growth of freshman middle hitter Mary Lebeda. To finish well in the league, Caldwell will need to build its confidence and use it to finish games. -KM Central Christian (35-9) After a 35-9 season, Central Christian returned this fall as reigning league champs under the guidance of third-year coach Erin Patrick. Returning players include daughter Laura Patrick, all-state honorable mention in Class 1A as a sophomore. Setter Susan Brock and outside hitters Amy Morrison and Leigh Ann Echols are in the midst of their final season of high school play. -Staff Cunningham (11-16) Inconsistencies and an inability to finish games may have gotten Cunningham off to a weak 1-7 start in mid-Sept., but coach Nadine Hope believes that there's talent on her roster. Her junior base, which has played together for several years, is anchored by hitter and setter Ashley Albers (5-7) and hitter Kristen Fischer (5-6). Hope will also need Rachel McAdams (5-2) to set up on the back row. -KM Norwich (2-24) Norwich coach Linda Hill returned five lettered players this season; however, she has a young team with eight of her 16 girls being freshmen. But their youth will not overshadow their competitiveness, says Hill. Seniors Ashley Balzer (5-9) and Sloane Lewis (5-8) and junior hitter Paige Goebel (5-10) offer much-needed height. -JP South Haven (25-12) After two consecutive strong seasons, including a state-tournament berth in 2006, coach Tiffany Cole has only 10 players on varsity and JV. One is junior Breanna Bryant (5-7), an outstanding three-sport athlete. The sixth man on South Haven's state-title girls basketball team in 2007 as a freshman, Bryant is now a three-year varsity volleyball player and has run in the state track meet. Even though numbers are down, Cole admires her players because she has no doubts that they will keep positive attitudes and have fun. -TW Sunrise Christian Academy With his most successful season under his belt (32-11) last fall, coach Jim Goebel is in the midst of his sixth season at Sunrise. Despite not having the same height as last year the team continues to focus on defense and ball control as they look to senior outside hitter Erin Robinson (5-5), junior setter Jamie Dugan (5-5) and sophomore middle hitter Audrey Southworth (5-9). After finishing second in the Tri-State Christian tournament last year, they hope to maintain continued success. -JP Wichita Defenders The Wichita Defenders are looking to break out on top after a 16-11 record and a strong finish in its league last season. Coach Debra Smith is emphasizing drilling techniques this fall for added offensive punch. The team makes up for its lack of height with a lot of quickness. Ashley Kennedy plays a key role as setter, and Chelsea Cranda, Kendra Ammons and Hannah Cranda add depth. -Jeremy Costello