RETURNING TO PROMINENCE: No. 12: Tompkins Falcons dead-set on going back to State
The stars of 2024-25 Tompkins Volleyball
NO. 12 -- TOMPKINS FALCONS
Head Coach: Allison Merrell
2023: 30-10/Regional Quarterfinalists
WITH THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE VARSITY SQUAD RETURNING FOR 12TH-YEAR COACH ALLISON MERRELL AT TOMPKINS, THE FALCONS WILL UNDOUBTEDLY BE A TEAM TO CONTEND WITH.
In 2023, this squad went 30-10 overall and reached the third round of the playoffs.
Libero Brooklynn Merrell (496 digs, 102 service aces) is back after being named the District 19-6A Defensive Player of the Year and was an All-State selection as a junior. First-teamers including setter Caelyn Dumas (468 assists, 281 kills, 255 digs) and middle blocker Callie Funk (217 kills) also return.
Others to watch include second-team, all-district outside hitter Christin Cowart (343 kills) and honorable mention pick middle blocker Simi Elliott (116 kills, 68 blocks) are all returning to the huddle for 2024. Dumas is verbally committed to Marist College, while Elliott is verbally committed to Brown University.
According to Merrell, the keys to their success in 2024 will be their defense and blocking. This group is not far removed from the UIL-6A State Tournament in the 2022-23 season.
Could this be the year they make it back?
