The Lady Pioneers varsity volleyball squad is pictured from left, front row, Paige Jestadt, Addison Schumacher, Lizzie Lombardi, Alahna Levasseuer and Renci Ricker; second row, Mia Wilson, Ellie Heisler, Olivia Crabtree, Emma Ismael, Lauren Howell and Jaden Phelps; back row, Olivia Ishmael, coach Allyson Bolton, head coach Joe Ross, coach Kara Seidenstricker and Hannah Beach. Not pictured, Olivia Zuro. (Photo submitted)
Jonathan Alder’s varsity volleyball squad lost a number of key players from last year’s team.
The Lady Pioneers won the Central Buckeye Conference championship and advanced to Division II district and regional crowns.
They lost in the state semifinals to Notre Dame Cathedral Latin and finished with a 22-1 record.
Coach Joe Ross, however, has solid lettermen back for the 2021 campaign.
They include the following seniors:
-Hannah Beach (middle blocker), defensive specialists Ellie Heisler and Renci Ricker, setter and outside hitter Lizzie Lombardi and outside hitters Jaden Phelps and Olivia Zuro.
Junior lettermen are outside hitter Olivia Crabtree and middle blocker Olivia Ishmael.
“We have nine returning lettermen,” said Ross. “They have the experience of what it took to experience the season we did last year.”
Newcomers to the varsity roster include junior middle blockers Alahna Levasseur and Mia Wilson, sophomores Paige Jestadt (defensive specialist) and Emma Ishmael (outside hitter) and freshman outside hitter Addison Schumacher.
While the Lady Pioneers have a good deal of experience, there are a couple of areas for concern heading into the 2021 campaign.
“At the highest levels, this is a serve and passing game,” said Ross. “Serve reception is where we graduated the most last year.
“Our new passers are excited to take on this challenge.”
Ross knows the Lady Pioneers have a huge target on their backs when it comes to the conference.
“I think our track record the past few seasons means we will get everyone’s best shot in conference play,” he said. “I have a lot of respect for the other coaches on our side of the CBC.
“I think you will see a very competitive line of matches all season long,” said the Alder coach.
Although Jonathan Alder’s spikers have dominated the Kenton Trail Division of the CBC for several years, Ross isn’t really thinking too far ahead.
“Our mantra at the end of our summer workouts was ‘let’s do the difficult things with great enthusiasm with our teammates,’” he said. “Our goal is one day at a time.”