The 2019 Lady Pioneer volleyball team is pictured from left, front row, McKenzie Wright, Kyli Ricker, Kennady Izzard and Alexa Kaitenbach; second row, Kate Stroupe, Ellie Heisler, Lauren Howell, Emma Shepherd, Lizzie Lombardi and Ellen Lombardi; third row, coach Allyson Bolton, Joden Phelps, Ava Francis, Hannah Beach, Gracie Nees and coach Joe Ross.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
There is a new coach in charge of the Jonathan Alder girls volleyball program this fall.
Joe Ross, who previously served as girls head coach (and boys assistant coach) at Hilliard Darby High School, inherits a program that won a Division II district championship and tied with Kenton Ridge for the Central Buckeye Conference Kenton Trail Division crown in 2018.
Returning lettermen for the Lady Pioneers (22-5), include seniors McKenzie Wright (setter) and Kyli Ricker (defensive specialist) and juniors Ava Francis and Emma Shepherd, both of whom are outside hitters.
There are several players who have moved up the ranks to the varsity this season.
They include juniors Kennady Izzard (defensive specialist), Ellen Kennedy (defensive specialist), Grace Nees (middle hitter), Kate Stroup (right-side hitter) and defensive specialist Alexa Kaltenbach.
Sophomores on the varsity roster include middle hitter Jaden Phelps, setter Lauren Howell and outside hitter Ellie Heisler.
“Jonathan Alder had a lot of seniors last year,” said Ross. “We are going to be junior-heavy this season, but the best thing is that the girls have played together since grade school.
“We have very good team chemistry.”
The Lady Pioneers will be strong at the net, featuring Francis, who has already committed to play on the collegiate level at the University of Arizona.
Shepherd and the younger hitters will also be counted on for strength up top of the formation.
Ross said about the only concern he has is becoming familiar with high school teams in the CBC.
He spent the 2018 campaign as an assistant coach at Wittenberg University.
“I know that Kenton Ridge has a great program and London has a good, strong group of players,” said Ross. “We will also play Benjamin Logan and Graham (from the Mad River Division) in cross-over games.
“They always have strong teams.”
The new coach said members of the team have adapted well during the summer and preseason to the coaching change.
“Every one here at Jonathan Alder has been very supportive,” he said.
Ross said he doesn’t have specific goals for his first season at the Lady Pioneer helm.
“We’re never going to be the tallest team on the court in any of our matches,” he said. “The girls, though, are very tenacious and our focus this season is going to be on what we can control.
“We want to get better every day and we have the opportunity to be as good as anybody on the court night in and night out.”