The 2019 Lady Cats’ varsity volleyball team is pictured from the left, front row, Jordyn Hoffman, Grason Ingles, Gabby Ziegler, Cambria Skaggs, Brycelyn Deickert, Kayla Sedgwick and Emma Lindsey; second row, Grace Brandt, coach Sydney Parrott, Sydney Bacon, head coach Peg Curts, Journey Blevins and coach Colleen Faber.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
The Lady Cats of North Union volleyball squad had a big year last season, winning a conference title in their first season in the Central Buckeye Conference.
It was also the first conference volleyball title for NU in more than 20 years.
The crown came on the backs of a senior-heavy squad that will be missed this season, according to head coach Peg Curts.
“We graduated five seniors last year, in which those individuals had ample playing time,” she said. “Although it’s never easy to say goodbye to them, we have been able to fill those spots with some players who were juniors last year, plus a transfer player coming in from New York.”
Despite the losses, Curts believes this year’s team has versatility on its side to help them win games.
“The girls are really versatile in their positions,” she said. “It is going to allow us more options on offense and defense, dependent upon our opponent.
“We also have the ability to change this if needed to better our overall game.”
This versatility is coming from those players who laid in wait last season for their chance to take over the starting roles.
Returning to the front line for the Lady Cats will be Journey Blevins. She was the league leader in both kills and blocks last year and will be a major part of North Union’s offense and defense.
Helping her on the front line will be Grace Brandt, who provides some blocking capabilities to the Lady Cats.
Gabby Zeigler, is a transfer to the team, coming from New York. She is contributing outside hitting power for the Lady Cats, according to Curts.
Setting responsibilities will fall on Jordyn Hoffman and Grason Ingles, while Kayla Sedgwick will take over the lebaro position.
With the new crew and a CBC title under their belts, Curts believes the second year in the new conference will tougher without the element of the unknown on their side.
“Going into the CBC last year and not having any preconceived notions of our competitors, I feel, was a huge advantage to us,” Curts said. “Also, as the coach, I felt like our competition in the CBC was definitely more balanced than the MOAC.
“That being said, I felt like every match was a true battle for the victory.”
Coming in as the defending champions, Curts said her team isn’t going to underestimate any of their opponents.
“We do have an idea this year of which schools are the heavier hitters, but we will not overlook any school,” she said. “We have to earn every victory that we gain.”
The bar is not only set high for the regular season for the hard-hitting Lady Cats, but also into the post season.
Last year, the Lady Cats were able to advance to the district semifinals before their season ended.
This year’s team has higher ambitions.
“We want to do as well as last year and the team has set their goal to get deeper in tournament action than ever before,” Curts said.
In the meantime, the Lady Cats must first find their role on the team while using their versatility to stay a step ahead of the rest of the CBC.