The Lady Monarch varsity volleyball squad is pictured from left, front row, Morgan Shick, Ella Hansen, Megan Melish, Callie Noren, Allie Anderson, Peyton Ingle and Maddie Busch; back row, Rylee Dundon, Larissa Smith, Alyssa Codner, Madison Fluharty, Carys Gossett, Sarah Peterson, Jilllian Gardner and head coach Bethany Bentz. Not pictured, assistant coach Sam Norton. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
The Lady Monarch volleyball squad has a number of veterans returning from a team that placed fourth in the Ohio Capital Conference Central Division during the 2019 campaign.
Returning lettermen include setters Sarah Peterson and Peyton Ingle; libero Morgan Schick; middle blockers Larissa Smith and Carys Gossett; defensive specialists Maddie Busch and Megan Melish; outside hitters Alyssa Codner and Madison Fluharty; and right-side hitter Jillian Gardner.
Newcomers to the squad are outside hitter Rylee Hitter; defensive specialist Allie Anderson; outside hitter-defensive specialist Ella Hansen and outside hitter Callie Noren.
Strengths of the team, according to head coach Bethany Bentz, are experience, team chemistry and a solid work ethic.
“We also have fierce hitting at all positions,” said the coach.
The Lady Monarchs have size upfront with several players standing over six feet tall.
There is also versatility among the ranks.
“The majority of our players are able to man multiple positions,” said Bentz.
The OCC has undergone realignment for the 2020-21 school year.
As such, the Lady Monarchs have moved into the Cardinal Division, which features teams such as Hilliard Darby, Dublin Jerome, Big Walnut, Thomas Worthington, Olentangy and Olentangy Berlin.
“With it being a new division, it’s hard to say which team will be at the top,” said the Lady Monarch coach. “However, I believe we will have the opportunity to compete for the No. 1 position.
“That is a very exciting idea,” she said.
Bentz said the Lady Monarchs have several goals for the upcoming campaign.
“We want to live our process,” she said. “That means stay humbly hungry, improve by 1% each time we step on the court, control what we can control and compete, compete, compete.”
Marysville’s junior varsity volleyball team is pictured from left, front row, Alivia Codner, Bella Fox, Katie Palmer, Abby Seibers, Jordyn Ledley and Jenna Reihle; back row, coach Rick DeSutter, Ella Morris, Sophie Little, Abby Altizer; Amelia Alexander, Caitin Rigel andNatalie McNicholas. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
Members of Marysville’s freshman volleyball team are from left, front row, Kyler Torres, Kennedy Yurkovich, Olivia Kroft, Elley Channell, Tiarah Turner and Elle Martter; back row, coach Abby Clair, Paige Sandy, Lauren Eizensmits, Breanna Simpkins, Faith Garrison, Abby Stinemetz, Maddie French and Selina Hinds. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)