The Falcons have their eye on a return trip to the sectional finals. But they aren’t the only team with that goal in mind as the 2018 varsity volleyball season gets underway.
Niagara-Wheatfield
Coach Brandi Cochran returns five significant pieces of the puzzle that got the Falcons to the Section VI Class AA title game last year.
Senior setter Mackenzie Franks leads that cast of returning players. The Falcons return a pair of go-to-girls at outside hitter in senior Danielle Brochey and freshman Kelsey Tylec.
Seniors Jenna Sonnenberg (libero) and Katie Kostiw (middle/right side) will be key to the defense.
While another deep run is obviously the goal, rather than trying to live up to last year’s team, Cochran said the approach is to let this team write its own destiny.
“Looking too far ahead into the season will not help us succeed,” Cochran said. “Instead, I want our players to work as a collective group to meet short term goals and continue to challenge themselves throughout the season.”
North Tonawanda
The Lady Jacks are one of three teams in the NFL who will be looking towards new leadership as Katie Harrington, who spent seven years as the JV coach, now steps into the role of head varsity coach.
Harrington inherits a skilled squad led by Laney Wieclaw (outside hitter), libero Emily Anastasi and middle hitter Chase Steingasser.
Lockport
With experience and talent at three vital positions, the Lady Lions should be in the thick of the race.
They return one of the best in the league in senior setter Kourtney Krchniak. Also back are outside hitter Samantha Coakley and libero Samantha Chilcott.
Kenmore East
Former Lady Bulldog Julie Becker returns to the sidelines as she once again takes over as the varsity head coach.
She will have plenty of talent suiting up as Jordan Taylor (outside hitter), Maya Maccagnano (libero/OH) and Gabrielle Sordetto (OH/MH) lead the way.
Kenmore West
Brittany Lis takes over as varsity coach after the departure of former head coach Kelly Strong who spent 17 years with the program.
Lis, who was a standout player at Lancaster High School and Fredonia State College, coached the Ken-West JV team for the last six years.
The Blue Devils return a core of girls in seniors Samantha Veronica (setter), Rachel Valente (outside hitter), Chloe Moore (libero) and Sarah Denman (middle) who are all eager to step into the role of team leaders.
CSAT
The Eagles return five seniors as they look to make their mark in a very competitive league.
Aaliyah Renaldo and Kimaya Gabhart will be at outside hitter, while Elisa Jones will be on the right side and Sheila Dupree will play opposite. Ericksha DeJesus will player setter.