By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

Preview capsules for Portage County volleyball teams for the 2022 season.

AURORA GREENMEN

Head Coach: Tyler Price, 40-34 career record.

Coaching Staff: Miguel Ramirez, Sharri Durdel, Rachele Kelly, Sarah Willis.

2021 Recap: 17-8 overall record; 10-4 Suburban League; 2nd place Suburban; sectional champions.

Returning Letterwinners (6): Mia Devine, sr.; Ally DeSapri, sr.; Brooke Gecina, jr.; Ollie Salgado, jr.; Ava McGovern, jr.; Cailor Roche, jr.

Letterwinners Lost (6): Brooke Fishback, Lauren VonderHaar, Maria Parks, Jordan Miller, Alayna Fromwiller, Brenna Baker.

General Outlook: “Some coaches would consider this season to be a rebuilding year after losing five starters, with two of them being four-year starters and three of them three-year starters, but I would consider this to be a reloading season,” head coach Tyler Price said. 

Price’s optimistic viewpoint comes from the idea that some talented underclassmen were kept from additional varsity time because of the large number of senior starters.

In addition to the team’s returning letterwinners, Price said he anticipates juniorsMaddie Shanholtzer, Amanda Chmielewski and Miranda Fontanella, along with sophomore Lana Whitmer and freshman Emerson Speitz to make solid contributions this season.

Reason to be Optimistic: “Hunger. With a lot of new players, there is a hunger to be successful and to show that we belong on the varsity team.”

CRESTWOOD RED DEVILS

Head Coach: Wanda Hoffman, 30th year; 472-227 career record.

Coaching Staff: Lauren Painley, JV coach; Jade Bretz, freshman coach; Lilly Hoffman, assistant.

2021 Recap: 9-15 overall record; 4-6 Chagrin Valley Conference.

Returning Letterwinners (3): Aimee Barnauskas, sr.; Avrie Schenkel, sr.; Jazmyn Stevens, jr.;

Letterwinners Lost (7): Mikayla Berquist, Jynx Bretz, Madison Dombrowski, Emily Jo Jaeger, Gianna Kalista, Kelsey Kulish, Mackenzie Langford.

General Outlook: “We lost seven fantastic seniors last season,” head coach Wanda Hoffman said.

Even still, the veteran coach, is excited for the 2022 season.

“Since we have been in this league for a few years, we know more about the competition. We know we will have to work extremely hard to be competitive and improve our record from last year, but we believe the players ready for this challenge.”

Reason to be Optimistic: Depth is on the Devils’ side this year, with 12-plus players that could make an impact this season.

“Getting the right chemistry and working together will be the key.”

Something Interesting: “The volleyball team, along with other (Crestwood) sports teams, do a fall leaf raking event for some of the families that need assistance. Our Booster Club helps set it up every year. We also have some athletes that participate in 4-H and attend many fairs in the area.”

FIELD FALCONS

Head Coach: Beth Dyer, 6th year; 39-54 career record.

Coaching Staff: Dan Battaglia.

2021 Recap: 8-16 overall record; 4-10 Metro Athletic Conference.

Returning Letterwinners (4): Taylor Francis, sr.; Megan Schmidt, sr.; Mackenzie Herndon, jr.; Ava Sheeler, jr.

Letterwinners Lost (6): Delaney Richmond, Carlee Chambers, Ali Morris, Ella Livengood, Leah Snyder, Alyssa Schaber.

General Outlook: “We have some experienced hitters, but inexperience in the setting position due to Delaney Richmond graduating,” head coach Beth Dyer said.

Reason to be Optimistic: Dyer said she has a group that is eager and hard working that want to compete.

Something Interesting: The majority of the varsity roster are multi-sport athletes, with five players part of the district championship softball team.

GARFIELD G-MEN

Head Coach: Ali Roach, 4th year; 40-26 career record.

Coaching Staff: Becky Van Kirk.

2021 Recap: 20-5 overall record; 12-2 Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference record; 2nd MVAC; sectional champions.

Returning Letterwinners (6): Madeline Shirkey, sr.; Gabby Barnard, sr.; Hannah Warren, sr.; Montana McGranahan, jr.; Addison Miller, jr.; Hannah Kernig, soph.

Letterwinners Lost (3): Jenna Smith, Caydence McGranahan, Jordan Perme.

General Outlook: “We have a very solid group returning from last season,” head coach Ali Roach said.

Overall, the G-Men lost three seniors, but do have a strong group of underclassmen that appear ready to step up to fill spots after an off-season of hard work.

“I know we are setting big goals this year, and I think we will continue to work hard to reach those. It is going to be a great season.”

Reason to be Optimistic: “We had such a strong group of athletes last year, and I believe we will be just as strong, if not stronger this season. We have fantastic leadership with seniors Madeline (Shirkey) and Gabby (Barnard). The team works hard every single day, and I cannot be more proud.”

KENT ROOSEVELT ROUGH RIDERS

Head Coach: Sean Burns, 9th year (2nd at Kent Roosevelt; 71-45 career record.

Coaching Staff: John Cooper, Anaya Croston, Gianna Schiavi.

2021 Recap: 6-17 overall record; 4-10 Suburban League; 6th in Suburban.

Returning Letterwinners (7): Taylor Dunlap, sr.; Siiri Valesky, sr.; Samantha Gallagher, sr.; Olivia Sams, sr.; Emmy Derry, jr.; Delaney Jones, jr.; Norah Redfern, soph.

Letterwinners Lost (3): Megan Moser, Claire Fried, Samantha Baron.

General Outlook: “We are very optimistic about improving our overall record and standing within our division of the Suburban League,” head coach Sean Blevins said.

The Rough Riders will need to fill the void left by three graduated seniors, with Megan Moser acting as the team’s defensive leader a year ago.

“I know the returners will step up to fill that hole that Megan has left.”

Reason to be Optimistic: “We are returning the majority of our team from last year, gaining a few new skill players.”

Those players are junior setter Maddie VanDamme, junior middle-hitter Allison Gabelman and freshman outside hitter Camryn McLaughlin.

“Gaining those three players changed the landscape of our team in the best of ways.”

MOGADORE WILDCATS

Head Coach: Andrea Ball, 8th year (1st at Mogadore).

Coaching Staff: Gabby Heminger.

2021 Recap: 9-9 overall record; 5-5 Portage Trail Conference.

Returning Letterwinners (8): Ashlyn Peterhoff, sr.; Zoey Ruppel, sr.; Sophia Moledo, jr.; Brooklyn McIntyre, jr.; Kenzington Miller, jr.; Hennessy Brake, jr.; Kendall Barcus, jr.; Katy Mitchell, jr.

Letterwinners Lost (1): Kala Wilson.

General Outlook: “We have a very athletic and scrappy back row this season,” said Mogadore coach Andrea Ball, who steps in to the head-coaching role after leading the Wildcats’ junior varsity team last fall.

The back line will be led by juniors Brooklyn McIntyre, Kenzington Miller and Katy Mitchell.

Freshman Alana Whitmore will be Mogadore’s starting libber.

“She is fast and fearless,” Ball said.

The team’s middle hitters will be junior Sophia Moledor and sophomore Addi Gerring.

Reason to be Optimistic: “It is an amazing group of scholar-athletes, and I’m looking forward to taking on the PTC with them this season.”

ROOTSTOWN ROVERS

Head Coach: Cassie Braden, 8th year.

Coaching Staff: Vicki Just.

2021 Recap: 14-6 overall record; 9-1 Portage Trail Conference; PTC co-champions.

Returning Letterwinners (9): Lindsay Smith, sr.; Marina Nichols, sr.; Kayden Slagle, sr.; Taylor Banks, jr.; Shelbie Krieger, jr.; Zoe Pastva, jr.; Boston Silveus, jr.; Nadia Lough, soph.; Allison Strickland, soph.

Letterwinners Lost (5): Kylie Kat, Cameron Kuharich, Autumn Stefancik, Jenna Kurtz, Delta Nichols.

General Outlook: “We have great depth,” said head coach Cassie Braden, who returns to the program for the first time since 2015. “Many of our younger girls gained varsity experience last year, so I will be looking for those players to lead the team.”

Braden’s team is benefitted from a group of talented multi-sport athletes that can play multiple positions.

“I am confident that we can repeat as PTC champs this year.”

Reason to be Optimistic: “We have a very talented freshman group who are dedicated to the sport. This team will be very strong in the coming years.”

Something Interesting: Rootstown’s league championship last year was the program’s first since 1985.

SOUTHEAST PIRATES

Head Coach: Mary Tarka, 48th year; 739 career wins.

Coaching Staff: Meredith Wooley.

2021 Recap: 3-16 overall record; 0-10 Portage Trail Conference.

Returning Letterwinners (5): Emma Janok, sr.; Morgan Meadows, sr.; Norah Truex, jr.; Tori Healy, jr.; Kylie Bailey, jr.

Letterwinners Lost (3): Reagan Pettigrew, Lyndsey Pennington, Mackenzie Dillon.

General Outlook: Veteran head coach Mary Tarka, who enters her 48th season leading the Pirates, said she has a good group of hard-working girls that are looking to improve from last year’s record.

Reason to be Optimistic: “We have good serving and good teamwork.”

WATERLOO VIKINGS

Head Coach: Aleck Franks, 2nd year; 0-22 career record.

Coaching Staff: Aleena Samblanet.

2021 Recap: 0-22 overall record; 0-14 Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference.

Returning Letterwinners (7): Sophia Gonzales, sr.; Cameron Bentley, sr.; Maranda Long, jr.; Taryn Brown, jr.; Arianna Rebecchi, soph.; Lexi Eddy, soph.; Isabella Kozma, soph.

Letterwinners Lost (1): Jenny Cieplinski.

General Outlook: “Coming in as my second year as head coach, I am feeling very optimistic this year,” head coach Aleck Franks said. “Last year was a rebuilding year and it can only go up from here.”

Franks said her team, overall, has a better outlook for the season.

“We are excited to get to work.”

Reason to be Optimistic: “We have nothing to lose from last year, but we have everything to gain. It gives us a chance to set a good building block and use that the rest of the year and years to come.”

WINDHAM BOMBERS

Head Coach: Lauren Gintert, 7th year; 47-76 career record.

Coaching Staff: Jessica Horning.

2021 Recap: 10-10 overall record; 10-7 Northeastern Athletic Conference.

Returning Letterwinners (5): Julia Jones, sr.; Za’Nya Henderson, sr.; Briah Daniel, jr.; Ka’Neese Jones, jr.; Quinn Justham, soph.

Letterwinners Lost (3): Zahra Cunningham, Zoey St. John, Hannah Murton.

General Outlook: “This year’s team will have some solid veterans to lead and a few holes to fill,” Windham head coach Lauren Gintert said.

The defense will need to fill the spot left by graduating libber Zoey St. John. Senior Za’Nya Henderson will be stepping into that role for the Bombers.

Another challenge for the Bombers will be finding a replacement for Zahra Cunningham, who led the NAC in blocks and was second in kills last year.

Junior Briah Daniel will be taking over the lead middle-hitting position.

“She has shown she has what it takes to get the job done.”

Za’Nya Henderson will be a back-row specialist, while junior Ka’Neese Jones will be the team’s right-side hitter and sophomore Quinn Justham will be the setter.

Reason to be Optimistic: “This is a good group of kids with great chemistry. They get along great, with can be half the battle sometimes. We don’t have many veterans, but the ones we do have, work hard and are hungry to win.”

Something Interesting: Windham volleyball’s team shirts shy away from the typical approach and have funny pop culture influences instead. Previous shirt themes have been Starbucks, Finding Nemo, Dairy Queen, Monsters, Inc. and Harry Potter.

This year’s shirt will be influenced by Stranger Things.

Editor’s Note: Team information from Ravenna and Streetsboro was not returned prior to deadline. Their respective team information will publish at a later date.