BY KYLE TROUTMAN
The Southwest high school volleyball team is hoping a mix of experience and work ethic will propel the team to great heights this season.
Steve Voyak, in his 20th year as Southwest volleyball coach, said the things he saw over the summer bode well for the Lady Trojans this fall.
“I like our work ethic — the girls worked hard in the summer and showed flashes of what we could be,” he said. “Our young players need to take the next step and our seniors need to step up and lead. We played 35 summer games, and when we put it all together, we were fun to watch. But, when we reverted back to the 2021 version of Southwest volleyball, we struggled.”
Voyak said to overcome summer challenges, there were three main focuses: serve reception, serving more aggressively and accurately, and improving the attack, specifically with kills.
“We made significant strides but we need to show consistency, especially over a day-long tournament or a five-set match against a quality opponent,” he said. “It will all come down to ball control.”
Providing leadership in those departments will be a mix of returning players and newcomers, including five seniors, three juniors and five more sophomores.
Senior libero Olivia Erwin and senior defensive specialist Anna Church bring back the most experience to the team.
“Olivia is the top passer on the team on defense and out of receive,” Voyak said. “She has also improved her attacking out of the back row. She is a two-year starter as a DS or libero. Anna is a speedy DS who has three varsity letters. She has improved as a back row defender and attacking. She needs to be more consistent in reception and in her serve.” Another senior aiming to make a mark include Signe Suchowski, who had a limited varsity role as a junior but is poised to start as a back row defender this year. “Signe has become of the team’s top servers and has improved her back row defense and serve reception.” Rounding out the senior quintet is setter Jackie Quintanilla and outside/middle Cally Bowyer, both of whom are in their final seasons after two years off. Juniors Lyric Bernard, outside; Juliauna Sierra, right side setter; and Brooklynn Slye, middle, will also bring some experience to the floor.
“Lyric is an excellent jumper and athlete and a top hitter on the team,” Voyak said. “She has improved in serve reception and back row defense over the summer, but she still needs more consistency as a hitter and server. Juliauna Sierra earned her first varsity letter as a sophomore and needs to be a more consistent hitter and passer.
“Brooklynn earned her first varsity letter as an undersized middle as a sophomore. She has become more consistent as a hitter, blocker, and server.”
Bolstering the back end of the roster is a talented lineup of sophomores, multiple of whom received varsity letters as first-year students.
“Kaleigh Tull, a 5-8 middle, led the team in blocks as a freshman,” Voyak said. “She is a solid worker but must improve her timing to become a better hitter. She shown flashes of what her potential might be. Right side hitter Kelsee Merritt earned a letter as a freshman and was able to find the soft spot on the defense. She has also improved as a server. She must improve her overall speed and ability to kill the ball. “Setter Laura Henry lettered as a freshman in a limited role as a 6-2 setter last season. She had a solid summer and has started to get some chemistry with the hitters and has made herself into a reliable server.”
Outside hitter Riley Flippo was named by Voyak as a promising hitter over the summer, but must be more consistent with kills and less prone to errors. Finally, middle blocker Montana Skelton may be the team’s hardest worker, according to Voyak, but still needs to improve as a hitter and a blocker. Southwest’s season began on Tuesday with a jamboree in Hurley. The regular season opens on Saturday at the Verona Tournament against Greenfield, Thomas Jefferson, Miller and host Verona. The Lady Trojans’ home opener is Sept. 6 against Verona.
