Volleyball is a relatively new sport at Tyrone and Bellwood-Antis, and the girls are still learning, unlike the success some of the other area teams have had. Bishop Guilfoyle, for example just completed a District championship, has been undefeated in Mountain Conference play for the past three years (52-0) and has won five of the six tournaments they have entered in the last two seasons.
Tyrone, under the direction of first-year coach Dave Eckberg has five returning seniors who played last year, and is hoping for good things from that group.
“We hope that our experience helps us out,” said Eckberg. “Notably, Amber DelBaggio and Lauren Haag have really stepped up this year and we are expecting big things from them. Our passing should be solid and Amber has developed into a fine setter and team leader. We also have some younger players. Katie Whitby started as a ninth grader and we expect her to progress and help out the team. We had some marked improvement by the girls last year and we are kind of hoping to build on that. It looks as if our schedule is going to change for next year. At least, I have been told, we are going into a different league with tougher competition. So, we are going to make the most of this year and see how it goes.”
For those of us who remember the volleyball we played, or just stood around and got in the way of others when we were supposed to be playing volleyball in gym class, rethink you conception. Think Olympic volleyball. And for those of us who say, it’s only a girls sport, with a bunch of little girls, who couldn’t make it on the football field, try the Tyrone squad’s long practices with lots of running and learning to volley and spike and serve.
“Most people don’t know that the girls work really hard,” explained coach Eckberg. “We have been practicing hard. The girls go through six-hour practices for preseason. They go two three-hour sessions, kind of like the football team. They get tired, but we are proud of and they put a lot of effort into it.”
The first action for the Tyrone girls will be this Saturday at the Philipsburg-Osceola Tournament, which begins at 9 a.m.
“We are going to see what kind of dividends our hard work in the preseason has paid off,” offered Eckberg.
In addition to DelBaggio, Haag and Whitby, other returning starters are Lindsey Bailey, Brittany Wilson and Stephanie Catich. Other team members include seniors: Ashley Carper, Loriel Herist, Barbara Holmes, Mindy Rudy, Kristen Schleiden and Joanna Turner, juniors: Jeri Harper, and Sara Mease, sophomores: Heather Hannah and Jessica Ott, and ninth graders: Samantha Friday, Emily Lloyd, Ashley Roth, Sarah Russell and Zoe Yeaton.
At nearby Bellwood-Antis, coach Jennel Miller expressed an air of optimism for the coming year.
“We have plenty of letterwinners and five four-year seniors, who will bring both experience and teamwork to the court for us.”
Despite the overall optimism, the Blue Devils are thin in numbers and could face a serious situation if hit by the injury bug or illness.
“Our numbers are smaller this year than in the past. That could pose a problem if illness or injury take their toll.”
Assisted by Seth David and Ashley Wyland, coach Miller has high hopes for the 2003 season.
“We have a lot of experience to build on and some very promising young talent that we hope will help us reach our goals. This year’s team is very motivated to succeed.”
Other returning starters for the Blue Devils are Jamie Miller, Molly Simpson, Kali Schreckengost and Dani Patton.
Colleen Steffen is the team manager and Ashley Smith, Trista Sprankle and Kristen Eakin are returning letterwinners. The B-A team is composed of six seniors: Miller, Patton, Schreckengost, Simpson, Smith and Rebecca Nau, five juniors: Eakin, Sprankle, Lindsay Dearing, Casey Narehood and Heather Shura, six sophomores: Kayla Boore, Lindsey Claar, Stephanie Hatch, Jenna Ralston, Elyse Schreckengost and Allison Sinisi and five ninth graders: Lauren Carter, Haley Crider, Denielle Minori, Kaitlyn Palmer and Nicole Ross.
The first competition for Bellwood-Antis will be Saturday Aug. 31 at the Penns Manor Invitational, beginning at 9 a.m.
