Season Openers: Wellsville
The season is under way and we are getting our first look at the high school teams in the area. There are a lot of changes happening on these teams with players graduating last season and some new blood coming…
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Continue ReadingThe season is under way and we are getting our first look at the high school teams in the area. There are a lot of changes happening on these teams with players graduating last season and some new blood coming into high school. We will continue to cover the teams and keep you up to date on who’s who this season.
The Tigers started their season with a 5 set thriller against Western Reserve. Wellsville dropped the first two sets, with the second set going 30-28. It was a battle and neither team wanted to lose. Wellsville came out with big energy during the third and fourth set and forced a 5th set. After some back and forth play and some pretty questionable calls going both ways, Western Reserve came out with the win.
Wellsville using two new setters this year after losing their two senior setters last season, started out slower than usual. Sophomore Bella Poppelriter had an outstanding night. She stepped into the setting role for the first time this season after playing the libero spot on JV last season. Her coach said “Bella is just a natural athlete and we knew that it wouldn’t take her long to pick it up”. It’s hard to believe that she has never set before this season and I am excited to watch her growth this season. Fellow Sophomore Presley Stokes Presley Stokes 5'10" | OH Wellsville | 2025 State OH is also stepping into the setter role and looks pretty comfortable there. She is one of the captains on the team and a clear leader for the Tigers. Stokes led her team in kills with 20 on the night.
Wellsville has a lot of new players that are stepping up this season. Junior, Brooke Hackney who got some varsity time last season but didn’t put up big numbers has definitely showed up this season ready to be a major player for this team. After playing right side last season, we saw her in the middle position in her season opener and she showed us why, putting up 9 big blocks and 4 kills. She had a whole new energy that we didn’t see last season and I am sure we will be hearing her name a lot this season. Sophomore, Myleigh Jackson is another player that didn’t see a lot of varsity time last year but it looks like she is sealing her spot on the court this season. She is a fast, athletic and energetic player. Going in on right side and some DS as well, we will be watching to see how she develops as the season continues.
Senior, Alana Amato Alana Amato 5'9" | MB Wellsville | 2023 State OH returning this season, was a wall in the middle, moving along the net and getting off the floor quick to get her hands in the opponents face. Adding 9 blocks to the Tigers team total of 18 blocks on the night. She was a game changer last season and is stepping right back into that role this year. Libero, Aubrey Ramsey is a key player for the Tigers this year and they will be counting on her to step up in the back row and take charge to keep the Tigers in system.
The game didn’t turn out how the Tigers hoped, however, I still pick this team as a favorite to go far into the tournament. With the new players getting better everyday and the strong coaching style at Wellsville, I think they have a shot at making history this year. It’s likely that these two teams will meet up again at tournament time. We will keep the coverage coming and see how it shakes out for the Tigers.