East Hardy Volleyball has been diligently preparing for the upcoming season meeting all the requirements of the pandemic regulations including masks during play in practice with each challenge accepted and conquered en route to making a return trip to Charleston for the state tournament this year with a simple goal of becoming better at every practice.[private]
The rules have been changing and the WVSSAC released revised guidelines regarding face coverings and indoor sports including volleyball which stipulates they are required indoors when social distancing can’t be maintained except for when student-athletes are practicing and/or participating in high intensity activities. Additionally, face coverings must be worn by all individuals on the bench and sidelines.
No mask will cover the fact that the Cougars have been to the state tournament ten times under coach Marsha Hahn who enters her 15th season on the sidelines and joined by her husband Chris providing support as an assistant.
The knowledge of volleyball is ingrained in their brains with nine players returning from last season’s state tournament appearance, but there is room for improvement getting in top form for another bid to Charleston and just having an opportunity to play among the uncertainly is a welcome relief to the team.
“The kids are just excited to be back in the gym and every day we have in there is a blessing. Our plan is to get better every day and hopefully at the end of the season we can make a deep run,” East Hardy Volleyball assistant coach Chris Hahn commented.
“Really the kids have adapted to the changes well. It’s difficult to communicate and volleyball requires constant communication to be effective, but the competitiveness of the kids hasn’t diminished, and they are putting in the work. But as far as face coverings and sanitizing practices the players are very understanding that this is what we must do to have a season and have shown great flexibility,”
East Hardy’s varsity squad will be comprised of the nine returning state tournament representatives working together to gain more success this season with seniors SierraMarie Miller, Erin Riggle and Perry Whetzel leading the charge alongside juniors Victoria Ames, Lily Riggle and Courtney Shank plus sophomores Emily Dyer, Emma Heishman and Gabreanna Miller with the latter six collecting time last year on both varsity and junior varsity teams.
Erin Riggle was selected to the Class A All-State second team squad after last season’s performance and led the Cougars with the most kills as an outside hitter.
Riggle’s ability to navigate the floor will enable her to make the precision hits to keep the momentum going.
SierraMarie Miller has the most set assists for East Hardy and earned a spot on the Class A All-State special honorable mention team, but provided more support at the net as a blocker and could make attacks when needed.
Miller is thrilled to be playing and hopes for her team to become better in order to win more and does what she can to be a positive leader.
“I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to play this year. My goal for our team is to get better and win. I strive to be a positive role model for our team, on and off the court,” East Hardy senior SierraMarie Miller remarked.
Additionally, Miller and Riggle were named as members of the All-Potomac Valley Conference team.
Whetzel was one of the best defensive players making great digs and passes with a designation as a libero for most of the matches played last year and her experience going into her senior season will pay dividends for the squad.
Ames, Dyer, Heishman and Lily Riggle provided defensive support keeping the ball clear from the floor, while Gabreanna Miller and Shank launched attacks and there were times for the roles to be reversed with volleys coming from the entire group.
All of these players have proven to be solid servers and the rotation can create a good rhythm as the ebb and flow of the game warrants to gain match victories.
Three more players from last year’s team garnered split playing time on the varsity and junior varsity squads: junior Caitlyn Ward, sophomore Leah Kessler and sophomore Autumn Crites should benefit from their experience and have the chance to develop more as the season progresses starting out playing on the junior varsity squad assisting the incoming freshmen group of Kiley Funkhouser, Bryce Miller and Jenna Combs.
East Hardy revamped the entire schedule as neighboring states can’t compete and no tournaments can be played the entire season.
The Cougars start the season on the road playing at Union with Tygarts Valley tomorrow in Mt. Storm.
One more journey out to Pendleton County will occur on September 17 before East Hardy has its first home match battling cross-county rival Moorefield on September 22.
This season with the lack of out of state opponents and big tournaments, the Cougars were able to schedule matches against five different Class AAA schools: Hampshire, Jefferson, Hedgesville, Washington and Spring Mills.
East Hardy will be facing three familiar Class AA foes with matches against Petersburg, Keyser and Frankfort with the Falcons being the final home match of the tentative year on October 27 before the Cougars plan to finish the regular season on the road against Paw Paw and Tucker County on October 29.
“Scheduling changing the season. This is tough to even gauge we really taking it one day at a time and haven’t even had a chance to look at the schedule other then we have some good competition in our Tri’s and Quads. It’s not the same not having true tournaments every weekend and will be a lot less volleyball for the girls but again we are just happy to be out here getting a chance to have a season,” Chris Hahn stated.
East Hardy Volleyball has a plethora of experience and talent to create positive outcomes this season and won’t let the current circumstances be a stumbling block as determination and focus will prevail.
“We have an experienced varsity this year. With our seniors Erin Riggle, Sierra Miller, and Perry Whetzel they feel a lot of pressure to be good and are all working hard in the gym. Team chemistry is great they all seem to get along and are working hard to communicate on the floor. We are still working out a rotation so not sure of positions, but we will be a very competitive team and as long as they keep working hard they should have a great season,” Chris Hahn concluded. [/private]