With four returning starters from a team that won 16 games, Berkshire’s volleyball team is poised for a return to the top of the Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division standings.
The Badgers, who finished 16-9 overall, went 8-2 in league play last year with both losses coming to defending Valley Division champion Kirtland.
“Once we get healthy, I expect us to compete all season,” said Berkshire 19th-year head coach Joni Prots. “We have a schedule that I hope prepares us for our league schedule and the postseason.”
Berkshire settled for a district runner-up award last fall—losing to eventual state champion Lake Catholic—but the Badgers have their sights set on a deeper postseason run this fall.
To achieve those goals, they’ll first have to replace their graduated outside hitter and libero positions.
Fortunately, the Badgers have several players who gained experience last season ready to step up and play key roles.
“We will need some of last year’s freshman to contribute on a bigger scale to fill those holes,” Prots said. “We need to get healthy quickly and we need to be consistent on serve receive so our offense can do their job.”
Berkshire returns six players who earned all-conference honors last fall.
Leading the way for the Badgers is senior right side hitter Maddie Smetana, a first-team All-CVC and second-team all-district honoree.
Smetana recorded 286 kills, 39 blocks, 238 digs, and 40 aces as a junior.
“Maddie has been our go-to hitter for the last two years and I expect the same this year,” Prots said. “She has great court awareness and a tremendous understanding of the game. Her intensity on the court is second to none.”
Senior setter Sammi Winter earned second-team All-CVC and honorable mention all-district honors. She recorded 247 assists and 189 digs.
“Sammi is our team leader,” Prots said. “No one works harder than Sammi and she forces others to work hard to keep up. Her enthusiasm for the game and her team is so important to what we want to accomplish this season.”
Returning at middle hitter is senior Hayley Stoddard, who earned second-team All-CVC and honorable mention all-district honors after recording 65 kills and 39 blocks as a junior.
Stoddard is hobbled by an ankle injury but should return to action early in the season.
“Hoping to get Hayley back from an ankle injury by week two of the season,” Prots said. “Once back, I expect her to be our consistent middle trying to control the net with her blocking.”
Sophomore setter/outside hitter Marissa Rish was a second-team All-CVC performer after recording 61 service aces, 101 kills, 349 assists, and 165 digs.
“Marissa is a born quarterback on the court,” Prots said. “She has so much knowledge of the game and is a great competitor. She will run our offense for half the rotations but will also get a bunch of swings from the outside in the front row.”
Sophomore libero Kate Miller recorded 60 aces and 204 digs on her way to earning honorable mention all-conference honors as a freshman.
“Kate is being asked to take on a bigger role this season as our libero,” Prots said. “She will be in charge of controlling our serve receive and communication on the court. Her consistency will go a long way in helping us achieve our goals this season.”
Sophomore outside hitter/right side hitter Jill Smetana was an honorable mention all-conference honoree. She recorded 105 kills and 46 blocks as a freshman.
“Jill is also nursing an injury right now,” Prots said. “Once back, Jill will continue to be the player that can swing from anywhere. She will get most of her time as either an outside or right side hitter this season.”
Rounding out the projected starting lineup is junior middle hitter Kirsten Shaffer.
“Kirsten has made great strides since last season with both her blocking and hitting,” Prots said. “We are looking for her to be a force in the middle this season.”
Providing depth for the Badgers are senior outside hitter/right side hitter Maddie Walter and junior outside hitter/right side hitter Hannah Hutchinson.
