First-year head coach Lila Kalina heads into her first season at Harvey optimistic the Red Raiders are trending up.
The team returns just three starters from a squad that won three matches last fall, but she is excited about the influx of talented newcomers.
“While the varsity volleyball team is adding eight new players to their squad, the Red Raiders will be a highly competitive team that has never been seen before,” Kalina said. “The sophomore class is filled with extremely talented athletes who are ready to fill in the gaps left behind by the 2022 team. The new and improved varsity team is fully capable of having a winning record this year, and they are expected to be the team that changes Harvey volleyball for the better.”
Harvey’s key to success this season is having each player quickly adapt to her role and develop the confidence and consistency necessary to compete on a daily basis.
“The most evident weakness in the Harvey volleyball team this year is the lack of experience at the varsity level,” Kalina said. “However, this will make us unpredictable, giving us the edge over our opponents. Many of the teams we face won’t know what to expect since our starting lineup consists mostly of new players, which will allow us to use the element of surprise to our benefit. Harvey volleyball will be underestimated, which will be our greatest strength.”
Senior outside hitter/defensive specialist Jada Coffee returns after earning first-team All-Chagrin Valley Conference honors last fall. She recorded 80 digs, 49 kills, 14 service aces, four assists, and one block.
“Jada is one of the most talented players on the team, and she is determined to leave her mark on the Harvey volleyball program,” Kalina said. “With the support of a new and improved varsity team, she will be able to excel as an outside hitter while being pushed beyond her limits as a defensive specialist. She will lead the team with her volleyball skills and court presence, making her our go-to person.”
Senior middle hitter Morgan Coffee was an honorable mention all-conference selection last fall after recording 36 kills, 17 digs, eight aces, four assists, and two blocks.
“Morgan is a reliable leader both on and off the court,” Kalina said. “Her experience in the middle will help provide the younger players that will inevitably surround her with the necessary confidence that is important at the varsity level.”
The Red Raiders also return honorable mention All-CVC setter/right side hitter Dana Ramirez, a junior.
“Dana will command the offense as our setter this year,” Kalina said. “She has made significant strides since the 2022 season, and her ability to run a faster, more complex offense will make both and her hitters dangerous.”
Rounding out the projected starting lineup are sophomore middle hitter Bri Taylor, sophomore outside hitter/defensive specialist Ava Oberstar, sophomore right side/defensive specialist Haleigh Lewis, and sophomore libero Emily Amador.
What Taylor lacks in experience, she makes up for with speed and talent, and Oberstar’s volleyball IQ is sure to help the Red Raiders.
“While Bri lacks experience at the varsity level, her speed and agility will make her an unstoppable force at the net,” Kalina said. “Ava will be an extremely versatile hitter and defensive specialist. She is one of the smartest players offensively, and her ability to read the opposing team’s defense will make her unstoppable as a hitter.”
Lewis should make an immediate impact at the net and Amador had big shoes to fill as she sets out to replace second-team All-CVC performer Faith Overbey, who graduated in 2022.
“While Haleigh does lack experience as a right side, she has demonstrated that her previously learned skills as an outside hitter and defensive specialist will be easily transferred. Her blocking and scrappy defense will make it challenging for opposing teams to score points on the Red Raiders,” Kalina said. “Emily is one of the most aggressive, well-trained defensive specialists that have come through the Harvey volleyball program. She will be an asset to the team, not only with her skill but with her volleyball knowledge as well.”
Providing depth in the back row are senior defensive specialist Essynce Golston, and junior defensive specialists Ayla Oberstar and Maria Maldonado.
“Essynce is the necessary flame that is needed to keep the varsity team burning bright this year. She brings energy like no other, and her significant improvements on serve receive and defense will make her a reliable player in the back row,” Kalina said. “Ayla (and Maria) didn’t see a ton of playing time last year, but (they) will help the team this year by providing varsity experience that many of the other defensive specialists lack.”
The Red Raider bench also will be bolstered by sophomore outside hitter/defensive specialist Asia Bafford, sophomore middle hitter Isla Barajas, and sophomore setters/right side hitters Talia Herbert and Mari Stallworth.
“Asia will most likely see playing time at every position except for setter. By the end of the season, she will be one of the most versatile players on the team,” Kalina said. “Isla will be used as a middle hitter, where she will mostly be relied upon for her solid defense and aggressive serve. Talia will be seeing playing time as both a setter and right side, where she will be able to hone her previously learned skills at a new, more advanced level. Mari will be seeing playing time as both a setter and right side, where she will be able to hone her previously learned skills at a new, more advanced level.”
