Cardinal returns just three starters from the 2016 season but the Huskies open the new year with a familiar goal.
“Our obvious goal is to defend our title as (Chagrin Valley Conference) champs for the fourth year in a row,” said Cardinal third-year coach Karisca Chambers. “In order for us to achieve this goal, we must focus and attack the other teams in the CVC. Team chemistry is extremely important and the girls have spent a lot of time together off the court to help build unity on the court.”
That chemistry will play an important role, especially in the early part of the season as three new starters work their way into the rotation.
The Huskies return just three starters and two lettermen from last year’s squad that earned the No. 2 seed in the Leavittsburg District.
“Even though we lost some key players, we have a lot of talent and competitiveness coming back,” Chambers said.
All three returning starters are seniors and will serve as the Huskies’ captains.
Megan Zeigler played libero last year but will fill a Jack-of-all-trades role this season.
“We have her playing all the way around,” Chambers said. “She is an outside hitter as well as a key back row player. Megan is our strongest hitter on the team and the most consistent. Her dedication to the sport and the team in the offseason shows as soon as she steps on the court. I know she will do great things for our program this season.”
Hanna Traggiai moved from defensive specialist to setter for her senior season.
“Hanna set in the past during her freshman year and the beginning of her sophomore year, but she has been playing a (defensive specialist) on varsity the last two years,” Chambers said. “I expect a lot out of Hanna and I am very tough on her. I have complete confidence that she will fill the shoes of starting setter.”
Despite lacking the height of a typical middle hitter, Kaitlyn Shantery has successfully filled that role for the Huskies.
“Kait has been playing middle on varsity since her junior year,” Chambers said. “Even though she only stands about 5-foot-5, she has a high vertical and is a strong blocker. I have high hopes for these seniors. I know they will carry us to a successful season.”
Juniors Faith Peters and Kaylee Klepper are returning lettermen that will fill the holes left by the departed seniors.
“Faith was our strongest blocker last season, and her block keeps improving as the year unfolds. Her ability to slow the ball down allows our defense to get to more balls. Faith has also been more aggressive this year on attacking,” Chambers said. “Kaylee has been starting varsity since her freshman year. Her hard and heavy swing is key in close matches. She is able to get kills as well as tool off the blockers. I have high hopes for these juniors to help lead us to another CVC championship.”
Juniors Camille Cummins and Ashley Gubanyar and freshman Alaina Strever also will be counted on to provide depth for the Huskies this season.
“Camille is right alongside Faith Peters when it comes to strong blocking,” Chambers said. ‘She is the tallest girl on our team and she shuts down the opposing side’s strongest hitters. CC got some varsity time last season, but she will be our right side hitter as well as an outside. Ashley played all the way around last year on JV, however she is a DS at the varsity level. Ashley is quick and small, which allows her to get low and cover a lot of area on the court. Alaina is an incoming freshman. I knew from watching her play last season that she would be an active member on the varsity court. Ideally, I would like her to take over as our new libero. Alaina is quick and her ability to cover the court is impressive. I have very high expectations for her.”
Chambers has throughout the preseason identified her team’s strengths and weaknesses and will continue to push the Huskies to improve and peak at the right time this fall.
“We have many team strengths, one of them being our front row. We are a strong blocking team as well as a strong left front attacking team,” Chamber said. “We expect to be versatile so that we can attack using the whole net. This year, winning the CVC will be tough and we will have to work hard to earn that title, but I have complete confidence in our program.”
