By Corty Reynolds
A relatively inexperienced Ada varsity volleyball team enters its fourth season under head coach Kyleigh Tabor in a bit of a rebuilding mode.
The scrappy Lady Bulldogs finished 11-12 overall (2-6 NWC) in 2020 after losing some close early league matches . Ada finished seventh in the nine-team league standings.
The Lady Bulldogs then lost to state powerhouse New Bremen in the sectional second round after defeating Temple Christian.
Three healthy letter winners and two starters return for Ada. Unfortunately, versatile senior Kirsten Poling is likely out for all or most of the season while recovering from a knee injury suffered in the basketball season finale last winter.
She was named honorable mention all-conference last season. A good blocker, Poling is recovering well but Tabor says the best case scenario is that she comes back for the end of the season. "It is a big loss," admitted Tabor. "She started two years as our setter."
Ada also lost second team all-league middle blocker/hitter Megan Light and inspirational all-around hustler Miranda Wills to graduation, as well as Kylie Acheson.
"We lost three good seniors, but we have a great group of freshmen coming in and one will start," Tabor said.
The Bulldogs will employ a 5-1 offense with sophomore Autumn Andreasan assuming the critical setter role. The promising player missed all of last season while recovering from a torn ACL in basketball.
Scrappy senior Alexis White returns as an experienced back row defender. "Lexi is really stepping up in the back row and is playing with confidence," said Tabor.
Athletic junior outside hitter Courtney Sumner can hit, leaps well, is very quick and highly competitive. A hustler, she can play all over the court and will do a bit of everything for Ada.
The versatile Sumner played a lot of defense and libero last year, but will be a primary outside hitter this season. "She and Selena are our top returning hitters," noted the coach.
Senior Selena Jordan is also expected to make significant contributions as an outside hitter. She started some last season and is a solid player. "She is one of our top hitters back," said Tabor.
Junior outside hitter/defensive specialist Amelia Alexander and sophomore DS Josie Phillips are expected to play key roles. "Amelia has really stepped up her back row defense," said the coach. "She plays with discipline and is a confident leader."
"Josie was our JV libero last year," Tabor noted. "We are looking forgood things from her this season." She added that the team is looking for a player to fill the key libero position.
Sophomore six-footer Daicy Robinson is one of many promising Bulldog middle hitter/blockers. "I am excited about our middles," said Tabor. "Daicy is our tallest player."
Freshman Lily Baumgartner is a promising 5-8 middle hitter expected to start. "Lily is a good athlete with heart and a lot of skill," noted Tabor.
Junior middle Emilee Huffer played mostly JV last year after seeing some varsity action at the very end of 2020. She is expected to make a key varsity contribution this fall.
Senior Alex Puerto (RS), junior Kaitlyn Bowden (DS), and freshmen Lexi Poling (DS) and Jenna Bassitt (DS) round out the 15-player varsity roster.
"Our goals are to be .500 or better overall, and to take one game at a time," said Tabor. "We want to give 100 percent effort every match. We have a very tough schedule, so being above .500 is a good goal."
As far as the Northwest Conference race goes, Tabor was reluctant to pick out a favorite or where Ada might fit in the league standings.
"There are a lot of really good teams in the NWC," she said. "Lincolnview, Crestview, Columbus Grove, Allen East and Bluffton all look good. It's a tough conference with a lot of girls back. I am not sure where Ada fits in."
Lincolnview (8-0) repeated as league champion last fall. Departed Paulding took second (7-1) and Crestview finished 6-2 to finish third. Bluffton, Columbus Grove and Allen East all tied for fourth at 4-4.
Ada was seventh at 2-6, followed by Delphos Jefferson (1-7) and Spencerville (0-8).
"We are a short team again," said Tabor of her team's possible weaknesses. "We lost a lot of back row defenders and need to work on that first pass. We need to improve our serve receive game.
"We have strong hitters and blockers," said Tabor of the squad strengths. "The girls get along and work well together. We have a lot of positive energy."
Several former Bulldog spike standouts round out the Ada staff. Kaiti Newland is the new JV coach, with Nicki Lehsten serving her first year as coach of the freshman squad. Olivia Alexander will guide the eighth graders, while Morgan Swick coaches the seventh grade squad.
In 2021, the purple and gold will face MAC power Coldwater and traditional foe Ben Logan in non-league action before serving up NWC play September 14 at two-time defending champ Lincolnview.
With many pandemic restrictions lifted, teams are allowed to play tri-matches this season. Thus Ada hosts local non-league rivals Waynesfield and Cory-Rawson Saturday, August 21 in the home opener.
The home league lidlifter is Sept. 21 vs. Bluffton.
If the young players and varsity newcomers develop rapidly, Ada could surprise in 2021.
Ada volleyball at a glance
2020 record: 11-12, 2-6 NWC (7th/9)
Head coach: Kyleigh Tabor, 4th year
Offense: 5/1
Letter winners back/lost: 4/4
Starters back/lost: 2/4
Top returnees: Sr. S Kirsten Poling, Jr. OH Courtney Sumner, Sr. OH Selena Jordan, Sr. DS Alexis White.
Top varsity newcomers: So. S Autumn Andreasan, Jr. Amelia Alexander, Jr. DS Josie Phillips, So. MH Daicy Robinson, Fr. MH Lily Baumgartner, Jr. MH Emilee Huffer.
