By Cort Reynolds
ADA - The deep Ada varsity volleyball team enters its third season under head coach Kyleigh Tabor looking to return to the upper echelon of the Northwest Conference this fall.
Four letter winners and three starters return from last year's squad that finished 10-13 overall and lost to Arlington in the sectionals. The Lady Bulldogs also finished 2-6 in the nine-team league standings.
Versatility will be a key for the Lady Bulldogs, who are not very tall but boast a lot of good, competitive athletes who are positionally interchangeable.
The Bulldogs will employ a 6-2 offense this season, with junior Kirsten Poling and well-rounded senior Miranda Wills sharing the important duty of setting up their teammates, led by two-time all-league middle blocker/hitter Megan Light.
"We have six seniors, a lot of versatility and a strong freshman group," Tabor said. "We will dress 13 players. Several girls will be able to play all the way around.
"But we want to create a triangle around Megan, Miranda and Kirsten."
Light is back to lead the squad after earning first team All-NWC honors in 2018 and 2019.
A smart player at 5-11, she is the second-tallest Bulldog and the team's surest hitter, as well as its top returning blocker along with Poling.
Last year, Light became even more valuable by improving her defensive skills which enabled her to stay in the game throughout all rotations, including the back row.
Hustler extraordinaire senior Wills will be an outside hitter as well as setter. A maximum effort battler, the fiery senior leads by hard-charging example and constant vocal encouragement to her teammates.
"Miranda does everything well and is a great hustler," said Tabor.
Lanky junior setter/middle hitter Kirsten Poling is a solid athlete and quietly dogged competitor. The long-armed junior has good timing on blocks and did a solid job blocking/setting last season. She is expected to keep improving this season.
Senior outside hitter Kylie Acheson started some last year and is another key player who is well-rounded enough to play through all rotations.
Senior Kiersten Cortez and junior Alexis White will share time at defensive specialist.
Athletic sophomore DS/libero Courtney Sumner can hit, leaps well, is very quick and highly competitive. she can play all over the court. Junior Selena Jordan is also expected to make significant contributions as a hitter.
Seniors Leona Dalton, Grace Allison, sophomore Amelia Alexander (OH/S) and promising freshmen Olivia Burkhart (DS/OH) and Josie Phillips could also contribute.
The busy Alexander will play JV, dress varsity and also run cross country this fall.
"Our goals are to be above .500 and to try and win the conference," said Tabor. "We have three experienced hitters, led by Megan.
"Defense and serve receive are what we focus on. We have a lot of versatility.
"Being a shorter team we need to work on blocking," said Tabor. "We were the shortest team in the NWC last season but have a bit more size than last season with 6-0 freshman Daicy Robinson.
"She might help our hitting and blocking," said Tabor. "We need to focus on putting kills away. But we have kids who work well together and have a positive attitude."
"We need to be quicker and to replace graduated libero Kendal Guagenti," she noted. "Right now we do not have a clear-cut libero, but we have many candidates."
Lincolnview (8-0) is the defending league champion, while their backyard rival Crestview finished 7-1 in 2019 to finish second.
"Lincolnview has four four-year starters back," Tabor noted. "The league is very deep and competitive, but they are the favorites. Crestview, Columbus Grove, Bluffton, Paulding and Allen East all look good, too. You can't take anyone lightly."
Former junior high coach Kristie Winkeljohn moves up to become junior varsity coach this season. Former Ada libero Olivia Alexander will coach the freshman squad after coaching junior high last year.
In 2020, the purple and gold will face a solid non-league schedule as they take on MAC foe Coldwater, talented Leipsic, Ottoville and perennial power Ben Logan as well. This should help prepare them for the tough NWC battles.
LCC and the Cory-Rawson Invitational also highlight the slate, and traditional arch-rival USV is back on the schedule as well in the regular season finale.
The Lady Bulldogs appear to boast a deep roster of skilled, competitive and versatile players who could surprise this season and contend for their first league title since 2017.
Ada volleyball at a glance
2019 record: 10-13, 2-6 NWC (7th)
Head coach: Kyleigh Tabor, 3rd year
Offense: 6/2
Letter winners back/lost: 4/4
Starters back/lost: 3/3
Volleyball team
The Ada varsity volleyball team, from left, front: Kiersten Cortez, Kylie Acheson, Grace Allison, Megan Light, Miranda Wills, Leona Dalton.
Row 2: Josie Phillips, Alexis White, Amelia Alexander, Courtney Sumner, Olivia Burkhart.
Back: varsity head coach Kyleigh Tabor, Kirsten Poling, Daicy Robinson, Selena Jordan, JV coach Kristie Winkeljohn, freshman coach Olivia Alexander.
