St. John Tigers a prime CPL contender
BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
ST. JOHN – St. John Tiger volleyball coach Trish Wade has guided the Tigers to a proud winning tradition.
Wade, a Barton Cougar volleyball Hall of Famer, coached the Tigers to state volleyball titles in 2008 (43-2), 2010 (41-4) and 2011 (43-2). Dean Rausch coached the Tigers (32-1) to the 1993 state title.
Last year, the Tigers (29-8, 7-1 CPL) placed runner-up in the Central Prairie regular-season and tournament. The Tigers defeated Quinter 25-15, 25-15 and lost 25-5, 17-25, 25-20 to Spearville for a 1A state berth.
St. John’s veteran starters are Mia Meyer (457 serves received, 207 serves, 168 winners, 108 digs 50 blocks), Karly Rochenbach (289 serves, 196 assists, 183 serves received) and 6-foot-2 Lydia Reed (264 winners, 130 blocks).
“Mia Meyer is a great player,” said Wade. “She’s a strong leader with a lot of bounce, a big hammer in the middle. She sees the court very well. She‘s a big boost and energy girl on our team.”
Reed will be one of the dominant Central Prairie League players at the net.
“Lydia Reed will be a huge factor both offensive and defensively,” Wade said. “She led our team in solo blocks with 130 blocks. She can put the hammer down, so we’re looking forward to that. She’s going to be a problem for our opponents. We’re excited to see what she is going to bring -- Beast Mode.”
Rockenbach has recovered from an off-season foot injury.
“Karly was in a boot over the summer, so we we’re happy to have her back,” Wade said. “Karly Rockenbach is a consistent passer. She has great hands with the ability to put the ball where we need it.”
Three other players provided valuable court time – Gentri Bright (1,997 assists, 368 serves, 174 serves received, 48 winners, 27 blocks);
Averi Fisher (282 serves received, 227 serves, 71 digs) and Lily Brummer (163 serves received).
“Gentri Bright has great hands, footwork and can get to any ball we dig,” Wade said. “Her court awareness and knowledge is off the charts which sets her apart. She’s an asset offensively and defensively.”
Fisher and Brummer earned valuable experience last season.
“Averi Fisher is a good passer with quick feet and a strong court awareness,” Wade said. “She passes well and will be a defensive monster. We expect her to be passing and digging dimes.
“Lily Brummer did a terrific job on the right side and played secondary setter very well,” Wade said. “Lily is calm and a consistent athlete. She’s a smart player.”
Jorja Blakeslee will be a key serving specialist.
“She can serve up pretty nasty volleys,” Wade said. “She embraces her role.”
The Tigers expect to compete with Ellinwood for the Central Prairie League title.
“We’re going to be competitive. We’re looking forward to a great season,” Wade said. “We’re capable of doing great things against a good schedule. I expect us to be one of the top teams in our league. We’ll work our tails off to succeed in the post season.”
Wade, assisted by Taci Axman, has coached at St. John since 2006.
ST. JOHN ROSTER
SENIORS—11—Lydia Reed, 6-2, MB; 23—Jorja Blakeslee, 5-6
JUNIORS—1—Mia Meyer; 5—Karly Rochenbach, 5-5; 20—Averi Fisher, 5-3, DS
SOPHOMORES—2—Lily Brummer; 7—Allison Lopez; 13—Gentri Bright
NINTH-GRADERS--Yanelly Acosta; Jalyn Fisher
VOLLEYBALL
8-23—at Ingalls Jamboree/Liberal
9-3—at Halstead/Burrton
9-7—at Pratt Skyline Tournament
9-10—at Haven/Hoisington
9-12—at Garden Plain/Medicine Lodge
9-17—at Burrton/Macksville/Stafford
9-19—Nickerson/Kingman
9-24—at *Central Plains/*Ellinwood/*Kinsley
9-28—at Hoisington Tournament
10-1—at *Kinsley/*Macksville/*Victoria
10-8—at *Ness City/*Otis-Bison
10-12—Central Prairie at Hoisington
10-14—at Little River
10-15—La Crosse/Chase
10-21/22—at 1A regional
MACKSVILLE – Macksville’s senior class ended a nice run after 25-10 and 18-17 records the past two years. Macksville lost 25-18, 25-17 to Quinter after losing two 6-rotation starters to season ending injuries.
Macksville’s lone state volleyball appearance resulted in a third-place 1A finish in 2003.
Macksville head coach Jennifer Gillespie is assisted by Taylor Casper.
“The Macksville team looks to be competitive in the tough Central Prairie League” Gillespie said. “We want to continue our 3-year streak as Pawnee Heights tournament championship. We want to advance deep into the playoffs.”
Top returnees are 5-7 Laney Butler (128 serves received, 95 winners, 15 blocks); 5-5 Isabela Ortiz (548 assists, 272 serves, 115 digs, 44 winners, 13 blocks) and versatile 5-6 senior Morgan Sebes (229 serves, 66 digs, 41 winners, 25 assists).
Juniors Abagael Foster, Kira Figger and sophomores Kinzie Grizzell (78 digs, 72 serves) also played key roles last year.
“The Mustangs must replace four seniors and pivot to varsity contributors Morgan Sebes, Laney Butler, Isabela Ortiz, Kinze Grizzell, and Abagael Foster for leadership,” said Macksville coach Gillespie. “The Mustangs add senior Diana Ibarra to help set and hit outside. Adding depth will be Kira Figger, Ashtyn Foster, and Cecilia Brozek who return to accompany a large freshman class.”
MUSTANG VOLLEYBALL
SENIORS—4—Isabela Ortiz, 5-5, S/OH; 14—Laney Butler, 5-8, MH/OH; 45—Morgan Sebes, 5-6, MH/OH
Diana Ibarra, 5-4, S/OH
JUNIORS—22—Abagael Foster, 5-9, MH/OH; 3—Kira Figger, 5-3, OH/ DS; 6—Kinzie Grizzell, 5-3, OH/DS; Aylah Kolb, 5-3, DS
SOPHOMORES—24—Cecelia Brozek, 5-4, MH; Kinze Grizzell, 5-3, S/Libero; Ashtyn Foster, 5-5, OH; Macy Keenan, 5-4, S/MH
NINTH-GRADERS—Heidy Ortiz, 5-7, S/RH;Daniella Reyes Holguin, 5-10, MH/RH;
Charley Burr, 5-3, DS; Anilu Hernandez, 5-3, Libero; Anayah Marquez, 5-4, OH; Tamara Burns, 5-6, OH; Izabella Denio, 5-5, MH
MUSTANG VOLLEYBALL
8-30—at Ness City Jamboree
9-3—at Greensburg/Hodgeman County/Norwich
9-5—at *Otis-Bison, *La Crosse
9-10—at *Central Plains/*Ness City
9-12—Kinsley/Deerfield
9-17—at Burrton/St. John
9-21—at Rozel-Burdett Tournament
9-24—*at La Crosse/Otis-Bison
9-28—at Greensburg Tournament
10-1—at *Kinsley/*Victoria/*St. John
10-3—Macksville JV Tournament
10-8—*at Ellinwood/Chase
10-12—Central Prairie at Ellinwood
10-26—at 1A substate
