This year’s season for the Nordonia Volleyball girls will begin with the first match against Woodridge High School at the Scrimmage event. This is to be held at the Nordonia High School in Macedonia, Ohio.
The Slogan for the Knights this year is “UKNIGHTED” and they will be led by a very experienced coach, Rocco Covelli. Covelli will be having his first year as the head coach of the Knights. He has a career record of 89-31 and three L.E.L. championships. He previously coached at Maple Heights High School.
Regarding the strengths of the team, Covelli said, “The strengths from last year are that I feel that the girls who were on varsity last year and the ones that should have gotten more experience last year have learned a lot from a disappointing season”.
He has also been putting the girls to work, as the program this season is so challenging.
The head coach and his coaching staff have been able to focus on working on establishing relationships with the girls on and off the court, as it was felt that the girls were very divided. Covelli said that “I feel like we have accomplished that this summer and are now ready to establish a new winning tradition”.
Root, a sophomore, had a successful club season last year and will hold a strong leadership role this season.
“Morgan Root leads the way as our setter.” Coach Covelli said, “She is the type of setter that a lot of people don’t believe in, but I do, and I feel she is going to be a very strong leader and contributor to our success.”
Highlighting key players for the team are Rylee Kinell, Madison Dupont, and Payton Oster, who the coach believes will have a great influence on the team’s success.
“All these girls are capable of leading us this year in kills. Rylee comes in as one of our most experienced players, and she is only a sophomore. She should really flourish in our new offense and have a great year. Madison was a serving specialist last year and led the team in aces, but we are expanding that role A lot, and we feel she could play all around and be very successful in that role. DG Warrior Payton Oster has been the surprise in the open gym. It just keeps getting better and better and should be a force on either side of the pins.”
The Coach appreciates the returning lettermen, Aleithia Wilson and Reese Knotts, as they will be employed in the middle due to their warrior instincts. Freshman Ady Lefeld will be joining Wilson and Knotts to form the backbone of the Nordonia Girls volleyball offense. This season, she will also play varsity and junior varsity. Seniors Reanna Turk and Alyssa Holeski, who is a Transfer student, will be playing a pivotal role on the right side and right back area. Riley Barwidi, who was one of the kill leaders last year, is in the front row. She is switching over to Libero and has taken over the role of court leader in the back row.
Covelli explained further the involvement some players will have both in JV and Varsity.
“Sophomores Nyjah and Olivia are expected to solidify the defensive back positions and will be contributing at both the JV and Varsity levels this year. We are also very excited about the continuous improvement in our Varsity 2, and we expect Juniors Kate Toker and Ella Semancik to make some impact this year at the Varsity level as well.”
Coach: Rocco Covelli
Last Season Record: 3-20
Returning Letterman: Aleithia Wilson (junior), Riley Barwidi (junior), Reese Knotts (junior), Rylee Kinnell (sophomore), Madison Dupont (sophomore)
Other Varsity Member: Reanna Turk (senior), Alyssa Holeski (senior), Payton Oster (junior), Olivia Wells (junior), Morgan Root (sophomore), Nyjah Russ (sophomore), Ady Lefeld (freshman)
Coach Quote: “We feel like with this new UKNIGHTED philosophy that we are going to put together a really exciting team that will go through some tough times, but will get stronger each and everyday and will surprise a lot of people this year in the volleyball world.”
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