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Zoe Zwegat (pictured) has recorded 315 blocks in three |
The strength of The College of Wooster volleyball team this year will be on offense, specifically in the frontcourt, where its three most experienced players, seniors Paige Parker, Erica Skillman, and Zoe Zwegat, will be difference-makers at the outside, right side, and middle hitter positions, respectively, while a mix of other promising returners and first-years are ready to step into significant roles to help the Fighting Scots go after their seventh straight top-four finish in the North Coast Athletic Conference standings.
"This is the first time that we have had three seniors who are dominant in the frontcourt and that will score the majority of our points," said seventh-year head coach Sarah Davis. "If anybody is going to take a team to the next level, it's going be the seniors, and for us to have a three-headed attacking option like this is really going to be an advantage for us."
Parker led the entire league last year with 415 kills en route to her first all-North Coast Athletic Conference certificate (second-team), and she added 301 digs as well, despite having her back row opportunities limited due to a nagging injury. Now seemingly healthy, she should be able to utilize her entire arsenal, which includes an aggressive serve, making her one of the Scots' most valuable weapons.
"Paige is a very dynamic player, and is clearly our go-to attacker on the outside," said Davis. "Now that she's healthy, she is going to see an increased role on defense and in serve receive, which she has been working hard on in the offseason. If you ask me, I think her best may still be yet to come."
Skillman was equally as impressive on the right side, totaling 342 kills and 67 blocks, and she could be used some as a setter this year, a position she played in high school, to expand her presence on the court.
Zwegat, who was second-team all-conference as a sophomore, and is one of the best blockers in school history, had an ankle injury that sidelined her for six matches last season, but she still ranked second in the NCAC with 98 blocks and among the top-40 in NCAA Div. III in blocks per set (1.05). She seems poised for an uptick in kills this year after working on the offensive part of her game while studying abroad in Scotland.
Others that will add attacking depth are sophomore Lois Kimmel, a 6-0 middle hitter with excellent leaping ability, and junior Sarah Roth, who has the speed and lateral quickness to be an impact blocker.
It could be Rachel Sell shouldering the majority of the setting duties this fall, as the junior turned some heads while playing the position on the Scots' international service trip to Costa Rica during winter break. Local product Brittany Nicholson, who was the primary setter during the spring season while Sell was abroad, as well as Skillman, are also likely to factor in at the position.
"Rachel did really well for us during our international trip," said Davis. "She set the ball aggressively and looked very comfortable running the floor. And Brittany showed great leadership during the spring season. Those two are really pushing each other to get better."
The most obvious void in the Scots' lineup will be the one left by standout libero, and first-team Academic All-American®, Kelley Johnson. However, her presence on the court will be still be felt, as she accepted a position as an assistant coach with the team, and will work closely with its young group of defenders. Sophomore Kaitlin Banko has the most experience, and has shown a consistent serve and big-play ability when given opportunities, while newcomer Laura Sherer brings a fast, aggressive style to the back row.
Joining Sherer are three other strong recruits, who all possess a significant amount of upside as front frontcourt players, in Anna Emmick, Megan Mey, and Lydia Webster.