Lone Senior Leads Bobcats Volleyball Team

Tran Longmoore

After years of being one of the top teams in the Tri-County Conference, the Whiteford varsity volleyball team spent most of last year learning the ropes with a young team.

The team went 7-25-6 overall and 3-11 in the league. Coach Kathy Albers would like to improve on that mark, but once again, she’s guiding a very young squad.

All-TCC middle blocker Rebecca Groch is the team’s only senior. She can play anywhere on the court, but Albers wants her up front and in the middle, where she can block the league’s best hitters and find the floor with her spikes. A four-year member of the varsity team, Groch brings leadership and experience the team really needs.

The other captain is junior Paige White. White is a quick player who lines up as outside hitter. She’s also a very good setter.

Freshman Miranda Johnson will also set and be an outside hitter for the Bobcats. Albers likes her understanding of the game, quickness and strong hitting.

Juniors Amy Walker and Jaclyn Maloy, right side hitters, are both good blockers. Maloy also has a nice serve. Junior Cassi Haugen, a three-year varsity player, is a defensive stalwart and one of the team’s top servers.

Freshman Courtney Schroyer will be the team’s libero. She’s a quick player with good awareness and court movement.

“She just goes. There is no hesitation from her and she takes control in the back row,” she said.

Key players off the bench are Bethany Wingate, Leesa Rodgers and Alexa Long. Wingate is tall and provides good blocking ability at middle hitter. Rogers is another right side hitter who can provide back row defense. She’s also a good passer and server. Long’s forte is defense and serving.

Albers said she’d like to see her team improve its serve reception and show more killer instinct on offense.  Her Bobcats are quick, hit hard and have good team unity.

“This season will be a success if we continue to play as a team and continue to improve on our passing,” Albers said.