Clarkston made a good improvement on the volleyball courts last winter, advancing by seven wins and shaving 10 losses in a 20-15-4 campaign. The change seemed short lived when the Wolves underperformed at the OAA tournament and were again bounced in the district playoffs.
The girls get a chance to redeem themselves this fall, albeit without some of last year’s components. Last year’s defensive specialist Amanda Byrd has moved on to the college ranks and sophomore Jennifer Coates is her planned replacement at libero. Coates is used to the position, having played it on junior varsity and with her club team.
‘She’s already used to the position and her responsibilities,? coach Kelly Avenall said. ‘She’s going to be one to watch for the next couple years.?
Coates also has a ‘killer jump serve,? Avenall said, which despite typically not allowing players to do, Coates has the green light.
What could hurt the Wolves more than graduating players from the team is the early loss of middle hitter Juliann Gillespie. Gillespie suffered a torn ACL in June and is expected to be in a brace at season’s beginning. Avenall is hoping to have the team’s strongest hitter back by October.
The return of setter Emily Parkin is a great benefit to the Wolves. Parkin suffered a minor setback in the preseason, but was expected to return by the beginning of the season.
Avenall brought Kelley Croll, Lauren Gardner and Alyssa Craft to the team as sophomores in the winter, which should benefit the girls this season as juniors. Gardner was used at several positions last year and is again expected to be an outside hitter.
‘She’s pretty comfortable with the speed of the game and what she’s doing,? Avenall said.
Avenall brought a freshman to the team, Allison Reis, who is an outside hitter. Reis should benefit greatly from her first year on the big squad.
The Wolves? next game is Thursday at Birmingham Seaholm at 7 p.m. Clarkston’s first home game is Sept. 11 against Farmington at 7 p.m.