After losing just two starters from a team that won more than 20 games last season, McAuley Catholic’s returning experience along with an infusement of young talent has the Warriors hopeful of not only repeating that success, but surpassing it in 2023.
“I am very excited for this season and to see what this team can do,” McAuley coach Sarah Nangle said to SoMo Sports. “We have a solid group of freshmen who are coming in and I think they will be a big support in practices and games for our starters. We did lose two major starters last year, but to return five starters is quite promising. This team is just a great group of girls that bond on and off the court and I believe that is a strength of our program.”
Highlighting the list of returners for McAuley are senior setter and outside hitter Kloee Williamson, senior middle and outside hitter Avery Gardner and senior middle hitter Kendall Ramsey.
“(Kloee) was a key hitter for us last year as well as a setter in the back row,” Nangle said. “She will be expected to fulfill this role again and she has done a great job stepping up in her leadership this summer. She has matured in her position as a senior and will be a key player for us.
“(Avery) is an all around great, solid and consistent player. She has so much heart and her work ethic is inspiring. She will be used in all positions on the front row as well as the back row and she will be a major leader for us on the court.
“(Kendall) is such an exciting player with some major ups. When she times it right, she has a great block and good arm swing.”
Also returning to the starting lineup is junior MH and RS Jadyn LaFerla as well as sophomore libero Brooke Righter.
“(Jadyn) played middle for us last year but will be stepping into the role of back row setter and then middle and right side,” Nangle said. “She has great hands and I am excited to see her come out and lead her team. She puts up our biggest block, so she will be an asset to us in the front row.
“Brooke has really stepped up this summer and will be fulfilling the role of our libero. She is a great sold passer and does well on defense. I am looking forward to her having more confidence on the back row this year.”
The youth movement at the varsity for McAuley this year includes freshman RS Isabella Gilligan, freshman RS Olivia Parrigon, freshman MH Sam Conrad, freshman Riley Sears and sophomore Kiera Mays.
“Returning five starters is a major strength for us,” Nangle said. “The seniors want this to be their best season, so they are doing a great job leading our team. (Our athleticism is our strength) but we need to make our volleyball technique sharper, so we are focusing on getting the basics down. I think doing this will help us to be consistent on our passing, setting, hitting and serving.”
With the numbers up and excitement sky high for the program, a path is set up for McAuley to reach and pass the bar set from last season.
The Warriors get their season started in the Verona Invitational on Aug. 26.
“Last season gave them confidence that if they work hard they can be successful,” Nangle said. “We have some great senior leadership and enthusiasm that is happening on the court this year and it is pushing everyone to work hard. We actually have a bench with substitutes that can come in and contribute to the starters so that is something new for me this year.”
Burch and both Teeters are expected to be key performers again this fall. Olivia Teeter finished 14th at last year’s COC tourney, while Burch tied for 17th and Alex Teeter tied for 23rd in the conference.