Hornets to grow in Pew Year 2
Volleyball team has a bit more experience this time around
In Year 2 under coach Jenna Pew, Highland’s volleyball team is looking to take big steps forward. Photo by courtesy of Highland athletics
When Jenna Pew took over Highland’s volleyball program a year ago, she basically was starting from scratch. The Hornets had no experience and sometimes that showed.
This year most of Highland’s varsity roster has a year under Pew and all of the Hornets have been in the system. Now the second-year coach is hoping to see some results.
“I’m really excited about having some returners this year because last year I don’t think we had any returners in our program,” Pew said. “I’m excited that they’ve had the experience and they know a little bit more about me and my coaching styles.
“We have a strong senior class that I think is capable of leading this team to some successful outcomes this year.”
In Pew’s first year, with an entirely rebuilt roster that at times had five sophomores in the lineup, the Hornets finished 4-19 overall, 3-9 in the Suburban League American Conference, which left them in fifth place in the six-team league.
The Hornets lost three players to graduation, as Jenna Saunders, Julie Redman and Brittany Fleischer moved on. Most of Pew’s line-up, though, is back this year. They took a few lumps in 2016.
Pew has five seniors this year, including outside hitter Alyssa Sabol, libero Sarah Lyons and outside/middle hitter Madison Sima, all varsity veterans. Outside hitters Tessa Adams and Olivia Severyn are first-year varsity seniors.
The strength of the team is in the junior class, with all five members having played a year ago. Outside hitters Hannah Zuro, Lexi Sir Louis, and Mallory Doak return along with setter Allayna Wirebaugh and middle hitter Madison Zelinski.
Three sophomores will see their first varsity time this year. Defensive specialist Anna Lanier, sophomore defensive specialist, setter Alaina Scavuzzo, and outside hitter Miranda Bush all will contribute.
Lanier and Scavuzzo come from an unbeaten freshman team in 2016. Pew kept her youngsters together so they could experience success as a group.
“We know they have the winning attitude,” she said. “I’m excited to have them for a few years in the varsity program.”
As for the rest of the Hornets, they learned last year what Pew expected from them. There should be no surprises this fall.
“I bring a different energy level,” she said. “I’ve heard some comparisons from old to new coach and we have different styles and philosophies. The girls had to adapt just like any team to a new coaching practice.”
The Hornets opened the season with three losses before bouncing back to beat solid Norwayne and Cloverleaf squads. All five matches were non-league affairs.
Schedule highlights the rest of the way include games against defending SL-American champ Revere (Aug. 31, away; Sept. 26, home) and the Jackson Invitational (Sept. 16).
“Honestly, who’s on my radar right now is Tallmadge, Aurora and Kent Roosevelt, just based on what I’ve seen this summer and who’s returning from last year,” Pew said.
The Hornets will again be in the Strongsville Division I District, where they will face an uphill climb against the likes of Brunswick, Strongsville, North Royalton and Wadsworth.
This year most of Highland’s varsity roster has a year under Pew and all of the Hornets have been in the system. Now the second-year coach is hoping to see some results.
“I’m really excited about having some returners this year because last year I don’t think we had any returners in our program,” Pew said. “I’m excited that they’ve had the experience and they know a little bit more about me and my coaching styles.
“We have a strong senior class that I think is capable of leading this team to some successful outcomes this year.”
In Pew’s first year, with an entirely rebuilt roster that at times had five sophomores in the lineup, the Hornets finished 4-19 overall, 3-9 in the Suburban League American Conference, which left them in fifth place in the six-team league.
The Hornets lost three players to graduation, as Jenna Saunders, Julie Redman and Brittany Fleischer moved on. Most of Pew’s line-up, though, is back this year. They took a few lumps in 2016.
Pew has five seniors this year, including outside hitter Alyssa Sabol, libero Sarah Lyons and outside/middle hitter Madison Sima, all varsity veterans. Outside hitters Tessa Adams and Olivia Severyn are first-year varsity seniors.
The strength of the team is in the junior class, with all five members having played a year ago. Outside hitters Hannah Zuro, Lexi Sir Louis, and Mallory Doak return along with setter Allayna Wirebaugh and middle hitter Madison Zelinski.
Three sophomores will see their first varsity time this year. Defensive specialist Anna Lanier, sophomore defensive specialist, setter Alaina Scavuzzo, and outside hitter Miranda Bush all will contribute.
Lanier and Scavuzzo come from an unbeaten freshman team in 2016. Pew kept her youngsters together so they could experience success as a group.
“We know they have the winning attitude,” she said. “I’m excited to have them for a few years in the varsity program.”
As for the rest of the Hornets, they learned last year what Pew expected from them. There should be no surprises this fall.
“I bring a different energy level,” she said. “I’ve heard some comparisons from old to new coach and we have different styles and philosophies. The girls had to adapt just like any team to a new coaching practice.”
The Hornets opened the season with three losses before bouncing back to beat solid Norwayne and Cloverleaf squads. All five matches were non-league affairs.
Schedule highlights the rest of the way include games against defending SL-American champ Revere (Aug. 31, away; Sept. 26, home) and the Jackson Invitational (Sept. 16).
“Honestly, who’s on my radar right now is Tallmadge, Aurora and Kent Roosevelt, just based on what I’ve seen this summer and who’s returning from last year,” Pew said.
The Hornets will again be in the Strongsville Division I District, where they will face an uphill climb against the likes of Brunswick, Strongsville, North Royalton and Wadsworth.