The Centerburg Trojans are coming off an 11-11 season in which they went 6-6 in KMAC play.
While it ended with a tough 3-2 playoff loss to Fairbanks, Coach Abigail Boudinot has her eyes set on big things, with a solid cast returning to the volleyball court.
“We had a very strong young team last year, and with only losing one starter, we are excited about what this year will hold,” Boudinot said. So far, the season has started with excitement as the Lady Trojans are off to a 2-0 start.
Stella Weisbrod, the team’s top outside hitter, returns to the Trojans for her junior season. She led the team last year with 222 kills. Weisbrod was the team leader with 36 service aces and tops in blocks with 51. She was one of the best defenders, with 248 digs. Senior middle hitter Gwyn Sands also returns after a nice year on the court with 153 kills. Both players were first-team KMAC All Conference.
Senior outside hitter Amani Marshall had 124 kills and was KMAC All Conference honorable mention.
Libero Eva Joering returns for her senior year and will be one of the top servers. Joering finished with 132 digs on defense. Kennedi Glenn returns for her senior year at setter, coming off a year where she had 132 digs. She was second-team KMAC All Conference.
“We have a lot of leaders in this group, which is exciting, but something that also needs [to be] tamed at times,” Boudinet said.
Boudinot is in her 16th year of coaching and her third at Centerburg. Her coaching system changes depending on the assets she has on the floor at the time. She said she thinks all coaches get their influence from their previous coaches and older coaches, and every year is a different team so their rallying cries and philosophies vary.
“That is something I have the players revisit every year,” Boudinot said. “I want it to be real, organic, and from them.”
The Lady Trojans started the season in gutsy style, coming from a set down to Westerville South in five sets at home on Aug. 20. Boudinot spoke highly of her opponent and her team.
“Westerville South has solid net play,” she said. “They made us work and adjust. It was an intense and fun match to play and watch! We played as a unit and brought it all together at the end. A great way to start the season."
Match number two ended in a 3-0 sweep of Northmor. The excitement and big things Boudinot has her eyes set on have just begun.
