The Cardington-Lincoln volleyball team was the top team in the KMAC last year with an 11-1 conference record while going 21-4 overall, earning a District championship before losing in the Regional semifinal. The Lady Pirates look to springboard from there, and coach Ryan Treese feels the team will be able to build off what was a highly successful season.
“We return eight girls that played in that Regional semifinal game,” Treese said about the season finale they lost, in what was a tight match that went five sets. “Last year was our third straight district final appearance also. We know that we are that close to making it down to Wright State for the Final Four.”
Treese has coached Cardington-Lincoln for the past five years and has amassed a 75-26 record. Treese encourages his players to make their marks and often takes a back seat to let the girls play.
“Last year was different from any year I have coached,” Treese said. “I had stepped aside during games and gave the girls more power during the match. If you have ever watched a Penn State women's volleyball match, (coach) Russ Rose sits there and takes notes and says very little. I want the girls to not have pressure from me; they have enough going on during the match.”
Treese said the team focuses on the word “finish,” and to “make your mark.” He said that team has been known to go into the hallway behind the locker room to dance and listen to music as a form of camaraderie-building through non-related volleyball activity.
Returning to the squad this year is senior outside hitter Audrey Brininger, who was the kills leader with 412 and was the KMAC Player of the Year last season. Brininger was also second on the team with 193 digs.
Cadie Long, a senior libero (back-row defensive specialist with a special jersey who can move around for defensive hits), was also a first team All-Conference player.
Outside hitter and defensive specialist Payton Goodman returns for her senior season and is coming off a year in which she was second on the team in kills with 197.
Senior middle hitter Izzy Wickline returns after a season in which she was third on the team with 162 kills. She also led the defense with 85 blocks. Wickline was named second team All-Conference.
Jadine Mills comes back for her senior season as the setter. She led the Lady Pirates with 63 service aces last year. Mills also had 144 digs, good for third on the team. She was a second team All-Conference player.
“I have seven seniors and one junior in the rotation right now,” Treese said. “Leaders right now are Jadine Mills, Audrey Brininger and Cadie Long. But the other four seniors are also leaders in their own way. Most improved from last year is senior Alexis Crone, who is a middle hitter, and the only full match that she played last season was the Regional semi due to a player not attending the game.”
Some players that have shown improvement this preseason are hitter Lily Clark and Madison Linkous, whose back-row play has stepped up compared to last season, Treese said. He said Linkous is a weapon attacking out of the back row.
Young players who could see some action include sophomores Rylee Donkin at defensive specialist and middle hitter Madison Caulkins, who will bring her height to the court as she stands at 6-foot-1.
The team has a tough non-league schedule in which it will have the chance to play five Division I schools, including Big Walnut and Pickerington North.
The season is under way for the Lady Pirates Next up is a home match against Northridge-Johnstown at 11:15 a.m. on Aug. 20. Cardington-Lincoln will then travel to Fredericktown for a conference matchup on Aug. 23 at 6:30 p.m.
