Stritch volleyball hoping to peak as it enters the stretch run

Press Sports Editor
sports@presspublications.com

At 14-4 and 5-2 in the Toledo Area Athletic Conference, Cardinal Stritch girls volleyball is hoping to enter the stretch run on a high note.
The Cardinals, whose two league losses have come to Ottawa Hills, are in the midst of a successful season. Led by the likes of Layla Cathers, Carlie White, Olivia Ford and Ryley Rodriguez, Stritch is hoping to peak when the postseason arrives.
Stritch is doing this without any big hitters, as the tallest player on the team is Cathers, who is 5-7.
Cathers, Kendra Geisbuhler and Elena Rodriguez are the three seniors on the team.
“It’s been a process,” said Stritch coach Logan Manders, who is assisted by Brittany LeGare and Alexa St. Julian. “We have many younger players that have grown into their roles.”
Manders has coached all across the spectrum of the sport, from school to travel to beach to adult leagues for just over two decades.
Before taking the job at Stritch, Manders, who played volleyball at Defiance College, coached JV and junior high volleyball at Whitmer, her alma mater.
“We have to continue growing and being positive,” she said. “We hope to finish the season on a high note. Our entire season has been a sweet success. We have played hard all season and I am excited to see how we round out for the rest of our run.”
Cathers leads the team in kills with 143, White is first in blocks (16), Ford leads the team in assists (294) and Ryley Rodriguez is first in digs (124).
The rest of the team includes Eliyah Pecina, Kennedy Burzynski, Gianna DeGasto, Morgan Kennedy and Jasmine Peek.
Manders counts the 3-1 win over Toledo Christian as the highlight of the season. The two teams split both matches last year.
“Beating TC was a huge win for us; we battled back after dropping the first set. We worked together as a unit, (though) at first we struggled with communication, but we pulled together to win the next three sets. It is hard to point out one person who stepped up as it was a team effort,” Manders said. “Defensively, our team stepped up and carried us to that win. Carlie White really adjusted to going up against big blockers in the middle and found soft spots in their defense. Layla and Gabby Cathers moved their swings around and used the blocks they were up against. Olivia Ford did really well at tracking the ball and setting up our hitters to allow them to do what they do best.
“The girls have had their ups and downs but have enjoyed the season. The coaches have loved watching the upperclassman take on leadership roles and the underclassman improve their confidence and skills,” Manders said.
“Eliyah Pecina has stepped up for both JV and varsity in the last few games. It has been great to see her grow in confidence as she has found her groove,” Manders said. “Jasmine Peek has grown as a leader on the court and continues to step up when we need her. Defensively, Kennedy Burzynski, Morgan Kennedy and Elena Rodriguez have all been putting in the work at practice and it is showing come game time.”
Last season, the Cardinals lost, 3-0, to Lakota in a Division IV sectional final.
Now, because there are seven divisions in the state, Stritch will compete in Division VII.
The tournament brackets can be found on the OHSAA's website.