PREVIEW: Clay volleyball

Head coach Nicole Morrison enters her third season in charge of the Clay volleyball program with high hopes despite the loss of a very talented senior class.

“We're nowhere near where I think we can be yet, and that's what makes this season exciting,” she said. “I don't make predictions because we're a young team, but I believe we can be very competitive. It will depend on how quickly the younger players buy into the expectations and the culture that we have at Clay. This team has the opportunity to accomplish something special.”

Morrison has experienced nothing but success since she took over, producing a 35-12 record in two seasons. That includes back-to-back NLL Cardinal Division titles with a combined 20-0 record over that span. Last year’s team finished as the district runner-up to Anthony Wayne.

The Eagles graduated a six-player class that includes Youngstown State bound Hayden Rodriguez, who was the NLL’s Cardinal Division Player of the Year; University of Toledo bound Jadyn Kennedy, who was a First Team All-NLL selection and Maddie Franke, a First Team All-NLL honoree who will play softball at BGSU. On top of that, key contributors such as Leah Franke, Halle Brenot and Addie Hugueley are also gone.

“They were very instrumental in establishing our culture and the leadership that has become a hallmark of our program,” Morrison said. “They definitely leave some big shoes to fill. They were leaders, not just on the court athletically with volleyball, but they set very high standards academically for our program. They were good community citizens.”

Replacing them will be a seven-member senior class, although not all of them saw considerable time on varsity last year. Eme Goetz headlines the returners as the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) commit was a First Team All-NLL selection. Leah Hazuda is back after a Second Team All-NLL campaign, as well.

Other seniors include Audrey Vriezelaar, Brooklyn Mariea, Ava Wheeler, Maddison Drummond and Riley Mauder.

“It's a weird dynamic this year with so many seniors, and really, I only have four kids that I would say I coached last year,” Morrison said.

That group of four begins with Goetz, who is a three-year starter at outside hitter. She led the team with 356 kills last year at a .275 clip.

“She has a dynamic offensive game with a powerful jump serve,” Morrison said. “She displays outstanding leadership and sets the standard for our work ethic. She is super competitive.”

Hazuda was a six-rotation player last year, and she’ll do so again this year. She was third on the team in terminations with 122, and she was fourth on the team in digs with 125, which makes her Clay’s top returner in that category.

“She has one of the highest volleyball IQs of any player I've ever coached,” Morrison said. “She is an extremely hard worker and a tremendous leader on the court.”

Mariea is a middle blocker coming off a really strong club season.

“She played on a top area club team, and I’ve seen tremendous growth in her game,” Morrison said. “I’m excited to see that carry over.”

Finally, Vriezelaar is back at the pin after also enjoying a strong club season.

“She's impressed me this summer with her confidence, her maturity and her coachability,” Morrison said.

Aside from the senior group, there is a group of kids fighting for playing time, and Morrison believes the team’s culture is its biggest strength.

“We have high expectations, and our players embrace being coachable, working hard, competing every day and representing Clay volleyball the right way,” she said. “I also like our balance this year between experienced leaders and the talented young players that we're bringing on.”

Yet, Morrison knows it may not be smooth sailing.

“This team is going to challenge me as a coach, and I like that,” she said. “We have a great blend of experience and young talent. I'm excited to see where it takes us.”