PREVIEW: Northwood volleyball

Northwood head volleyball coach Nayvee Dewar is excited about how her team will flourish throughout the upcoming season, especially considering she has coached her current group of seniors since seventh grade.

“This is probably going to be one of my most emotional years coaching just because I had them when they were babies,” Dewar said. “To just be able to be there for some of their improvements, off and on the court, I’m very excited for this group of seniors and this whole group in general.”

The team has all its starters returning from last season, as there were no seniors on last year’s squad. One returner Dewar mentioned is senior defensive specialist Ryan Arthur, who is one of the leaders in the back row.

Along with Arthur, Dewar pointed out sophomore Ella Partin as another strong back row player, as well as one of the seven seniors on this year’s squad, Marissa Gutekunst, who is expected to make a significant impact on the season.

“She [Gutekunst] is good all-around,” Dewar said. “I can pretty much put her wherever I need to and she will get the job done, fulfill her duties and also be supportive with her team.”

Other seniors expected to contribute are Madison Huenefeld, Rheya Rodriguez, Erika Pasco, Carly Derr and Stritch transfer Hayden Mathena.

“I’m expecting a lot from them,” Deward said of the senior group. “We have a lot of talent, and our energy grooving with each other is very good. I’ve been impressed with how they’ve been playing and talking to each other.”

Dewar is anticipating major contributions from junior setter Olivia Eischen.

“She has a lot of talent,” Dewar said. “She just has a lot of awareness on the court and just knows the game very well.”

Eischen is joined by Camryn Haas and Averey Perlaky in the junior class. Partin is joined by Kayla Schlegel and Amaya Dixon in the sophomore group.

“Averey has a lot of power,” Dewar said. “She’s getting to the point that she knows what to do with it and is becoming very successful.”

Being conscious on the court is one of the key factors Dewar has reiterated, and she feels her team is succeeding in that aspect.

“Something I try to really get them to understand is what their intentions are when they’re touching the ball every time,” Dewar said. “I think that’s one of their strengths for sure.”