VALLEY SPORTS REPORT: TIOGA'S HOWEY, ATHENS' RYAN SHARE VOLLEYBALL 'PLAYER OF YEAR' HONORS; TIOGA'S VANCE, FORD ALSO EARN TOP HONORS (2022-11-25)
Valley Sports ReportTHE VALLEY — Tioga senior
Reese Howey and Athens senior
Jenny Ryan are two of the more physically-gifted and well-rounded players in the region this season, and are the 2022
Valley Sports Report Volleyball “
Co-Players of the Year.”
Tioga junior
Megan Vance is “
Newcomer of the Year,” and Tioga's
Des Ford is the “
Coach of the Year.”
Howey, a powerful hitter with impeccable timing on blocks, is a force at the net, but also one of Tioga’s best players in the back row.
On the season, Howey had 166 service points, 128 kills, 82 blocks, 42 setter assists, and 146 digs. She was also among the team leaders in digs, and was a capable setter when needed.
Like Howey, Ryan is a powerful hitter with big hops. She is also a smooth setter and a team general.
Ryan had 325 setter assists, and 153 service points, including 44 service aces this season, to go along with 120 kills, 30 blocks, including 11 solo blocks, and 200 digs.
A typical Tioga player, Vance is an asset all over the floor. She is a force at the service line, and improved at the net as the season progressed. Vance had 130 points, 75 kills, and 30 digs.
Ford directed the Lady Tigers to a Section IV, Class D title — her seventh Section IV title since 2009, and ninth of her career.
Tioga was 15-2 in the regular season, with both losses coming in five sets, then went on to win the overall IAC Small School title, the Class D title, and one match in the state playoffs, before falling to defending state champion Mount Academy, which went on to repeat.
Tioga finished the season at 19-3.
Ford, who just finished her 37th year at Tioga, has a record of 224-39 since 2009.
"All-Valley Volleyball First Team"
Jenny Ryan, senior, Athens: See above.
Reese Howey, senior, Tioga: See above.
Lillie Kirk, sophomore, Waverly: A well-rounded player, Kirk is a dynamic hitter, strong at the service line, and adept in the back row.
She had 141 service points, including 38 aces, 143 digs, 84 kills, and four blocks on the season.
Kyra Bailey, senior, Tioga: Another well-rounded player, Bailey is a smooth setter and team leader, and also adept at hitting.
Bailey had 241 points, 322 setter assists, 131 digs, 36 kills, and five blocks on the season.
Michaela Lauper, senior, Waverly: Strong at the service line, and an adept defender, Lauper is at her best when setting.
She had 303 setter assists, 144 service points, including 41 aces, 164 digs, and 15 kills.
Audrey Clare, senior, Athens: Clare is especially strong at the net, and is pretty good everywhere else on the court as well.
She had 146 kills, and 13 blocks, as well as 141 service points, including 23 aces, 141 digs, and 41 assists.
Hailey Browne, senior, Tioga: A bit on the streaky side, Browne is a dominant hitter when she is on. She is also consistently strong at the service line. Browne had 114 points, 158 kills, two blocks, 140 digs, and five assists.
"The Second Team"
Brilynn Belles, freshman, Waverly: Belles is a consistent contributor at the service line, and in the back row.
She had 192 service points, including 94 aces, 220 digs, 22 assists, and 39 kills.
Kassie Babcock, sophomore, Athens: Babcock is a jumping-jack at the net, and a good defender in the back row.
She had 105 service points, including 24 aces, 187 digs, 78 kills, one block, and five setter assists.
Gabby Shaw, senior, Sayre: A consistent presence at the net, Shaw had 85 kills, 14 blocks, 44 digs, and 71 service points, including 24 aces.
Erica Ryck, junior, Waverly: Ryck is a consistent performer all over the floor for the Lady Wolverines.
She had 127 service points, including 59 aces, 84 kills, three blocks, and 123 digs.
Elizabeth Boyle, senior, Sayre: A strong setter and defender, Boyle had 298 setter assists, 89 service points, including 31 aces, 173 digs, and 22 kills.
Peyton Shaw, junior, Waverly: A steady presence at the net for the Lady Wolverines, Shaw had 86 kills and 12 blocks, to go along with 52 service points, including 18 aces, 17 digs, and four assists.
Maddison Belles, senior, Sayre: A good all-around athlete, Belles did a little bit of everything for the Lady Redskins. She had 64 kills and one block, to go along with 106 points, including 32 aces, and 155 digs.
2022 Top Newcomers
Megan Vance, junior, Tioga: See above.
Ashlen Croft, junior, Waverly: One of the most improved players in the region, Croft had 83 service points, including 34 aces, 77 kills, eight blocks, and 18 digs.
Maddie Olmsted, sophomore, Waverly: Olmsted made an immediate impact for the Wolverines this season with her ability to play all over the floor. She had 129 points, including 35 aces, 14 kills, 95 digs, 13 setter assists
Layni Whitmore, junior, Tioga: Whitmore made her presence known at the service line, and at the net at times this season. She had 82 points, 59 kills, 22 blocks, and 37 digs.
Keaton Wiles, sophomore, Athens: Wiles came on strong at the end of the season for the Lady Wildcats. She had 31 service points, including eight aces, 53 kills, four blocks, 42 digs, and two assists.
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IN PHOTO: Athens senior Jenny Ryan and Tioga senior Reese Howey.
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VOLLEYBALL “PLAYERS OF THE YEAR”2022 — Jenny Ryan, Athens / Reese Howey, Tioga
2021 — Julia Bellis, Tioga
2020 — Leah Liechty, Athens / Kayleigh Miller, Athens
2019 — Chloe Croft, Waverly
2018 — Sydney Meyers, Waverly
2017 — Martha Schumacher, Tioga
2016 — Olivia Howland, Tioga
2015 — Malley Bowen, Tioga
2014 — Malley Bowen, Tioga
2013 — Bry Godfrey, Tioga
2012 — Bry Godfrey, Tioga
2011 — Jess Ramsey, Tioga
2010 — Kay Pfleghardt, Tioga
2009 — Becca Saggiomo, Athens
