FROM THE PRESS BOX: A CRYSTAL BALL LOOK AHEAD TO THE 2023 VOLLEYBALL SEASON (2022-11-25)

Three of the four Valley volleyball teams reached the postseason, with Tioga winning a Section IV title, and reaching the Class D state quarterfinals.

Waverly reached the Section IV, Class C semifinals, and Athens won its last three matches of the regular season to qualify for the District 4, Class AA playoffs, where it won one match before falling in the semifinals.

Sayre, meanwhile, failed to win a match, but showed improvement.

What does the 2023 season hold in store? Well, I’ve dusted off, and fired up the crystal ball, and while the season is still more than 8 1/2 months away, I can get a glimpse of next fall.

Athens Lady Wildcats: Athens will graduate five seniors from a 9-9 team, including a trio of impact players in Jenny Ryan, Audrey Clare, and Cassy Friend.

The Lady Wildcats will bring back a trio of juniors-to-be in Kassie Babcock, Ella Coyle, and Keaton Wiles next year, and a number of players who saw limited action this season.

Athens potentially has a large number of freshmen-to-be coming up from the junior high program that could offer some immediate help, but odds are coach Heather Hanson will need to mold what she needs from those returning from the current varsity and JV teams.

Prediction: Hanson has proven she can get the most out of what she has, as evidenced by this year’s late-season run to qualify for the postseason. She will have a lot of needs to fill in 2023, and it may be a building year. … 2023 record: 7-11.

Sayre Lady Redskins: Despite an 0-18 record, I think first-year coach Severin Barbagallo did a pretty good job this season with the Lady Redskins. They played hard in every match, and took Athens to five sets.

Sayre graduates seven seniors, and will return just two players — juniors-to-be Abbie McGaughey and Raegan Parrish — that saw any significant action.

Prediction: There’s a long road ahead in terms of a re-build, and with a lot new faces in the line-up in 2023, I don’t expect a massive turnaround. 2023 record: 2-16.

Tioga Lady Tigers: Tioga will graduate a handful of seniors, led by Reese Howey, Kyra Bailey and Hailey Browne, from its Section IV championship team, but longtime coach Des Ford always does a good job of getting playing time for those who be returning.

The group returning will be led by Megan Vance, Layni Whitmore, Lily Mesler, and Joslyn Maciak, who all saw a lot of time in Tioga’s rotation.
 
Ford will also get re-enforcements from an unbeaten JV team, led by RaeAnne Feeko and Kali Bailey.

Prediction: Ford has built the premier program among Small Schools in Section IV. … I’m not sure Tioga can replicate its postseason success in 2023, but I also don’t see a Class D school ready to step up and knock them off their perch. … 2023 record: 16-2.

Waverly Lady Wolverines: The Lady Wolverines graduate just one senior from a 16-1 team, and returns Lillie Kirk, Brilynn Belles, Erica Ryck, Payton Shaw, Ashlen Croft, and Maddy Olmsted.

Natalie Lauper and Lainey Teeter, who saw some time off the bench, will also return next year, and Meyers will likely get a few re-enforcements from a .500 JV team.

Coach Charity Meyers will need to replace setter Michaela Lauper, and find a couple more contributors in her rotation.

Prediction: Waverly could be even better in 2023 than it was in 2022, but it may not be reflected in its record. I’ll take a shot, and say Waverly reaches the Section IV, Class C championship game. … 2023 record: 16-2.