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Driven by experience, enthusiasm, JFK girls volleyball aiming high
 | | "BUMP" IT UP...John F. Kennedy senior outside hitter Dana Thompson will be one of several key returnees playing for the Lady Bears' varsity volleyball team. (Times photo) |
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After losing just one senior from last season's roster, the John F. Kennedy girls varsity volleyball team appears ready to make a run at the Erie County Interscholastic Conference-IV title, as the Lady Bears boast a solid mix of upperclassmen and newcomers.
JFK finished 8-9 in 2005, losing to Cassadaga Valley in the first round of the Section VI playoffs.
This fall, the Lady Bears return seven seniors and several promising underclassmen. JFK head coach Mark Gedeon listed senior outside hitter Dana Thompson, as well as senior defensive specialist Jen Wesolowski, junior setter Walain Melendez and sophomore middle hitter Kristy Dauer, as his team's top returning players.
Senior middle hitter Holly Podniesinski, who returns to the Lady Bears' volleyball squad after missing the last two seasons with knee injuries, has impressed Gedeon so far with her enthusiasm and hustle.
"We've got some really good role players on the team," said Gedeon, who is entering his fifth season as JFK's coach. "We have strengths in our numbers and we have players with different skills. Overall, it's a good mix of upperclassmen and underclassmen."
Part of the balance Gedeon was referring to includes a starting lineup that will likely feature three seniors or juniors and three sophomores.
JFK opens its season next Thursday at home against Iroquois, with match time scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Gedeon listed perennial power Eden, as well as Alden and Holland, as his team's toughest opponents in ECICIV heading into this season.
Thompson said the Lady Bears have a good chance at a winning record at least in league play this fall.
"Obviously, Eden is strong, and Alden is always good, but I think we can play those teams tough this year," Thompson said. "We just want to go out and get wins."
Podniesinski said she wants to put her previous injuries to rest and end her senior year on a positive note.
"I want to help us reach all of our team goals, and I want to leave with good memories," said Podniesinski.
Cheektowaga Central
The Lady Warriors enter this spring with relatively high expectations, one season after Central went 8-4 in ECIC-III play and advanced to the Class B semifinals, before losing to powerhouse Eden.
Cheektowaga is coached by Dennee Hickson and returns seniors Jamie Jankowski (captain), Stephanie Milligan, Caitlin Loftus, Brittany Balser, Samantha Fallacaro, and Amanda Gibson, as well as sophomores Taylor Pagano and Kim Hlavaty.
The Lady Warriors open their season Wednesday at home against nonleague opponent Grand Island, with match time scheduled for 5 p.m.
Maryvale
After suffering through the growing pains of an 0-11 season in ECICIII with many underclassmen seeing action, the Lady Flyers are hoping to take that experience and translate it into a decent campaign this fall.
Maryvale head coach Jen Wierzbicki returns to lead the Lady Flyers, which bring back several young but talented players.
Wierzbicki said Maryvale's offense will revolve around sophomore middle hitter Rebecca Dennee, who ranked among the team leaders in kills last season.
"She'll be huge," Wierzbicki said of Dennee, who is a tri-captain along with junior outside hitter Amanda Pinak and senior setter Mary Hager. "She's very talented, and I'd venture to say I would expect her to be honored in some way by the end of the season."
Other players Wierzbicki listed as having potential for big seasons were Pinak, Hager, sophomore defensive specialist Tara Woods and sophomore outside hitter Bailey Baron. Maryvale's other returnees include sophomore middle hitter Breanna Fenski and junior middle hitter Randi Barczykowski.
Wierzbicki said her team is capable of making a solid playoff run this fall.
"We're definitely aiming to go further in sectionals," Wierzbicki told the Times. "The girls look solid and they're a year stronger."
Depew
The Lady Wildcats return seven players from last season's roster, including seniors Jessica Sisti, Lindsay Schroeder, Angela Nolan, Vanessa Zwara, Ashley Schunk, Marissa Kicak and Janessa Pagliaccio.
Depew is coached by Jeff Addessa and opens its season Tuesday at home against ECIC-III opponent Springville. Match time is scheduled for 5 p.m.
Boys Volleyball
Cheektowaga Central
The Warriors are looking to ease into a rebuilding process this fall, as the locals graduated eight seniors from last season's 19-4 club which advanced to the Class B championship match.
Jon Marcussen returns for his 16th season as Cheektowaga's head coach. He listed junior setter/outside hitter Doug Martin, who saw extensive playing time last fall as a sophomore, and seniors Andre McGhee (outside hitter) and Josh Loucks (libero) as his top returnees.
Juniors Craig Ryan (middle hitter) and Mark Mingle (outside hitter) played well on the junior varsity last season and are also players who Marcussen said could stand out this season.
"We're definitely going to be more a defensive team this year," Marcussen told the Times. "We don't have the size we've had in years past, but we've got solid athletes and a strong back line...We might struggle a little bit, but I'm excited for the future. That being said, we can still make a push into the playoffs."
The locals also return seniors Dan Dudziak (outside hitter), outside hitter Chris Joya, Adam Solveson and middle hitter Tom Sherrer.
Marcussen said Maroon Madness rival Maryvale, which lost two close matches to the Warriors last season, will be one of his team's toughest opponents, outside of Eden.
"Coach Keller has done a very good job with their program," Marcussen said of the cross-town rivals' coach. "Maryvale's got a lot of power. They've got good hitters and they always give us a run for our money. They're one of our big rivals and the matches are always fun."
Central opens its season Tuesday at home against non-league opponent Clarence, with match time scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
Maryvale
The Flyers are coming off a successful season in which they went 8-4 in ECIC-III and lost a hardfought Class B semifinal match against Eden.
Maryvale, which is coached by Erik Keller, has to adjust to losing five seniors from last season's roster. The locals return middle hitter, Tom Brado, setter Matt Bunting, defensive specialist Peter Griffin and outside hitter Jeff Gutmann.
Depew
Depew finished in the middle of the ECIC-III league in 2005, losing to Eden in the Class B quarterfinals after winning its first-round match.
The Wildcats open their season tonight on the road against non-league opponent West Seneca East, with match time scheduled for 6 p.m. Depew then takes on East Aurora at home Wednesday at 5 p.m.
Cleveland Hill
The Golden Eagles have at least one thing to look forward to this season - they will almost assuredly be better than last year.
In 2005, Cleve Hill went 0-14, using many inexperienced players because the school's junior varsity program was eliminated due to a low number of participants.
One year later, the Eagles' fate is not yet sealed as they return seven players from last season's roster and three talented newcomers. Cleve Hill head coach Dan McNess said seniors Eric Militello (outside hitter) and 6foot, 1-inch Nigel Mahoney will provide much-needed leadership.
Junior Eugene Williams, who is the team's tallest player at 6-3, should provide spikes and blocks near the net this fall. McNess described him as "the jumper of the group."
McNess believes freshmen Matt Koszuta and Anthony Joss are talented athletes who will see floor time this season, and noted that sophomore John Filipski has potential to play well as an outside hitter.
Other returnees include juniors Kevin Wert, Nick Hockwater and Justin Mach, as well as sophomore Zach Williams.
Cleve Hill opens its season with a huge test on Wednesday at home against Eden, with match time scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
Even though his team is going through a continued rebuilding phase, McNess says the Eagles will be much more competitive than in 2005.
"We definitely won't have an "0for" season again," McNess told the Times. "We'll put up a good fight against teams in the (ECIC-IV) division. The guys are pretty confident that they can do well this season and hang around in games."
Cleve Hill graduated just two seniors from last season's roster.
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