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Warriors volleyball aiming high in league
 | | ATTACKING THE NET...Cheektowaga Central junior Paul Colt spikes the ball over the net during Wednesday morning's practice. (Times photo) |
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One year after a youthful Cheektowaga Central boys volleyball team struggled to find consistency in all phases of the game, the Warriors return a more experienced, talented squad that head coach Jon Marcussen believes can challenge for one of the top spots in Erie County Interscholastic Conference-III.
Central, which in 2006 finished 6- 6 in league play and 8-8 overall, features a solid mix of six seniors, five juniors and one sophomore. Several athletes that played vital roles on the Warriors' junior varsity team that went 14-5 last year will see time on the court this fall.
"I love the attitude this team has," Marcussen told the Times. "The guys come to practice early and are ready to go. There's good talent and a close-knit attitude."
Returning starters include senior left-side hitter Mark Mingle- a First Team All-ECIC-III selection in 2006- as well as senior setter Doug Martin and the other left-side hitter, Craig Ryan, who is also a senior.
 | | PATIENTLY WAITING...John F. Kennedy senior setter Waliani Melendez, pictured here waiting for a serve to come her way Wednesday, is one the Lady Bears' top returnees this season. (Times photo) |
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Although Marcussen said his players select team captains at the start of the regular season, he added that Mingle, Martin and Ryan are the Warriors' team leaders.
"They really push our team," the Central coach said of the senior trio. "Other players look up to them."
Other returning athletes include seniors Paul Colt, Jim Koteras and Andrew Pace. Newcomers who have impressed in practice so far include 6-foot, 5-inch junior Jeff Coons- whose great height and agility as a middle hitter should create prob- lems for oppo- nents- as well as junior Josh Strzelec and sophom ore setter Ryan Carr.
Coons, Carr and Strzelec, as well as other War- riors, have improved their overall game by participating on high-level club leagues, such as Eden's.
Juniors Jordan Cave, Andy Maguda and Tyler Rudick round out the 2007-08 roster.
Marcussen, whose team opens its season September 8 at the Clarence Tournament, believes his squad can compete for as high as second or third in ECIC-III, with local rival Maryvale and perennial power Eden being the "cream of the crop" again.
The Warriors open league play September 14 at home against local foe Cleveland Hill, with game time slated for 4:30 p.m.
JFK girls look to leaders
to pick up the slack in '07
The John F. Kennedy girls varsity volleyball team is hoping its senior leaders can help elevate the team from a middle-of-the-pack squad to an ECIC-IV front-runner this fall.
After finishing 6-6 in ECIC-IV, 7- 9 overall in 2006, JFK returns five core athletes to its lineup this season, including seniors Waliani Melendez (setter, three-year veteran), Amanda Moran (outside hitter), Leah Foote (back row special- ist) and Jessica Minorczyk (middle hitter), as well as junior Kristy Dauer (outside hitter).
Lady Bears head coach Mark Gedeon said he will sel ect cap- tains just before the start of the regular season, but added that the outgoi n g Melendez is one of his team's pri- mary leaders.
H e added that a pair of talented sophom ore back row (libero) specialists- Jamie Russell and Jamie Nash- have potential to excell on the court this season.
"They both can play and they're really athletic," Gedeon said. "They're a nice addition to the veterans we have on the team."
The JFK coach added that other spots on the team have yet to be decided and will be determined as the season approached. The Lady Bears open their season at home against powerful league foe Eden on September 11 at 5:30 p.m.
Gedeon said his team should compete for one of the top four spots in ECIC-IV, with Eden and improving Holland and Springville providing tough competition.
"We need some work yet, but we've got a nice mix with this team," said Gedeon, who added that experience is a bit of a weakness, with only one team athlete playing yearround club volleyball.
Next Week:
The Times previews the Depew and Cleve Hill boys and girls, as well as the Central girls.
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