NTL VOLLEYBALL: YOUTHFUL NEB LOOKS TO KEEP STRING OF STRONG SEASONS GOING (2022-08-25)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
Northeast Bradford volleyball said good-bye to a couple stalwarts last season, including Emily Susanj, who is a once in a generation player.

Now, they’ll have to retool around the underclassman - which there are plenty as they have no seniors on the roster.

“Last year she was really motivating,” said libero Kiarra Delancey. “And she really brought up our energy, so, I think all of us are going to have to really step up this year to bring each other up, and really just work together as a team.”

She, and outside hitter Emma Neuber, will be looking to lead this bunch of Panthers as they continue the resurgence they’ve had over the past few years.

“It’s going to be this class for the next year or two, so we’re going to have a strong team,” Neuber remarked. “

They had some big wins last year, particularly at the end of the season when they got back to back wins over Williamson, and Canton - who didn’t lose again after that until the state semifinals.

“It definitely has shaped me, and the team to where we are now,” said Neuber. “Because, playing those teams, even if we didn’t do our best, and didn’t win, we’re learning from it, because they hit harder than other teams do. I think it’s a good experience going against teams that are definitely better than you.”

It looks like they’ll have to replace three starters, especially that middle hitting spot, so it might mean moving people around, or trying different strategies.

“We’re trying new things out,” said Delancey. We’re working on what we had last year, just building on it.”

That includes filling that leadership vacuum.

“I think we’re all really talking a lot, and making sure we’re talking to the younger girls, and just bringing each other’s energy up,” Delancey explained.

Delancey, Neuber, and Gabby Susanj are all trying to step into that leadership role this year.

“We’re trying to be positive, because that was a big aspect Emily had,” Neuber said. “So we’re just trying to fill that spot.”

Replacing the points in the middle could be difficult, but NEB is confident in who they have for that middle hitting spot.

“She was responsible for a lot of kills,” Delancey said about Emily Susanj.

So far Abby O’Connor has been filling in at the middle, and the players like what they’ve seen so far.

“She started last year, and she’s very, very tall, and almost hitting the 10-foot line when she is hitting at her best, but I think that most of our two middles, Alexis (Corter), I feel like we’re going to be able to fill those spots.”

Neuber and Toni Herb return as outside hitters, and Delancey believes they’ll be able to make it up as a team.

“I think all our girls, especially our hitters, are really stepping up this season,” she said. “They’re doing great stuff.”

Defensively, they may not be as big as last year, so they’re trying to compensate a little bit for that.

“We’re trying to compact so that there’s not many open spots,” Neuber said. “Last year we had a bunch of weaknesses when we were on the courts, and we just decided that if we compact ourselves that it’s harder to hit spots.”

As for team goals, right now, they’re just taking it one match at a time.

“I just want to grow the team, and work with each other, and build for this year to be even better next year,” said Delancey.

ROSTER

Adrian Chobot

Alexis Corter

Kamryn Edsell

Emma Neuber

Gabby Susanj

Alonna Buynak

Abby Chobot

Kiarra Delancey

Kayah Frasier

Toni Herb

Abby Keeney

Abby O’Connor

Kelsea Moore

Amanda Allabaugh

Sadie Heines

Jaylin Wheaton

SCHEDULE

Aug. 30 - Wellsboro at NEB, 7 p.m.

Sep. 1 - NEB at Athens, 7 p.m.

Sep. 6 - NEB at CV, 6 p.m.

Sep. 10 - NEB at Williamson Tournament

Sep. 13 - Williamson at NEB, 7 p.m.

Sep. 15 - NEB at Troy, 7 p.m.

Sep. 20 - NEB at Towanda, 7 p.m.

Sep. 27 - NEB at Canton, 7 p.m.

Sep. 29 - Sayre at NEB, 7 p.m.

Oct. 4 - Wyalusing at NEB, 7 p.m.

Oct. 6 - NPL at NEB, 7 p.m.

Oct. 8 - NEB vs Loyalsock at Wyalusing, 10 a.m.

Oct. 8 - Canton at NEB, 7 p.m.

Oct. 13 - NEB at Sayre, 7 p.m.

Oct. 18 - CV at NEB, 7 p.m.

Oct. 25 - NEB at Williamson, 7 p.m.