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NTL VOLLEYBALL: VETERAN CANTON LOOKING FOR ANOTHER RUN (2022-08-25)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
The Canton Warriors are on quite the run lately as a program - five straight district titles - and made the state semifinals in Class A a year ago. However, coach Shelia Wesneski knows every year is different, and the players know that, just because they return most of their line-up, they still have to put in the work to get back to where they were in 2021.

"We’re just building off more of the dynamic of the team, because we’re very skilled players,” said Aislyn Williams, the returning NTL Player of the Year. “So we’re just working on the dynamic, and flowing together to create a better game.”


This group of seniors have had the target on their backs since they stepped on the court, so they know what to expect.


“I honestly like the competition,” Jillaney Hartford, the middle hitter, said. “I like being threatened, but I like being the top dog, and people coming after me, it keeps me pumped.”


They boast a senior class of seven girls, though they do lose two key rotation players from a year ago.


“We’re really just focusing on working together,” outside hitter Keri Wesneski said. “We’ve lost some girls, and we’ve gained some girls, so there’s a lot of adjust to do. And I think really just trying to learn each other’s timing and spacing.”


However, returning five of six starters does have it’s perks.


“Because we’re all kind of used to each other, even with the new girls,” said Marissa Ostrander. “We have a lot of us that know each other, so we get along really well.”


There top three leaders in kills - Williams (175), Hartford (106), and Wesneski (84) - all return along with their setter, Allyson Butcher, who had 379 assists a year ago.


Up front defensively Williams and Hartford combined for 68 blocks, while they boast four players with over 100 digs: Ostrander (157), Williams (142), Wesneski (142), and Butcher (107).


They do come in a little banged up, but are using the opportunity to build their depth.


“We’re trying to find players to replace them while they are hurt,” Hartford remarked. 


“We actually have a lot of girls, that would be very beneficial in certain situations,” added Williams. “It kind of just depends on what situation we’re thrown at, but we’ve got a lot of girls that can step up.”


Hartford and Williams will be two of the leaders on the squad this season.


“I think we’ll all just kind of come together as a team, and help each other out,” said Hartford. “But if anything goes down, I think me and Aislyn are of the people that bring the team back together.”


Nobody is more battle tested around the league than these Warriors - they beat Galeton in five sets to win the district title, then eked out a win over Berlin-Brothersvalley in the state quarters in five sets to reach the final four.


“I think we just have to know we did it before,” Wesneski said. “We have most of the same girls back. There’s a couple of spots to fill, but we have girls that are very capable of doing it; and, having five, six seniors on the team, we all have the same mindset, so working together shouldn’t be too hard.”


This group also wants to go out with a bang.


“It is pretty exciting,” remarked Ostrander.


Right now they just want to get back to playing their best volleyball.


“I believe if we play our very best, we can make it to the state championships,” said Williams.


ROSTER

Jillaney Hartford

Aislyn Williams

Keri Wesneski

Marissa Ostrander

Gabby Spencer

Allyson Butcher

Madison Hulbert

Chelsea Lehman

Gabby Thursby

Kendall Kitchen

Addilyn Pepper

Abbey Marker

Allyson Marbaker

Charliegh Anderson

Tara Gilbert


SCHEDULE

Aug. 30 - Towanda at Canton, 7:30 p.m.

Sep. 1 - Williamsport at Canton, 7:30 p.m.

Sep. 6 - Athens at Canton, 7 p.m.

Sep. 10 - Canton at Williamson Tournament

Sep. 12 - Canton at Wyalusing, 7:30 p.m.

Sep. 13 - Sayre at Canton, 7:30 p.m.

Sep. 20 - Canton at NPL, 7:30 p.m.

Sep. 22 - Canton at Wellsboro, 7:30 p.m.

Sep. 23 - Canton at South Williamsport, 7:30 p.m.

Sep. 27 - NEB at Canton, 7:30 p.m.

Sep. 29 - CV at Canton, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 4 - Canton at Williamson, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 6 - Troy at Canton, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 8 - Canton at NEB, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 11 - Canton at Sayre, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 13 - Williamson at Canton, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 15 - Canton at Galeton, 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 18 - Wyalusing at Canton, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 20 - South Williamsport at Canton, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 25 - Canton at CV, 7:30 p.m.



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