NTL VOLLEYBALL: WYALUSING LOOKS TO TAKE A STEP UP IN 2024 (2024-08-21)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
The 2023 season was the start of a new era for Wyalusing volleyball, with 2024 the year they’re going to look to climb back up the standings. They return most of their roster, with most of their players seeing varsity time last season.

“I’m excited for year two now that we have a year of experience,” said coach Renee Broschart. “We grew quite a bit last year, but with that experience now we can hit the ground running. We’ve been trying to focus on staying disciplined in defense, and being more strategic on offense and ball control. Communication has been a top priority for us.”

Like a lot of younger teams a year ago the Rams took their fare share of lumps, and like a lot of those same teams this year, they’re looking to turn things around.

“We just finished our first scrimmage and that gave me a lot of hope coming into this season,” said Kylie Pickett. 

Their top six hitters all return - Pickett (50 kills), Addison Fluck (55), Gabby Manahan (64), Madalyn Broschart (56), Emily Johns (52), and Rachel Wilson (50).

“We’re really working on getting that good pass up because we have a lot of good options as hitters,” said Fluck. 

Pickett also led the team in assists a year ago with 184, but with so many players seeing time building chemistry has been key.

“It’s nice because you kind of have the freedom to be able to go anywhere, and not really have to worry about it if there’s not a perfect pass,” said Pickett.

She’s not quite sure where she’ll be at yet, but see’s her flexibility as an asset.

“You don’t have to worry about if you get stuck in a bad rotation or anything,” she said. “You can always do your thing.”

Pickett led the team defensively with 164 digs, while Josie Ferris (98) and Johns (92) each showed out on that end.

They also showed some potential at the net on that end last year as they had three players with double digit blocks.

Wilson (16), Broschart (15), and Fluck (14) all had took their turns denying opponents at the net.

“It’s nerve wracking,” Fluck remarked about playing in the middle in the NTL. “But it’s honestly so exciting because it’s anyone’s game at this point.”

With so many on the roster coach Broschart feels they’ll have plenty of options no matter the opponent.

“That’s what’s making this year even more exciting because they’ve had the chance to gel together last year, figure out what’s working and what wasn’t working,” she said. “And, even though I have nine returning, I have really solid players coming up from JV, and I’m looking forward to seeing what they can contribute.”

Obviously, they would like to improve upon their 5-15 record from a year ago, with being .500 and making districts their main goal.

“We really, really want to make districts, and we’ve got some big games that we want to win,” Pickett said. “We want to win against Athens again, and we want to beat Towanda.”

The NTL should be much more even this season as last year’s younger teams begin to catch up to everybody else.

“I think we can definitely make a name for ourselves this year,” said Fluck.

ROSTER

Kylie Pickett

Nell Vanderpool

Rachel Wilson

Madalyn Broschart

Avery Carr

Addison Fluck

Jordin Herda

Gabrielle Manahan

SaEva Manahan

Isabel McKeon

Alyssa Neagle

Josie Ferris

Eily Johns

Abbie Tuttle

Kirra Millard

Addison Vanderpool

SCHEDULE

Aug. 24 vs Hughesville, 11:30 a.m.

Aug. 27 vs Athens, 7 p.m.

Aug. 29 vs NPL, 7 p.m.

Sep. 5 at Wellsboro, 7 p.m.

Sep. 7 at Elk Lake, 11 a.m.

Sep. 10 at NEB, 7 p.m.

Sep. 12 at CV, 7 p.m.

Sep. 19 vs Williamson, 7 p.m.

Sep. 21 at Tunkhannock Tournament

Sep. 24 vs CV, 7 p.m.

Sep. 26 at Canton, 7 p.m.

Oct. 1 vs Sayre, 7 p.m.

Oct. 5 vs NEB, noon

Oct. 8 at Williamson, 7 p.m.

Oc. 10 at Troy, 7 p.m.

Oct. 15 vs Towanda, 7 p.m.

Oct. 17 vs Lewisburg, 7 p.m.

Oct. 19 at Loyalsock w/Sugar Valley, 1 p.m.

Oct. 22 vs Canton, 7 p.m.

Oct. 24 at Sayre, 7 p.m.

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