It's a new era for Wyalusing volleyball but after last year's success they're hoping for a quick transition that keeps them moving up in the 2026 season.

"It feels really good knowing that we have our core group," Senior Josie Ferris said. "Even though we lost quite a bit last year, we had a lot of younger girls show up all summer, and do very well."

Ferris, Emily Johns, Jaylynn Herda, Addison Vanderpool, and Kirra Millard are the mainstays from last year's team that made the district playoffs.

"Our team's athletic ability is insane with these girls," said first year coach Elizabeth Vanderpool. "I probably have some of the best setters, the best hitters, blockers - we are so versatile."

They're a little bit of a smaller team than they've had in the past, but Vanderpool feels that's going to be an asset.

"We're incredibly close," said Vanderpool. "Most of these girls, now it pretty cool, they're my club team, so they're the team that plays year round together. The getting together with the rest of the team that don't play club, it's pretty cool to see how they fit in."

Everyone revolves around Ferris at setter and the 470 assists she had last year.

"She dominates as a setter," said Vanderpool. "She is a natural leader on the court. Her ability to remember rotations, her ability to communicate positively. She is incredibly humble - you won't meet anyone more humble than Josie - and her teammates just respect her, and love her."

This will be Ferris' third year as setter as she closes in on 1,000 assists for her career.

"I feel like I have a pretty good connection with the hitters, so it brings a lot of confidence to the whole team," she said. 

Johns is one of those hitters. She had 155 kills last year to lead the team, while Herda had 96.

"It's really fun," Johns said about playing with Ferris. "We connect really well together, so I'm excited to see what we can do this season."

Vanderpool is excited to see their 1-2 punch of Johns and Herda at the net.

"Emily's natural ability as a volleyball player is something that's taking her to the next level," she said. "We have Jalynn Herda, a strong middle, we also have Katelynn (Roberts), another strong middle, and Addison Vanderpool coming in on an outside. We definitely have the height, and we have the talent, so I'm excited about that."

They have to replace four outgoing seniors that amassed nearly 240 kills a year ago, but it's going to be the next man up mentality for the Rams.

"I'm probably solid with three people deep in every position," Vanderpool said. "We have girls that can come off their bench, and just dominate and know their roles."

That type of depth gives will help them as they manage their way through the season - whether it be injuries, or figuring out rotations.

"It gives us confidence because we have so much talent in other positions," Ferris said.

They bump up to Large School this year for the NTL, and that's always been that one hill they can't seem to climb. However, the division is deep this year, and Vanderpool is just taking it one day at a time.

"I want to be the coach that says, 'our seasons are not measured in wins and losses,'" she said. "It's measured in the discipline and the resilience that I train these girls to continue to have. Honestly, the NTL is open with a lot of talented, scrappy teams. It's going to be a great season, so my goal as a coach is to make every match one that we're going to give 100-percent."

The new PIAA classifications didn't do them any favors as they're stuck in the extremely deep and talented Class AAA pool in District IV.

Still, they do have a district title in their bag from a few years ago, and this team has been through their fair share of battles.

"I think since we've been through it, that we've faced adversity, it's going to be make us better," said Johns.

ROSTER

Addison Vaderpool (12)

Emily Johns (12)

Josie Ferris (12)

Kirra Millard (12)

Bristol Roberts (11)

Sara Young (11)

Adalyn Herbert (11)

Jalynn Herda (11)

Katelynn Roberts (11)

Brinley Sterling (10)

Raelyn Jayne (10)

SCHEDULE

Aug 29 vs Athens, 11:30 a.m.

Sep 1 vs Towanda, 7 p.m.

Sep 3 at Troy, 7 p.m.

Sep 1 vs Sayre, 7 p.m.

Sep 3 at Welslboro, 7 p.m.

Sep 12 at Montrose, 11:30 a.m.

Sep 14 at Blue Ridge, 6:30 p.m.

Sep 17 vs NPL, 7 p.m.

Sep 19 at Loyalsock, 9:30 a.m.

Sep 22 vs Canton, 7 p.m.

Sep 24 at CV, 6:30 p.m.

Sep 29 at Williamson, 7 p.m.

Oct 1 vs NEB, 7 p.m.

Oct 3 vs Waverly, 11:30 a.m.

Oct 6 at Towanda, 7 p.m.

Oct 8 at Athens, 7 p.m.

Oct 13 vs Troy, 7 p.m.

Oct 15 vs Wellsboro, 7 p.m.

Oct 20 at NPL, 7 p.m.