BY CHRIS MANNINGNorthern Tier Sports Report
Last Troy volleyball raised a banner, this year their goal is to raise two. The defending NTL Large School champs come into the season with some holes to fill, but they also believe they have some unfinished business as they work towards the District IV, Class AA title that eluded them in 2024.
“I think that’s motivating us all,” Amber Jo White said about coming up short at districts. “Even though we did win NTLs we want to keep going and keep pushing, because we have goals in mind.”
First they have to find replacements for key players Kali Ayres, Marlee Stanton, Josie Kerrick, and Cameron Barbour. That’s over 400 kills to replace, over 700 digs, and over 60 blocks.
Luckily for Troy they have a big group of underclassmen to pull from.
“I think a lot of our younger girls are ready for that challenge,” said Troy coach Abby Herman-Deitrick. “They’ve been in here working like this the last couple days. I think they know the expectations that have been set forth for them, and I really think that they’re here every day to make the varsity for some of them, and a lot of them are just looking to improve their game, to help their teammates out.”
It helps that they return a strong duo in Aryana Andrus and Brenna Jackson.
Andrus finished last year with 327 kills and 115 blocks, while Jackson had 653 assists, 279 digs, and 38 aces. Both hit milestones on the same day last season as their careers are inexplicably linked.
“I’ve played with her since I was in eighth grade,” Jackson said. “We have a good connection so I’m excited to see where that takes us this year.”
An imposing figure at over 6-feet tall, Andrus has continued to hone her skills.
“I worked on my vertical, and some hitting,” Andrus said about her offseason regiment.
She’ll also be expected to play some back row this year, something she’s very excited about.
“I’ve been working really hard, especially with club volleyball,” Andrus remarked.
Herman-Deitrick believes teams may not be ready to see Andrus on the back row.
“I feel like people take for granted as that if your tall you might not be able to pass, but she’d surprise you,” she said. “She just hasn’t been used there because we’ve had better passers.”
Jackson, though, will have some new hitters to get acquainted along with being more a leader this season.
“I’ve worked on consistency, controls and being more of a vocal leader,” she remarked.
Fans may also see Jackson doing some attacking as Herman-Deitrick fiddles with the line-up.
“There’s probably not going to be a set rotation this year,” she remarked. “I know last year we king of were; Brenna Jackson comes back with 750 assists on the last couple of seasons. I’d like to see her hit a goal, but I don’t know if keeping here there is the right move to make for us moving forward.”
White might end up being one of those hitters after playing in the back line a year ago. As for her, she’s open to anywhere on the court.
“I’m ready to take on anything she wants,” she said.
Another player Herman-Deitrick expects to have a bigger role is sophomore Haidyn Watson, who came in to serve as a freshman at times.
“She did a really good job for me last year as far as serving in back row,” the coach said. “I didn’t use her in the front row, but I anticipate her to be a power hitter, along with Brenna Jackson and Aryana. We don’t really have a set line-up yet. I’m hoping to incorporate some of the other younger girls who are really strong, and I hope they step in to fill the other middle position, and the other outside that we have left to fill.”
The players also have faith in the younger group coming up.
“The freshmen and underclassmen are really stepping up,” Jackson said. “I feel like this class will get filled, and we’ll have a pretty good season.”
Every night they’ll have that bulls-eye being the league champions, and they welcome that pressure.
“It’s intimidating, but I think it’s helping us all work harder in practice, and getting the right mentality,” remarked White.
ROSTER (Grade)
Amber White (12)
Brenna Jackson (12)
Hailey Watson (12)
Aryana Andrus (12)
Madison Deitrick (12)
Bella Wood (11)
Alli Bailey (11)
Peyton Jennings (11)
Peyton Miller (11)
Taylor Brown (11)
Nya Watson (10)
Elliana Gundersen (10)
MaeLeigh Deitrick (10)
Haidyn Watson (10)
Aubree Kenyon (10)
Keira Coles (10)
Emilee Purcell (10)
Myah Bradley (10)
Evelyn Schonher (10)
Haylee Kenyon (9)
Grace Weirback (9)
Liana Lyon (9)
Georgie Reese Hineman (9)
Alexa Lawrence (9)
Gracilynn Brown (9)
Gracie Feldmeier (9)
Lyndee McClure (9)
Lilly MacWhinnie (9)
Sarah Caudill (9)
Sophie Weirback (9)
Bella King (9)
SCHEDULE
Aug. 26 at Williamson, 7 p.m.
Aug. 28 vs Athens, 7 p.m.
Sep. 4 vs Towanda, 7 p.m.
Sep. 6 at Williamson Tournament
Sep. 9 vs Williamsport, 7 p.m.
Sep. 11 vs Canton, 7 p.m.
Sep. 16 at Wellsboro, 7 p.m.
Sep. 18 at Towanda, 7 p.m.
Sep. 23 at Montoursville, 6:30 p.m.
Sep. 25 at Athens, 7 p.m.
Sep. 30 vs NPL, 7 p.m.
Oct. 4 at Canton w/Loyalsock, 10:45 a.m.
Oct. 7 vs Sayre, 7 p.m.
Oct. 9 at Wyalusing, 7 p.m.
Oct. 14 at NPL, 7 p.m.
Oct. 16 vs Wellsboro, 7 p.m.
Oct. 18 vs Selinsgrove, 11 a.m.
Oct. 21 at NEB, 7 p.m.
Oct. 23 vs CV, 7 p.m.
