YOUNG ELYRIA SPIKERS LOOK TO MAKE STATE RUN IN 2023

writingwithwilldur
Aug 23, 2023
3 min read

Reiff sister set to lead Lady Eagles!

By Staff

ELYRIA – Despite losing three top players, the Elyria Christian volleyball team looks to improve on their 2022 season and make a run for a spot in the Class 1A Division I state tournament come the end of October.

Coming off a season where the Lady Eagles finished 19-13 overall, three seniors, four juniors, three sophomores and three freshmen look to blend together well enough on the court to give Elyria Christian a positive shot to return to the state tournament for the first time in 11 seasons.

Beginning her fourteenth season has head coach, Jayme Gardner will need to replace graduates Ryland Hawkinson and Kortney Potter. Hawkinson led the team in kills with 254 and blocks with 114 of which 84 were solo last season while Potter topped the team in assists with 239. Coach Gardner will also need to replace Raegan Hawkinson who transferred to Canton/Galva after tying for the team lead in service aces with 40 and making 112 kills to with 73 blocks in 2022 as just a sophomore.

What Gardner and the Lady Eagles does have returning as starters is the sister duo of Macy and Laney Reiff. Laney, just a sophomore, opened her Elyria career by leading the team in service aces with 40 and making 220 assists from her setter position. Macy, a senior, scored 20 service aces and led the Lady Eagles in digs with 264 as an outside hitter.

Senior Julia Allen will be back as well to compete for a starter and leadership spot after making 247 digs in 2022. Other returnees that the coaches are counting on will be senior defensive specialist Jory Glendening and outside hitter Addison Swenson, a junior.

“I am really looking forward to what these girls are going to produce this season,” noted coach Gardner when reflecting on the possibilities of the 2023 season. “They have already shown a great deal of hustle and grit, and we have seen such positive and hard-working attitudes.

Of the other eight girls on the roster, the coaches are expected junior defensive specialist Reagan Broadus and junior middle hitter Brooke Davidson to possibly have the most impact on the season ahead.

The Lady Eagles are scheduled to open their 2023 season on Tuesday, August 29 when they play host to Central Christian and WAHAA (Wichita Area Homeschool Athletic Association) Warriors.

Coach Gardner closed out her preseason reflections by adding, “These girls seem to naturally have a never give up attitude which, as a coach, is fun to see already. They are truly creating an environment that is pretty exciting to for a coach to work with.”

2023 Elyria Christian Lady Eagle Volleyball Roster:

Seniors = Julia Allen, Jory Glendening, and Macy Reiff.

Juniors = Reagan Broadus, Brooke Davidson, Natalie Jader, and Addison Swenson.

Sophomores = Emma Glendening, Liz Harvey, and Laney Reiff.

Freshman = Amelia Moody, Kamilynn Noggle, and Joy Pyle.

2023 ELYRIA CHRISTIAN LADY EAGLE VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE:

Tuesday, August 29 = hosting Central Christian and WAHAA

Tuesday, September 5 = at Centre

Saturday, September 9 = at Solomon Invitational

Tuesday, September 12 = At Centra Quad (with Goessel & Canton/Galva)

Thursday, September 14 = hosting Triangular with Bluestem & Berean Academy

Tuesday, September 19 = at Wakefield Triangular (with Solomon)