The 2016 Wellington varsity volleyball team.

by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — 10 things to know about the Wellington High School volleyball team:

1. The essentials:

Head coach: Hannah Shuck, first year. Record last year: 19-20. Notable accomplishments: Qualified for the state tournament for the first time in its history.

2. The new coach:

Shuck is a Wellington High School graduate embarking on her first year as head coach of the varsity Crusaders. She had spent three years at Wellington Middle School before embarking on the varsity team.

3.  No. of returning starters: 1. Tayland French was a starter last season.

4. The varsity roster:

Shuck did not want to designate a list of starters. There are four returning varsity planers from last season as well as eight other girls who stepped up this season. The varsity roster is as follows:

5. Shuck’s style of play:

Shuck said she is planning to run a 6-2 offense with two setters.

“We have two really consistent outside hitters as well as a bit of height for blocking in the middle and right side,” Shuck said.  

6. Crusader strengths:

“Right now our strength is a positive culture and willingness to play their role,” Shuck said. “The girls may be switching from position to position depending on the performance and team we are playing.”

7. Crusader weaknesses:

  “We are working really hard to get consistency with our sets and also getting more swings rather than free balls,” Shuck said.

8. Key stretch for you:

Wellington plans to focus on one game at a time and grow throughout the season, Shuck said.

“We also plan to focus on the process and keeping our culture positive,” she said. “We had a lot of talent on the team this year so we are working on putting the girls in the right position at all times. 

9. The schedule:

The intangibles:

“We are striving to be the hardest working team in the league as well as bring all the energy and effort we can every day to practice as well as to game days,” Shuck said. “Practices are important because that is where we can learn how to work together as a team and build that strong culture.”

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