With six returning letterwinners, East Clinton looks to end Williamsburg’s reign as the SBAAC National Division volleyball champion.
“We have dedicated players, parents and coaches and are excited about the opportunities that are in front of us,” said East Clinton head coach Sarah Sodini, who is in her seventh season leading the Lady Astros. “We’re striving to win the league title.”
Williamsburg has posted three consecutive unbeaten National Division seasons, rolling to 32 straight league wins while sitting on top of the standings. Clermont Northeastern is the last team to interrupt the Wildcats run with championships in 2014 and 2013. WHS won the previous four titles and has been first in seven of the the last nine season dating back to 2009.
So the Wildcats are clearly the team everybody is shooting for in 2018.
East Clinton and Clermont Northeastern tied for second in the league standings last season with 9-3 records.
Gone from last year EC squad are five graduates, led by first-team All-SBAAC players Logan Peterman and Paige Lilly. Peterman was the team leader in assists and serving percentage last season while Lilly was the team leader in kills in both 2016 and 2017.
Other 2018 grads include Victoria Jamison, an honorable mention All-SBAAC player; Sierra Christian and Kayla Hall.
The top returning players are Kenzie Campbell and Kaitlin Durbin. Campbell is an outside hitter who earned first team All-SBAAC honors last season. Durbin led the team in blocks while earning second team All-SBAAC honors last year.
As the season unfolds, Sodini like “our flexibility. We have girls that can play multiple positions. I also have two four-year varsity players, so we’re experienced. We have three talented setters that can bet the ball where it needs to be.”
Sodini said her squad needs to improve its serving consistency and serve receive.
Also returning are Kaitlyn Talbott, Lacey Peterman, Emma Malone and Myah Jones.
Sodini has four coaches in the EC volleyball program – Samantha McGraw (junior varsity), Kelli Jamison (freshman), Jaime Evanshine (8th grade) and Cassie Findley (7th grade).
Top newcomers to the varsity squad are Katrina Bowman, Kiya Byrd, Rhylee Luttrell, Megan Stewart and Miranda Beener.
