It’s no secret that the Beekmantown Eagles took command of Section VII volleyball last year. They posted a 17-0 record and lost just two of their total 53 games. However, they were not the only team that had success. Peru, Northern Adirondack, Plattsburgh and Saranac all had 10 or more wins, and will surely look to improve from last year. Section VII tournament action resulted in Beekmantown taking the Class B championship and AuSable Vally grabbing the Class C title. Class D went to Northern Adirondack.
BEEKMANTOWN
The Eagles are coming off an amazing season last year and only lost three players to graduation. The majority of the team played volleyball year round to stay in shape and improve their skills.
Kendra LaFountain and Kristi Blow are the only seniors on the team this year and should provide some leadership and experience. The Eagles have some talented underclassmen in freshman Michaela LaFountain and sophomores Shannon Ryan and Grace Kelly. Ryan was a First-Team All-Star as a freshman last year and will play a big role in all aspects of play.
Beekmantown’s presence will be felt from the first game and all the way to the end.
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Players lost
Kiana Archer, Molly Sorrell, Chelsey Besaw.
Roster
Kendra LaFountain, Kristi Blow, Jordynne Ales, Evelyn Vicencio, Amanda Frederick, Emily Anderson, Mikaela Frechette, Molly King, Natasha manor, Hunter Gates, Shannon Ryan, Grace Kelly, Michaela LaFountain.
PERU
The Indians are coming off a 14-4 season last year. They have lost seven players from last year’s squad, but still have the depth and experience with seven seniors on the team.
Starting junior Lea Perry will lead the offense with a good supporting cast in Brittany Kelso, Karlee Goddeau-Stefaniak, Rebecca Tenbuuren, Brooke Wyand and Linzee Wright. The defense will be led by Anna Sardella and Alexis McKee.
The Indians are out to prove that even with losing several starters from last year they are still a top contender.
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Players lost
Abby Higgins, Samantha Banker, Paige Moore, Callie Garcia, Katie Lawliss, Breanna Marteneau, Amanda Way
Returning players
Brittany Kelso, Rebecca Tenbuuren, Karley Goddeau-Stefaniak, Brooke Wyand, Anna Sardella, Linzee Wright, Alexis McKee, Lea Perry
First year players
Andrea Rinn, Lexi Miner, Allison St. Louis, Karlee Stephaney, Madeline Kaplan, Megan Sears
NORTHERN ADIRONDACK
The Bobcats were third in Section VII a year ago posting an 11-6 record. They lost four seniors from last year, but still have some depth and experience in seniors Hannah Charland, Shonni Velasquez and Whitney Mesec.
They will also look to Emma Trombley and Zoey Varin for some strong outside hits and good blocking at the net. They will look to gain another Class D championship this year.
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Players lost
Nicole Durnin, Tessa King, Ariel Filion, Allison LaMountain.
Players returning
Hannah Charland, Shonni Velasquez, Whitney Mesec, emma Trombley, Zoey Varin.
First year players
MacKenzie Fountain, Olivia Barnaby, Katelyn Snide, Amber Collins, Kailey Brunell, Taylor Pitts.
PLATTSBURGH
The Hornets only lost two seniors from last year’s 11-7 team. With seven seniors on the lineup, they will have a lot of depth and experience.
Junior Kianna Dragoon will run the court for the second season in a row at starting setter. The offense will get support from senior hitters Kadijah Brown, Taylor Witkowizc, Katie Stetz and Jaevanna Bucci. Seniors Katie Dwyer, Rachel Rebideau and Kayla Boise will protect the back court and set the pace on defense.
The Hornets’ goal this year is to reach the Class C finals again, but this time come away with a win.
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Players lost
Katie Cantwell, Samantha Malcolm.
Roster
Katie Stetz, Katie Dwyer, Jaevanna Bucci, Rachel Rebideau, Kadijah Brown, Amanda McMahon, Victoria Herkalo, Rachel Bedard, Taylor Witkiewicz, Jamie Bedard, Samantha Martin, Kayla Boise, Kianna Dragoon, Deanna LaBarge, Maddy Bushey.
SARANAC
Last year the Chiefs went 10-7. With the loss of first team all-stars Stephanie Linder and Danielle Parker, the Chiefs will rely on their attacking to push them through the season.
Saranac has some strong setters to feed the attack line and put points on the board.
Having strength in attacking, the Chiefs have been working diligently on defense and passing. They were knocked out of Class B tournament play by Peru in the semifinals last year and hope to make it there again with a different outcome.
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Roster
Taylor Brewer, Sianna Ryan, Ali Harpp, Bryanna Evoy, Loni LaPoint, Sara Wood, Kaylee Couture, Abby Monty, Samantha Aierle, Cassandra Smith, Ashley Byerley
AUSABLE VALLEY
The Patriots won their second Class C championship last year and are looking for a third. They lost two players from last year’s squad and have only one senior on the team this year. Belle O’Toole will lead the team as captain and is their lone senior.
Junior starters Miranda Sheffer, Mirissa O’Neill and Noelle Miller will help lead the team toward a third title. With such a young team, Jocelyn Racette will be competing with first-year players Lindsay Brown and Shelby Bourgeois for a starting spot.
The Bobcats will be relying on strong serving and setting to get them through the season.
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Players lost
Jacqueline Hoey, Cassidy Tallman
Players returning
Miranda Sheffer, Belle O’Toole, Mirissa O’Neill, Noelle Miller, Jocelyn Racette, Miranda O’Neill.
Newcomers
Alexandra Lincoln, Lindsay Brown, Shelby Bourgeois, Lindsay Christian
NORTHEASTERN CLINTON
The Cougars are coming off a rough season from last year. With a record of 2-14, and losing nine players, they will look to rebuild this year and put together more wins this time around.
Northeastern Clinton is a young and ambitious team, and have been training hard to command respect in the league. Emily Boyer, Stephanie LaValley, Emily Norris, Caroline Perrea and Ellen Reid are the only returning players. They will play a huge role in helping mold the eight first-year players into a cohesive unit.
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Players lost
Jackie Barcomb, Megan Bechard, Courtney Boire, Tori Duprey, Sarena Foster, Tara Loucks, Vada Loya, Kelly Rogers, Brooke Seymour.
Returning players
Emily Boyer, Stephanie LaValley, Emily Norris, Caroline Perrea, Ellen Reid.
Newcomers
Emily Gregoire, Oriana LaFlesh, Patricia Lapan, Ashley McCoy, Brianna McCoy, Amanda Tallon, Elizabeth Timmons, Gabrielle Vasquez
