Trumansburg Volleyball Wrap-Up
The IAC North has had a structure similar to a monarchy stretching over the course of about 10 years with a single ruler at the helm. Angela McLennan has not only reached the pinnacle of success in recent years, but has maintained such dominance, that some may mistake her as the queen over the division. Now a queen is only successful if she rules justly and with imposing wisdom, and that is certainly the case for McLennan as her knowledge and coaching skillset have supplemented in paving the road to victory. Each year, a new batch of volleyball players enters somewhat of a castle that is the Wes Summerville Gymnasium, with the task of protecting it. The defense has been nearly faultless in dismantling any enemy siege over the past five years, claiming a 70-2 regular season record. The newly dubbed “Angela’s Army” goes for five straight undefeated regular seasons with merely five games remaining.
As the commanding season marches on, the Trumansburg volleyball took care of business this week, with two impressive victories for both the JV and Varsity teams. Tuesday saw the Raiders take on Whitney Point for the second and final time this season.
JV coach Pat Edwards and his team had a strong showing against the Eagles with both the offense and defense firing on all cylinders. Up front the rotation of Raiders berated the Whitney Point backline, never seizing to frustrate the helpless opposition. Leading the charge was Orion Vogel-Moore, who was accompanied by Michaela Murphy who assisted Moore in attacking the net. Also in the middle was Maddie Hager who aided the Trumansburg offense all night long with her consistent sets to the outside. On the receiving end of Hager’s sets was the duo of Morgan Weatherby and Kate Gardner who did an exceptional job distributing the ball and placing hits out of reach of the Whitney Point competition. When it was all said and done, the Trumansburg side had coasted their way to three straight set wins, making Tuesday a successful day. The Boston Red Sox, as much as the folks at the Raider Report despise them, have a slogan that they are known for. “Win, dance, repeat” is used after every Red Sox game won. Like the Red Sox, the JV team was up to their repetitive winning ways again on Wednesday night, when they demolished Groton. The Indians proved to be ill fated from the get go, with the same series of Raiders laying down the law on the court. Coach Edwards and his Trumansburg side would again find themselves waltzing to a straight-set victory.
In the beginning of the season, a new student-athlete joined the varsity volleyball team. Her name is Asaki Iwasaki, and she hails from Osaka, Japan. Coming to Trumansburg for one year as a part of her involvement in the Rotary Club, Asaki joined Coach McLennan’s side with excitement, ready to play for a new team. Asaki played for her school team back in Japan and has brought a great deal of skill and passion for the game. Over the course of the season, any volleyball spectator knows that Asaki makes an impact with not only her play but also her attitude. Carrying a trademarked smile every time she steps out of the court, she provides a jolt of energy to her fellow teammates, coaches and fans. Asaki is no stranger to hustling as she bounces around the gym, going after every ball. Continuing her emphatic performances, Asaki and her team took on Groton on Wednesday night, coming off of an impressive win on Tuesday against Whitney Point. In a straight set bashing of Groton, the Raiders used all around solid play to secure victory. On the offensive approach, sequential play and serving proved to be the hammerhead for Trumansburg. Junior Meredith Stilwell continued her habit of undeviating serving, sending rockets just barely over the net, bombarding the Groton defense. Serving wasn’t the only form of attack, as the Raiders utilized quality setting from senior Zoe Golden to set up destructive outside hitting. There to bury home the quality setting was a collection senior hitters. Shaylee Sprague unleashed a barrage of hits, with Alexis Vogtman and Allie Boylan-Voorheis supplying well placed tipped balls in open spots in the Groton defense. All good offense starts with a good defense, and two notable Raiders who worked well receiving Groton hits were Meredith Stilwell and Sarah Wertis. Both did a stellar job in turning a Groton attack into a Trumansburg advantage.
Rounding out the week for Trumansburg volleyball will be South Seneca tonight. Make sure you head out and watch the Raiders take on the Falcons. Start time is 4:30.
