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| Jamestown's Ellie Popelka (8) and Maria Esch (1) are among the top hitters in the Bay Rivers District. |
By
John Harvey
JAMES
CITY – For the last decade, Jamestown High’s volleyball team has been one of
the model programs in the Bay Rivers District for nearly a decade.
Coach
Tom Stephenson’s 2014 version looks primed to continue that tradition this
fall. The Eagles return four players with starting experience from last year’s
Class 4A state title game.
Sophomores
Maria Esch and Ellie Popelka give the Eagles one of the premiere front lines in
the district.
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| Maria Esch was an all-state performer last yer. |
Esch,
a second-team, all-state performer last year, was named by Prepvolleyball.com
as one of the Top 59 freshman in the country last year. The 6-foot outside
hitter has great poise around the net and knows how to finish. She’s also one
of the team’s top passers in serve-receive.
Like
Esch, Popelka was an impact performer last season as a freshman. The 6-foot-2
middle hitter was one of the team leaders in blocks and she also proved she
could deliver the hammer on quick-sets in the middle. She’s received
significant interest from Division I schools already and that should continue
this season as she sees some time at outside hitter too.
Seniors
Tess Anderson and Allison Walls saw significant playing time last season and
that championship experience should only help this year’s team.
Anderson
started last season as an outside hitter and emerged a one of the top
all-around players on the squad. The 5-foot-8 outside hitter can win you points
at the net, but she can also keep plays alive as defensive stopper.
Walls
gives the Eagles another weapon at the net. The 5-foot-10 outside hitter was a
good rotation player last season, but Stephenson believes she could have a
breakout year at the net.
Junior
Maddie Spence and sophomore Maggie Viniard will take over the starting setter
duties after serving as backups to all-state performer Monique St. Cyr.
Spence
was a back row performer for Jamestown much of last year, especially from the
service line. The 5-foot-5 junior is has quick feet and hands and is a solid
two-way performer. Viniard saw action as a freshman and really excelled. The
5-foot-7 sophomore has soft hands and really has a great grasp of the intricate
offensive schemes and makes great decisions with the ball
“We expect to be very strong
offensively from every position,” Stephenson said. “Blocking will be a strength
and we have two exceptional setters that play strong defense that can deliver
the ball to our hitters accurately.”
Even with all of that experience, Stephenson
believes there are some newcomers that could also make an immediate impact on
this year’s club.
Up front, senior Grace Thiesse and
freshman Emma Schriner and Madison Pettengell are also expected to battle for a
spot in the lineup.
Thiesse played at Jamestown as a
freshman before her family moved out of the area. The 5-foot-10 outside hitter
gives the Eagles a threat as a right-side hitter and can also provide a capable
block.
Schriner is the latest in a talented
group of freshman to play at Jamestown. The 6-foot-2 middle hitter transferred
to the school and has two years f club experience. Stephenson said she provides
“a huge block” and is expected to make a big impact offensively as a starter.
Gen Allison, Rebecca Golub and Abby
Metzger should make impacts as defensive players.
Allison is making the jump from the
junior varsity team and is projected as the team’s starting libero. The
5-foot-7 junior has excellent court awareness and movement, two key components
for the position.
Like Allison, Golub will join the
varsity team after two years with the junior varsity program. The 5-foot-7
junior has five years of club experience and is a good defensive player with a
tough serve.
Metzger is another talented
underclassman ready to perform. The sophomore defensive specialist is an
excellent back row player with a high volleyball IQ.
“Our defense and ball control should
be solid,” Stephenson said.
Stephenson, who needs just 13 wins
to reach 300 for his career, likes the way his team is shaping up. “We expect
to contend for a fourth consecutive district title and move deep into the
playoffs.”
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