By Chris Parker
Verona volleyball finished 15-15-1 last season. The Wildcats must replace five graduated seniors from that squad including: Hailee Wilkinson, Carolina Castillo, Shelby Freiburger, Ashley Freiburger and Kristen Krueger. Verona will also be without Yoselin Martinez due to injury.
The Wildcats will lean on three returning starters in senior middle hitters Sydney Gamroth and Paige Bauer along with junior outside hitter/libero Grace Nelson. Bauer and Gamroth put down 139 and 121 kills last year respectively. Both will be four-year starters. Bauer earned honorable mention all-conference honors for her efforts. Nelson played libero last year and will either return to that role or move to outside hitter.
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Senior Courtney Freiburger (outside hitter) and junior Alyssa Tishri (setter) along sophomores Violet Tosh (defensive specialist), Lauren Francisco (middle hitter) and Xochiti Martinez (defensive specialist) will be other players to watch on varsity.
Freiburger will be one of the top outside hitters for Verona. Tosh has been one of the most improved players this summer according to Verona head coach Brad Stewart.
There is a deep group of freshmen ready to contribute for Verona this year. America Castillo will look to see significant time at setter. Zoey Vorin will see time at outside hitter. Megan Long (setter) and Chloe Lechner (middle hitter) will provide depth.
“We lost 5 key seniors from last year’s team and now six players with Yoselin out, so we are putting the pieces in place following a 15-win season. I think this team will improve rapidly during the season. Our girls work well together, play with enthusiasm, enjoy competing and have excellent senior leadership,” Stewart said.
Verona opens the season on Aug. 29 with its home invitational.
