Photos by Heather Belcher
Although the Woodrow Wilson volleyball team is coming off an appearance in the 2020 state tournament, it would be easy to think that a return trip to the big dance this year might be out of reach.
Gone from last year’s team are two veteran setters, a powerful middle-hitter and two solid defensive specialists.
If you expect head coach Bre Rhodes to be in panic mode, think again.
“I did lose five outstanding seniors, but I am really excited about this team. We have a great mixture of upperclassmen and underclassmen. I have seven seniors and 11 freshmen,” Rhodes said. “A lot of those freshmen are from Park Middle School who won the (Raleigh) County championship. We also have a couple from Beckley-Stratton, so we have a lot of depth this year.”
Leading the list of returning players will be two veteran seniors, Elysia Salon and Olivia Ziolkowski.
“Elysia is a four-year starter for us. We will get the ball to her as much as we can either on the front row or the back row. She will be a big weapon for sure,” Rhodes said. “Olivia will be back as a force in the middle. Her and Abby Dillon have built great timing on hits.”
Salon, who is also an accomplished tennis player at Woodrow, says she is comfortable stepping into the role of the primary outside hitter.
“I don’t feel that much pressure because I have a lot of great teammates that I can rely on and I am confident in,” Salon said. “I put every ounce of effort into both sports. I am also blessed to have such good coaches and such good advice to help me. This is a fresh team and a new team, but I have big expectations and I am excited for this year.”
The biggest hole to fill for the Flying Eagles will be at the setter position, but Rhodes feels she has two solid players that will step into that role nicely.
“I have a senior, Taylor McDaniel that will come in as a setter and a freshman setter from Park, Abby Dillon, that will set for us. I also have one on the back burner in case something happens,” Rhodes said.
Salon, Dillon and senior Abby Wooton all gained valuable experience this summer as members of the highly successful Club Attack 18U AAU team. Club Attack 18U won the Sapphire Bracket at the 18-U national tournament in Orlando.
“Abby Wooton is a multi-sport athlete and she really blossomed during club season,” Rhodes said. “She played defense on that club team and it has been a big boost to her confidence coming into this season.”
Woodrow Wilson also received a boost with the return of junior ZaMahya Moss. Moss will join Ziolkowski in the middle to give the Flying Eagles two formidable blockers.
“ZaMahya is about 6-foot-4 and is going to be a name in the middle,” Rhodes said. “It’s nice to have some height. We don’t normally have height.”
Sophomore Emily Gallaher provides more back row experience along with senior Emily Stack hitting on the right side. Sophomore Saira Diehl saw varsity minutes last year and will join freshman Alanna Penn up front. Sophomores Abby Goode and Abby Mower will also see time this year.
“I have 15 players on varsity right now and I feel comfortable with all these girls and they feel comfortable with each other,” Rhodes said. “We had a great three weeks this summer and it has flowed right into the season. Everybody gets along and they have great attitudes.”
Salon had her own thoughts about Woodrow’s chances of returning to the state tournament.
“I think a lot of people aren’t expecting what is about to come,” Salon said. “We have a lot of players that have moved up and we are going to be a really good team.”
While the list of normal Saturday volleyball tournaments is smaller this year with Covid concerns affecting scheduling, Woodrow will still host the Shirley Brown Invitational Tournament Sept. 4.
“We are going to have the tournament again this year, but it will be smaller with just eight teams coming. Parkersburg, George Washington, South Charleston, Independence and PikeView are teams that are scheduled to be here. Scheduling has been different this year. We will be playing more matches than we usually do during the week.”
Woodrow Wilson’s opening match this season will be at home Aug. 31 against Independence.
