Earning a trip to the state tournament in any sport is always a difficult task.
Toss in losing five key seniors to graduation from the previous season and that task might seem impossible.
That was not the case this year for the Woodrow Wilson volleyball team under head coach Bre Rhodes.
Replacing two veteran setters, a powerful middle-hitter and two solid defensive specialists, the Flying Eagles improved on last year’s results by winning a sectional and regional title on their way back to to Charleston.
“I was excited when the season started because I knew the chemistry was there,” Rhodes said. “I knew the talent was there. I just needed them to believe it. This team believes in itself and most all they believe in each other. That is the biggest part.”
Woodrow’s success has also stemmed from players willingly accepting their roles on the team. Roles that at times may not come with numerous minutes on the floor.
“I have 14 talented girls. The people I put out there in certain situations is who I need on the floor. It may different come state tournament. Everybody is fighting to play and they know what they need to do,” Rhodes said. “Abby Mower has come in clutch with her serve and getting a hand on the ball in the back row. Lesleigh Ball comes in just to serve, but she knows that is her job for us. She does it well and she plays defense.”
Senior Elysia Salon has provide the power this season for Woodrow with 580 kills, averaging almost five per set. Seniors Olivia Ziolkowski and Emily Stack have been solid attackers along with junior ZaMahya Moss and sophomore Saira Diehl.
Salon also plays the full rotation and has 57 aces, 462 digs and 426 receptions.
“Her athleticism is impressive. I think the fact that she plays tennis and being active in different ways, helps with that,” Rhodes said. “She is a powerhouse and we are lucky to have her.”
Ziolkowski has been a force at the net with 131 blocks, many coming at crucial times in the matches. Moss has recorded 91 blocks.
Freshman Abby Dillon has looked like a veteran at the setter position, recording 1,129 assists in just her first high school season.
Senior libero Abby Wooton has been a rock on the back row with 548 receptions, 432 digs and 62 aces to lead the team.
Woodrow Wilson now stands three wins away from a state championship. The quest begins Friday morning at 8:30 a.m. against a very familiar foe – George Washington.
The Flying Eagles and the Patriots have played five time this year with Woodrow winning three times.
The last win was for the Region 3 championship that saw the Flying Eagles go down 2-0 before storming back to win the best-of-five match 3-2.
“I had seniors that were not going to let us lose that game and that is huge,” Rhodes said. “I have been blessed with great leadership over my years here. Everyone has stepped up to lead in their own way.”
Match six will likely feature no surprises from either side.
“It is both good and bad,” Rhodes said about facing GW again less than a week after the regional clash. “It is good in the fact that we know we can beat them and we just did beat them. It is bad because now they know how we play. They have film on us and in turn, we have film on them. It is what it is and we will be ready.”
Wooton for one likes the rematch with the Patriots.
“I think we just need to come out strong and use what we know about GW since we have seen them multiple times,” Wooton said. “I think it is good for us to play a team that we have already seen and a team that we have already beaten.”
