Woodrow Wilson volleyball head coach Bre Rhodes entered the 2021 season full of excitement. While she had solid returning talent, the majority of the excitement stemmed from team chemistry.
“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. That team believed in itself and they believed in each other. That is the biggest part.”
On a team that lost five seniors to graduation, belief in each other and team chemistry led to a return trip to the state tournament after capturing the sectional and regional titles.
This year the Flying Eagles will again be replacing some dynamic seniors that led that team to Charleston. However, the good news for Beckley fans is Rhodes has that same excitement in her voice this year.
“A lot of them got to play travel (volleyball) together, so the chemistry is unmatched. It is something that you can’t coach. It just has to happen,” Rhodes said. “Out of the eleven, only four of them are not on the same club team. It feels like they have played together for years, so I am excited.”
With such a high level of team chemistry already place, this team is already way ahead of the curve for the preseason.
“We don’t have to work on that team bonding, chemistry type stuff that you have the first couple of weeks,” Rhodes said. “We have been able to jump right in to positions, rotations and trying to find the best fit. So, it definitely puts us a little ahead of where we are normally.”
Abby Dillon returns as the setter following an exceptional freshman season that included 1,168 assists, an average of over nine assists per set.
“It definitely helps having someone consistent in that position. Setting is a hard position to coach for me,” Rhodes said. “Abby touches the ball every time the ball is on our side, so having her back is a big help for sure. All sports run through her veins, but volleyball especially. The knowledge has been ingrained in her for a long time and really helps.”
Although Woodrow Wilson will be a young team this year, it does have solid leadership from a pair of seniors, ZaMahya Moss and Leslie Ball.
Moss has been a dominate force on the front row, while Ball has been a key player on the back row for the Flying Eagles.
“With ZaMahya playing travel ball with Abby, that connection has helped a lot. She has grown tremendously and we are excited to have her back on the front row,” Rhodes said. “Leslie is very consistent on the back row and she has a consistent serve. She will definitely help us out back there.”
The back row is rarely seen as the glamorous position in volleyball, but it’s where a successful possession starts.
“It all starts with the pass and we have some great options on the back row. I have two juniors, Abby Mower and Emily Gallaher that will be playing libero for us and fighting for that position. They both have great qualities,” Rhodes said. “I have a sophomore playing opposite of Abby Dillon at right back in Skyler Jeffrey. She can play all the way around, but I just need her in the back row right now.”
With solid players in place to put the ball in place for the kill, the Flying Eagles have several strong options to compliment Moss up front.
Junior Saira Diehl has a solid swing and came up big for Woodrow at key times in the postseason last year.
“Dalya Hasan is also a setter, so I will use her a little bit in both positions,” Rhodes said “She has nice hands to go along with a great swing on the front. She solid on the back row. Salia Harris will play left side. She has a great swing with a lot of power behind them.”
Alanna Penn will move into the middle up front to take over for graduated all-stater Olivia Ziolkowski.
“She has some big shoes to fill, but she has worked hard this summer and she has come a long ways,” Rhodes said. “Alanna has looked good so far blocking and hitting both.”
Rhodes also has a strong group of freshman this season.
One of her youngsters is showing flashes of another Woodrow Wilson standout, Elysia Salon, who came from through St. Francis as well.
“Then we have Anya Hasan, Dalya’s sister, coming from St. Francis who has the prettiest approach I have ever seen,” Rhodes said. “It’s a self taught approach and it really helps when I don’t have to correct errors. She reminds me of Elysia. Just a solid freshman player with a great demeanor. She will be a player to keep your eyes on the next couple of years.”
With only six upperclassmen, could youth be a concern for Woodrow in the heat of battle this year?
Rhodes does not see youth as a concern and is convinced her team can win its way back to the state tournament.
“With their talent, it is not. We have a good mix, but with the talents that the freshman and sophomores have, it is not a concern,” Rhodes said. “They are hungry and they understand what it takes to get there. They have put the work in during the off-season and they were busy during the three-week period. We have worked through three-hour practices, so I feel like they are ready.
Woodrow Wilson opens the season Saturday when it hosts the annual Shirley Brown Invitational.
The tournament will consist of eight teams divided into two pools.
Independence, Princeton and Hurricane will join Woodrow in Pool A, while Shady Spring, PikeView, George Washington and University will make up Pool B.
Pool play will start at 9 a.m. and all teams will advance the single elimination tournament following pool play.
Doors will open at 8 a.m.
