The Wyoming East volleyball team has now compiled two of the best seasons in school history, but it is ready for more.
Prior to 2022, the Warriors had captured just one sectional title. Now the New Richmond girls are eying a sectional championship three-peat in 2024.
Even though the successful ride has been nothing short of impressive, Wyoming East has ended the last two seasons a little short of its ultimate goal.
“We have a goal and the goal is to make it to states for the first time in school history. For the girls it is a huge goal,” head coach Tabitha Lusk said. “For the juniors on this team, that was their goal as freshman. They wanted to go the state tournament as freshman. We have been knocking on the door, but we ended up battling (Herbert) Hoover and they were a great team.”
Unfortunately for the Warriors, playing in Class AA Region 3 meant they had to battle the Huskies to earn a state tournament berth the last two years.
Hoover won both matches and eventually advanced to the semifinals of the state tournament.
The good news for Warrior Nation is the fact that reclassification for 2024 has placed East on a more even playing field.
Although Wyoming East remained a Class AA school, former double-A foes Shady Spring, Herbert Hoover, Independence and PikeView all moved up to Class AAA under the new four-class system.
“They feel much better going into this season than they have in the past. The new (classifications) leveled the playing field for us,” Lusk said. “Wyoming East is barely a double-A school, so it was some tough competition for us.”
Bluefield, Mingo Central and Westside are grouped with the Warriors in section one, while James Monroe, Liberty (R), Midland Trail and Summers County make up section two.
The top two teams from each section advance to the regional play with the sectional winner hosting the section runner-up from the opposite side. Both co-regional champions will advance to Charleston for the state tournament.
“The girls are a little more optimistic this year with the new regional lineup, but we still have a tough region,” Lusk said. “We have James Monroe and Liberty which is another great school. We still have our work cut out for us. They see the light at the end of this and that is what they are working towards.”
The road may not be quite as steep this year, but it doesn’t mean there have not bumps and setbacks along the way.
After running out to a 5-0 record, the Warriors dropped a match to James Monroe. Prior to the showdown with the Mavericks, who were ranked No. 4 in AA at the time, East was forced into some roster adjustments. The abrupt line-up change was evident against one of the best teams in the state.
“We struggled with our blocks today. Our lineup is a little bit different and we are still getting used to that, “Lusk said after the match. “Our timing was a little off. Our back row is where our lineup change was and we are still struggling to learn our coverage and figure out where we need to be. Playing a team like James Monroe really highlights where we are sloppy.”
Further complicating things for East was an injury to do-it-all junior Karlee Lusk who missed the weekend tournament at Nicholas County.
However, through the adversity, the Warriors rolled into the championship match without dropping a set over five matches, including a win over eventual tournament champion Greenbrier West who is ranked No. 1 in Class A.
The strength this year for Wyoming East in largely along the front line led by junior hitter Carli Raye who averages four kills per set.
“Carli is a powerhouse hitter and a great blocker. We have Karlee Lusk who can hit, block and run as a setter. We have Carlee Rollins and Amanda Silva. Carlee Rollins is really coming into her roll as a blocker. She will get there.”
Silva is an exchange student from Brazil who has been impressive early in the season. The sophomore hitter is second on the team in kills and blocks.
Raye and Silva are also effective on the back line leading the Warriors in digs and receptions.
“Amanda played for her school in Brazil and played for a local club,” Lusk explained. “One of the things she really wanted to do when she got here was play volleyball. She is pretty impressive and she can really play.”
Junior Lauren Staton has been stellar from the service line and sets the table for the big hitters.
Another strong asset for Wyoming East is depth and balance. Now they just have to get on the same page when the postseason arrives in late October.
“We have had a great season so far. We have played really hard and things are going well,” Lusk said. “There have been some hiccups and with teenage girls you always have a little drama going on, but we have great girls. We will overcome that and keep pushing through.”
