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FEBRUARY 4, 2021
2021 WLU Women’s Volleyball Preview After finishing the 2019 campaign with a record of 1715, the West Liberty University Women’s Volleyball team looks forward to the new beginnings the 2020-21 season hopes to bring. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has without a doubt given the women’s volleyball team unprecedented adversity throughout the past year, the team looks forward to pushing on with many familiar faces. One prominent familiar face is senior middle blocker Madison Clayton, from Roseville, Ohio. This small senior class also brings spotlight to senior outside hitter Emily Reedy, from Grosse Ile, Michigan. Standing at five-foot-six Reedy is known for her defensive specialties and is yet another key player vital to the team’s success. Finally, five-foot-seven senior setter Renee Lemke, out of Centerburg, Ohio, looks to make major strides this season, all while hoping to cement herself as a prominent team
captain. To round out the junior class, six-foot outside hitter Jenna Caskey, and five-foot-eleven middle blocker Mackenzie Daub, look to play important support roles to aid West Liberty’s success.
SPORTS
WLU Wrestling team continues to dominate the MEC
With upwards of ten underclassmen, the West Liberty Women’s volleyball team is primed to use their youth this season as a building block for years to come. These underclassmen include five-foot-eleven middle blocker Nina Billotto, five-foot-eleven setter Kirsten Bogunovich, fivefoot-eight defensive specialist Faith Hayes, five-foot-ten outside hitter Ashton Wronikowski, five-footeight outside hitter Katelynn Fritz, five-foot-five setter Laura Gamel, five-foot-six libero Nyia Setla, sixfoot-one right side Braidyn Reed, five-foot-nine outside Hitter Kaija Sydlowsk, and five-foot-ten middle blocker Ruby Countryman. Head Coach Riley Schenk is undoubtedly excited for the season opener, with the team’s first five matchups coming from Notre Dame College of Ohio, Alderson Broaddus University, Fairmont State University, Frostburg State University, and Notre Dame College of Ohio once more.
Pictured above: Jacob Simpson Photo Credits: Daniel Irwin
While some sports are still waiting to take action on the Hilltop, such as volleyball and football, the West Liberty University Wrestling team continues to show their dominance, especially throughout the Mountain East Conference. The Hilltopers have quickly jumped to a 4-0 record, including victories over teams such as Glenville State College (37-12), Alderson Broaddus University (38-10), Fairmont State University (25-18), and Glenville State College (33-21). These team leaders have not only seen massive success for their team, but they also have been successful individually. Graduate Student Logan Kemp (197 pounds) out of Centerville, Ohio, is one of the team leaders the Hilltoppers have laid anchor on.
Photo Credits: Riley Schenk
Being a veteran for the Hilltoppers, he has undoubtedly helped set an example of the team’s standard, and one of which Kemp hopes is continued on after his departure. Joining Kemp as a Graduate Student is 165 pounds Christian Rivera out of Orlando, Florida. Perhaps
what is most unique of this Hilltoppers wrestling team is the family ties seen throughout the roster. The first brother duo contributing heavily to the team is the Morgan brothers. Out of Ripley, West Virginia, Chase Morgan (165 pounds), and Chance Morgan (174 pounds) are both slotted in the starting lineup. Furthermore, the Morgantown, West Virginia natives Matt Simpson (133 pounds) and Jacob Simpson (141 pounds) have been working off one another throughout their careers, all with the intent of becoming a champion while wearing the black and gold. The Mazik brothers, Miles and PJ out of Mingo Junction, help the Hilltoppers in more ways than one, but specifically through their nonstop motor. Finally, Weirton, West Virginia natives, Alec Cook (149 pounds) and Garrett Cook (184 pounds) have taken their success from high school and translated it to the college level. With how deep this Hilltoppers roster is, it is understandable that the Hilltoppers are primed for success for this year’s campaign. With the MEC Championships taking place on Feb. 6th, expect the Hilltoppers to make some noise.
