Albion spikers prep for N-O title defense

Photo by Mike Wertman – Leading Albion into the defense of its Niagara-Orleans League volleyball title this season will be these returning starters. From left, are Chanyce Powell, Sara Millspaugh, Meghan Hurley and Kelsee Soule.

Anchored by a solid nucleus of four returning starters, Albion is prepping to defend its Niagara-Orleans League volleyball championship.

That veteran quartet includes senior Sara Millspaugh, juniors Meghan Hurley and Kelsee Soule and sophomore Chanyce Powell.

Millspaugh and Soule both earned first team N-O All-League honors last year while Powell was a second team pick and Hurley an honorable mention selection.

Soule, a three year regular, had 98 spiking kills and 35 service aces last season while Millspaugh had 97 kills and 33 aces.

“That’s really helpful to have that kind of experience back but we’ve still got to come out and bring it. You can’t rest on your laurels,” said Coach Ann Capacci whose Purple Eagles captured the N-O crown last season with a 12-0 record.

The other upperclassmen on the Purple Eagles roster include seniors Olivia Neidert, Tyquesha Jackson, Morgan Ferris, Mallory Broda and Elizabeth Bentley along with juniors Aleah Foos, Ashlee Bocach and Kassidy Hastings.

Key losses to graduation for the Purple Eagles were setter Jasmyn Smith and middle hitter Brooke Wilson.

“Our veterans really lead by example and we’ve got great senior leadership,” said Capacci. “Volleyball is really the ultimate team sport. You have to work together out there so we are focusing on doing the little things right and improving throughout the season.”

The Purple Eagles are scheduled to visit Attica (Sept. 2) and Byron-Bergen (Sept. 3) and then host their own tournament (Sept. 6) before opening defense of their N-O title at Medina on Sept. 8.

“We lost a couple of key starters to graduation but we have quite an amount of experience back so we are looking to be competitive,” said Capacci.

Albion’s Schedule

Sept. 2 – at Attica, 5 p.m. JV
Sept. 3 – at Byron-Bergen, 5 p.m. JV
Sept. 6 – Albion Tournament, 8 a.m.
Sept. 8 – at Medina, 5 p.m. JV
Sept. 10 – at Roy-Hart, 5 p.m. JV
Sept. 13 – at Starpoint Tournament, 8 a.m.
Sept. 16 – at Akron, 5 p.m. JV
Sept. 19 – Newfane, 5 p.m. JV
Sept. 22 – Cheektowaga, 5 p.m. JV
Sept. 24 – Wilson, 5 p.m. JV
Sept. 26 – at CSAT, 5 p.m. JV
Sept. 27 – at Churchville-Chili Tournament, 8 a.m.
Sept. 30 – Medina, 5 p.m. JV
Oct. 1 – at Notre Dame, 5 p.m. JV
Oct. 3 – Roy-Hart, 5 p.m. JV
Oct. 6 – Pembroke, 5 p.m. JV
Oct. 8 – Akron, 5 p.m. JV
Oct. 10 – at Newfane, 5 p.m. JV
Oct. 17 – at Wilson, 5 p.m. JV
Oct. 20 – CSAT, 5 p.m. JV