Mustang spikers face rebuilding task

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 2 September 2013 at 12:00 am

Photo by Mike Wertman – VETERAN SPIKERS: Leading Medina into the upcoming volleyball season are these varsity returnees. In front are Hailey Jakubowski, Mary Beth Rizzo and Jade Kenyon. In back are Felisha Houseman, Jenna Carpenter and Sam Wendling.

It’s a good news, bad news situation as the Medina High volleyball squad preps for the upcoming Niagara-Orleans League season.

The good news is that the Mustangs are coming off their best N-O season in six years having posted a 6-6 record last fall. The bad news is that five of six starters from that squad have graduated.

The losses from that squad include Abby Button, who earned first team N-O All-League honors, Jessica Rosenbeck, who was a second team selection, along with Alba Perez and Nakisha Jones who were both honorable mention picks.

Senior Jenna Carpenter is the lone returning starter for the Mustangs who also have varsity experience in seniors Hailey Jakubowski, Jade Kenyon, Mary Beth Houseman and Felisha Houseman along with juniors Nicole Blount and Emma Ambrose and freshman Emily Kams.

Rounding out the squad are senior Sam Wendling, juniors Brittany Button, Amanda McCauley and Brittany Schultz, sophomore Cassie Sargent and freshman Molley Gross.

“I’m really excited about the group of kids we have. They have good athleticism and show a lot of promise,” Coach Tim Lincoln said. “A lot of them played a lot over the summer and I think we’ll reap the benefits of that.”

The Mustangs open the N-O season at CSAT on Sept. 3 with the first home match slated for Sept. 9 against Roy-Hart.

Medina’s schedule is as follows:
Sept. 3 – at CSAT, 6:15 p.m.
Sept. 5 – at Akron, 6:15 p.m.
Sept. 7 – at Albion Tournament, 9 a.m.
Sept. 9 – Roy-Hart, 6:15 p.m.
Sept. 11 – Newfane, 6:15 p.m.
Sept. 17 – at Albion, 6:15 p.m.
Sept. 23 – Wilson, 6:15 p.m.
Sept. 25 – CSAT, 6:15 p.m.
Sept.26 – Akron, 6:15 p.m.
Oct. 1 – at Roy-Hart, 6:15 p.m.
Oct. 3 – at Newfane, 6:15 p.m.
Oct. 9 – Albion, 6:15 p.m.
Oct. 17 – at Wilson, 6:15 p.m.