Katie Zito and Paige Hill exude enthusiasm when they talk about Jackson volleyball.
The co-captains realize there are high expectations for the Polar Bears this season, and they embrace them.
“We are all really excited for this year,” Zito said. “We have worked extremely hard and put in a lot of time to get better. We made it to regional last year, and that had never happened in Jackson history.”
Zito and Hill played key roles on a Jackson team that posted a 22-4 overall record. The team advanced to a Division I regional semifinal last season and lost to Brecksville-Broadview Heights at Hudson. The Polar Bears defeated Kenmore, Lake, Wadsworth and rival North Canton Hoover in sectional and district play at Barberton.
“They bring leadership and stability,” Jackson coach Jeff Walck said of the duo. “When the team starts to get in a rut and are not playing well, they will step up. Those two will ask or demand for the ball and make something happen.”
Hill is a 6-foot-2 junior middle hitter, and Zito is a 5-foot-9 senior outside hitter.
“Paige is at her best on the net with blocks and kills,” Walck said. “She dominates the net offensively and defensively. Katie provides excellent all-around skills, both in the front and back row. She gives us points attacking in the front row and keeps points happening against us with her serve reception and passing in the back row.”
Hill has a scholarship offer from Eastern Kentucky and is drawing interest from Connecticut, Miami (Ohio) and High Point. Colleges from Division I to Division III are also scouting Zito.
“Our expectations this season are obviously to win the Federal League,” Hill said. “Why play to not win? We also want to advance further and make it down to state.”
Jackson made its tournament run with no seniors on the roster last season, meaning this year’s players have experience.
“I think Kristin Cardwell is a big part of our team as the setter,” Walck said. “She is a junior, but this is her third year on varsity. I think when we get under fire, she stays calm, cool and collected. She doesn’t get too up or down. She stays consistent.”
Junior Laura Kelly also returns with seniors Ally Furbay, Jordan Hunter, Lindsey Brown, Ashley Spangler and Emily Plajer.
“We return everyone and added a few new younger players that are really good, too,” Hill said. “We are looking really good. I think the best thing about our team is that we don’t have any weak links. In practice, everyone plays on a high level. We are getting quality competition playing against each other.
“We are excited. This is going to be a great season.”
Hoover won the past two Federal League titles with undefeated records of 7-0 and 7-0 in conference play. The Vikings and Perry Panthers appear to be the biggest threats to keeping Jackson from winning the league crown.
“We have high expectations for ourselves,” Zito said. “We know the competition will be really tough in the Federal League with Hoover, Perry and all the rest of the league schools.
“We haven’t won the Federal League since I have been in Jackson. We always say another goal is to go to state.”
Walck is confident his team will have a season to remember.
“I don’t know why you would want to be an athlete or coach and not want to make a deep tournament run,” Walck said. “It is the coaches’ and kids’ dream to make a tournament run and make it to state.”
Read the high school blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/varsity_letters/. Also on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ABJ_Varsity.
