LAKEVILLE, IN. – A total of nine letterwinners return for LaVille head volleyball coach Pat Whiteman-Gring as the Lancer Volleyball team prepares to open the 2022 season. LaVille finished 11-15 overall last year, including 2-5 in the Hoosier North Athletic Conference. Among the nine returnees will be four seniors – Lucy Sherk, Olivia Leonhard, Emma Mears, and Quincy Blodgett. The 5-foot-10 Sherk is the top returning attacker from last season with 76 kills and a 24.4 kill percentage. She also is the top returning blocker after collecting 31 stuff blocks a season ago. Junior Ava Fuchs is the second leading attacker. The 5-foot-7 junior had 43 kills with a 22.3 kill percentage. Fuchs also had eight stuff blocks. “Lucy is an intense middle hitter, with great hands-on-blocking, and good spot/ace serving,” Whiteman-Gring said. “Ava moves easily from middle to outside, with strong hits in either position.” Karisma Lewis, a 5-foot-10 senior, will also be looked to help as a middle hitter. Leonhard returns on LaVille’s defensive side as the top specialist/libero after collecting 216 digs in 2021. Senior Quincy Blodgett picked up 119 digs in ’21 to give LHS experience in the back row. “Olivia is a four-year letterwinner, with good command of the back row,” said Gring. “Quincy provides steady backrow and hitter coverage.” Also expected to contribute during the 2022 season will be senior Emma Mears, along with juniors Kate Aschenbrenner, Elaina Borton, Caitlyn Goffinet, and Lily Smith. “Emma has nice back row coverage and back row attacking,” explained Whiteman-Gring. “She can easily step in to cover setting. “This will be Aschenbrenner’s first season starting as varsity setter,” continued the LaVille coach. “She pays nice attention to net plays. Bort gives great energy and direction. She plays the entire court well. Caitlyn is an incredibly versatile player, who can cover the net, set or play defense in the back row. Lily is a strong pin hitter on either side and is also an improving blocker. This is the first season starting varsity for Karisma. She has strong middle coverage.” LaVille graduated four players that had several strong contributions throughout the season. “Madelyn Fuchs was an outside and defensive specialist,” said Whiteman-Gring. “Madelyn had great speed and was a very calm and consistent player. Abby Goffinet played setter and right side hitter. Abby had great hands as a setter. And Kaley Mejer was an auxiliary player and a good server.” Fuchs and Goze led the Lancer offense with a combined 279 kills and 36.3 kill efficiency for Goze and 26.0 kill efficiency for Fuchs. Goze’s versatility and athleticism around the net will be missed following a 109 stuff block season. Goze departs with 406 career kills and 252 stuff blocks. “Olivia Goze played middle hitter and blocker,” said Whiteman-Gring. “Olivia had tremendous speed, great height and incredible arm and hand span. She led our (Hoosier North Athletic) conference in blocks.” When asked what she felt would be the biggest challenge for the season, Whiteman-Gring responded: “Height and blocking. Our squad has only a bit of height. Continuing to reach the best vertical becomes more challenging as the games progress and our blocking is usually the first thing to suffer in those circumstances. Serve receive and digs will be key for us. Our percentage of serve receive and dig errors went up last year which had a negative impact on our overall record. The challenge will be to turn that around.” Whiteman-Gring concluded by talking about the keys to the season for LaVille Volleyball. “Maintaining our stamina and quick feet,” said the LaVille coach. “Consistently passing and digging with accuracy will also be keys.” LaVille is scheduled to play host to South Bend St. Joseph on August 11 for a preseason scrimmage. The match is set to be played inside Dale E. Cox Gymnasium, with a 6 p.m. start. Gring’s club will officially start the season at the Peru Invitational on August 13 at 9 a.m. LAVILLE VOLLEYBALL Head Coach: Pat Gring (41-44 in three years at LaVille) Assistant Coaches: Addison Downer, Syd Coblentz 2021 Overall Record (Conference): 11-17 overall (2-5 in HNAC) Letterwinners Lost: 4 – Madelyn Fuchs, Abby Goffinet, Olivia Goze and Kaley Mejer Letterwinners Returning: 9 – Seniors Quincy Blodgett OH/DS, Olivia Leonhard L/DS, Emma Mears DS/RS, Lucy Sherk MH. Juniors – Kate Aschenbrenner S/RS, Elaina Borton S/RS, Ava Fuchs MH/OH, Caitlyn Goffinet RS/MH, Lily Smith RS/OH. Newcomers: Senior – Karisma Lewis MH Opener: At Peru Invitational, Aug 13