Fall 2019 Preview: Verona Volleyball

By Chris Parker

Verona volleyball returns a wealth of talent from last year’s 11-17-1 team with only one senior graduating from that group.

That one senior was an important one though. Rita Castillo was Verona’s lone first-team all-conference selection. She led the Lady Wildcats in kills with 195.

“You could say (we will miss) everything. You start with leadership. She (Castillo) was one of the best leaders that I have ever coached in any sport. She set a high standard and demanded that (her teammates) follow that standard. She was a great communicator on the court. Defensively she set the tempo. She could do it all. We are going to miss her a lot,” Verona Head Coach Brad Stewart said.

Verona does return one all-conference selection in setter Carolina Castillo. The three-year starting senior earned honorable mention all-conference honors thanks to her 294 assists.

“Carolina is more of a quiet leader. She is going to make right play. Her teammates and I have a lot of confidence in her,” Stewart said. “It makes it a lot easier when you know that you are not hunting for a setter.”

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Senior Hailee Wilkinson will look to replace some of the lost production from Castillo as the team’s top option at outside hitter. Wilkinson put down 105 kills last year.

“She has had a really good summer. She is a hard-working young lady. She has probably taken over the leadership role for team,” Stewart said. “She is an explosive athlete. She will take the role as our No. 1 hitter.”

Juniors Paige Bauer and Sydney Gamroth return as third-year starters. Both will potentially see time at middle and outside hitter.

Seniors Kristen Krueger, Shelby Freiburger and Ashley Freiburger will also factor into the varsity equation. Junior Courtney Freiburger along with sophomores Yoselin Martinez, Grace Nelson and Alyssa Tosh and freshmen Brooke Carey and Violet Tosh will all be players to watch for Verona this year.

Verona has depth and experience, but leadership will be key to the success.

“We have a lot of players back. About 10 girls contributed this summer. Our depth is a lot better as far as players that can help us on the varsity level. The (big) question is, can we be better without Rita? Because Rita did a ton,” Stewart said. “I think it gets down to leadership. If we can get the leadership that she (Rita Castillo) provided with the players coming back then we feel like we can be better.”

Stewart hopes the team comes together and can turn last year’s losing record around.

“We felt like we were really competitive last year. We played some really good teams with some really tough matches. We didn’t always win, but we were competitive. I guess you could say would be to try and flip that (11-17) record. It is going to be a challenge for them,” Stewart said.

Verona opens the season on Sept. 3 at Hurley.