Norwayne volleyball ends 24-year wait for WCAL crown

It’s been 24 years since the Wayne County Athletic League volleyball crown has rested in Creston. Names like Heidi Gasser and Amanda Frank were just a few of those that dotted that roster. Since then, it’s seemed virtually impossible, not because there was a void of talent, just simply it was a mountain of a task due to other powers in the league.

Then the senior class of 2026 began to run the halls of Norwayne High School. Little did anyone know, they were the perfect keys to change. It is a class that is as talented as any, and they showed the "determination" to finally bring home that elusive title with a 13-1 WCAL record, earning a share with Dalton.

“Winning the WCAL has been our main goal since the beginning of this season,” said Lady Bobcats senior Cherish Bell, who used the word determination to describe this season.

“It felt amazing,” added fellow senior Reece Urban. “Never in my mind did I doubt this team was not capable. I knew that this team could achieve this as soon as our season ended last year. We were all so dedicated and knew we wanted to leave a mark for our senior season. Since the beginning of the season, we talked about earning the county title this year. Each and every practice, we pushed each other to be the best. We set high standards, and each one of us helps critique ourselves.”

It’s a group that includes fellow seniors Laney Dudte, Ava Maibach, Brooklyn Lanz, Lilly Henico and C.J. Moore. In many ways, this group embodies the cliche, "Iron sharpens iron," and through that, it’s brought them closer and created memories that they and the Norwayne community will forever remember, like the league title.

“We are a very competitive, athletic and determined group,” said Bell. “I love the fact that we are all so close and there is no drama on our team.”

Each senior plays a key role on this squad, and that’s something special. Maibach (325), Lanz (116), Urban (97) and Bell (95) lead a balanced attack, and Bell (50), Urban (48), Maibach (38), Moore (38) and Lanz (23) pace a strong serving game. Running the show is yet another senior in Moore with 432 assists. Urban (59), Maibach (46), Lanz (39) and Henico (31) are among the leaders in blocking, while Maibach (323), Bell (292), Dudte (204), Moore (148), Lanz (131) and Urban (119) pace the way defensively.

“All of us play an extremely important role on the court,” said Bell. “I think that has helped with our team’s success this season and helped us to get the best out of ourselves.”

It’s that combined effort that really has defined this group and helped them put it all together, as on Tuesday, Sept. 9, they hit a low. A trip to The Boneyard didn’t fare well as the Dalton won a five-set barnburner, handing the Lady Bobcats their third straight loss in a row (Canton Central Catholic, 2-0/Hiland, 2-0). At that point in the season, Norwayne had yielded 13 sets, going 20-13.

But something happened that night inside The Boneyard, and the league and the rest of the area could only be witnesses to what unfurled. From that night on, the Lady Bobcats unleashed their fury and played their best volleyball yet, going 42-1 to date in sets played, including avenging their loss to the Lady Bulldogs with a three-set sweep. A five-set win over Smithville on Sept. 4 was a distant memory as Norwayne swept it 3-0 and duplicated the feat over rival Waynedale. Its only other league competition was Hillsdale, which gave its best shot but lost both matches in straight 3-0 sets.

“Although we had a three-game loss streak, I truly think it made us more motivated,” said Urban. “The practice the day after our loss to Dalton was like a momentum shift for us. These losses made us stronger mentally and helped push us to be better.”

The seniors sharpened themselves through years of hard work, took a tough skid on the chin and bonded together even more. Now they are playing their best when it matters the most and looking to cap an unforgettable season with a final ride to remember.

With their 3-0 Division V district semifinal win over Wickliffe on Oct. 21, they tied the mark for most postseason wins by a single class at seven (2011, 7-4) since 2000. They can set a new mark and lead their program back to regionals for the first time since 1998 when they face Mentor Lake Catholic in a Div. V district final Oct. 23 at Streetsboro.

“We truly have the best bond, and I think that’s what makes us so special,” said Urban. “They are truly like my sisters, and I am so grateful for each and every one of them.

"I’ve never had so much fun playing volleyball before this year. Both on and off the court, these girls mean so much to me. The bond between us girls is only something I could’ve prayed for. These moments and memories are ones I will cherish forever.”