Wooster volleyball is a blend of experience and youth

From overcoming an injury to earning her second captain’s title, that’s the story of senior Lucy Franks, and it’s somewhat the theme of this year’s Wooster volleyball team. It’s a tough, experienced squad that went 19-6 and advanced to its first regional since 2007 a year ago and is anchored by eight seniors this year.

Chief among them are players like Franks and Brianna Hewitt, who is one of the best in the program’s history to set a volleyball, and, of course, the human ace in the hole, Sara Snowbarger. Hewitt currently has 2,053 career assists, which is 14th all-time and is just 662 assists away from tying Marin Dixon (2,715, 2022) for fourth all-time. Snowbarger checks in with 1,384 kills and is sixth all-time in area history.

For Franks, it’s been a story of perseverance as she suffered a torn meniscus to end her sophomore year. She came back last year, and in her eyes, she was just a notch below her own expectations.

“I was inconsistent last year,” Franks said. “This year it’s kind of just sprung off. I’ve loved playing on the varsity court, and it’s been an off-and-on thing. It’s definitely pushed me mentally, and I’ve become a lot stronger from it for sure.”

With seniors like the trio, leadership is something this year’s team is not lacking, as they opened with a three-set win over Ashland.

“The seniors help hold us accountable and help with us young girls coming up,” sophomore Jillian McCloud said. “They know how to lead. They feed off each other, and they are really good at it.”

The sophomore middle hitter looks to be settled in and primed for a big year.

“Last year I was out there, and I was really nervous,” she said. “This year I know my role on the court. I am much more confident, and I know what I can do, rather (than) just pray I get the ball over.”

There are other names, like fellow sophomore Hope Jones, who is another reason hopes are high throughout the early practices and scrimmages.

It's that perfect combination of experience, youth and balance across the lineup that has Wooster rolling early.

“I truly think that we have so much potential,” Franks said. “With our bonds together and how we work, that’s really special, and I haven’t seen something like that in a long time.”

With the seniors setting the tone, McCloud and the youth will look to add dynamite to an already talented group as they look to shine as one unit. With that continued growth, today looks pretty good, and tomorrow looks bright.