Windham Bomber Volleyball Preview by Briah D.

Photo courtesy of Briah D.

Head Coach: Lauryn Gintert (10th season)

Assistant Coach: Mike Chaffee

Returning Letterwinners (4): Ka’Neese Cunningham, Briah Daniel, Quinn Justham, Sydnie Sweet

Letterwinners Lost (2): Za’Nya Henderson, Julia Jones

Overall: Despite only losing two seniors, Za’Nya Henderson, and Julia Jones, the Bombers lost important players who played big roles. However, with new and returning talent, the program is set for success. The Bombers are returning significant experience, with seniors Briah Daniel and Ka’Neese Cunningham providing strong hitting in the front row.

Cunningham led the Bombers in the 2022- 2023 season in Kills Per Set with 2.0, while also tallying 44 service aces and 157 kills. Daniel was strong in the middle for the Bombers last season with 158 kills and 119 blocks, which was 9th most in Ohio for Division IV.

The Bombers will also return a good all-around player in Junior, Quinn Justham. Justham totaled 46 service aces last season, as well as 340 Digs and 324 assists (3rd most in the Northeastern Athletic Conference). This season the Bombers are gaining new seniors Memphys Lough and Angelina Jones who both will quickly step into big roles. Lough will be setting and hitting right side for the Bombers, while Jones will be hitting out of the middle. Jones should make an immediate impact with her athleticism and strong hitting.

Causes For Concern: The biggest concern coming into this season is the lack of a Libero. Last year’s libero, Za’Nya Henderson, played a huge role in the back row for the Bombers. With her absence, coach Lauryn Gintert and the team will have to make a few adjustments. “For the first time in ten years of coaching volleyball, we do not have a Libero and it is a big adjustment for us all,” said coach Gintert.

Without a libero, each player will have to step up,  work together, and communicate to help the team. Even though not having a libero will be a big challenge for the Bombers, coach Gintert believes that the team will benefit from the situation. “I feel that although it has been a struggle and caused us to shift pieces around the board, it has also made our team stronger and in some ways more flexible.”

Front Row: Coming into the season, the Bombers are set to have a very strong front row. With the combination of seniors Daniel and Jones hitting out of the middle, the bombers should dominate. Both players are very athletic, strong, and powerful. “Our strong middle will be hard for teams to top with great blocking and powerful hitting,” said Gintert. The outside will also be a problem for other teams with Cunningham, freshman Makenzi Blockinger, and Junior Na’Zya Henderson. With Cunningham’s experience and strength, she is set to have a great senior season. She has been playing varsity volleyball since her freshman year and has improved tremendously since then, she will be one to watch.

Back Row: The back row for the Bombers, even without a libero, will be strong as well. A main presence in the back row will be sophomore, Sydnie Sweet. After setting last season, Sweet will now be passing in the back row for the Bombers. She has improved a lot and will make a big impact. Another notable back row presence will be junior setter, Quinn Justham. Justham is a great passer and is very good at anticipating the ball. She is quick and will certainly be a big help for the Bombers. Cunningham will also be a back-row player that will be a big help for the bombers. Senior middles Jones and Daniel are capable passers that will step up for the team. All of the players that will be passing in the back row are capable of making up for the fact that they don’t have a libero.

Team Leadership: Being in the setting position, Justham will be a definite team leader. “We have had Quinn Justham in this position for the past two years and as a Junior, she will once again be leading the team as a setter and a team player,” said Gintert. Justham is very vocal, an all-around player, and a natural leader. When watching her play, you will see her motivating her teammates and always being positive to help the team work together and win.

A new player will also be stepping into a leadership position for the Bombers. “Last school year ended with current senior middle hitter Briah Daniel making it to the State meet in Track. She worked extremely hard to find her way to the podium and came back with a little more confidence and determination. I have already seen that energy on the court this year and think it will push her to be the senior leader I always knew she could be,” said Gintert.

With the combination of Justham and Daniel, the Bombers have strong leadership to help the team come together and achieve their goals. “Having both of these girls working side by side on the court to inspire the team’s motivation has the potential to lead to amazing things.”

Coaching Addition: This year, there was a new addition to the Bomber volleyball coaching staff with Mike Chaffee taking the job as assistant coach. Chaffee has been coaching volleyball for 34 years, 27 of those being at Windham. During his 34 years of coaching, he has won 11 league championships and 10 District championships. Because of these accomplishments, Chaffee is a member of the Windham High School Hall of Fame as well as the Ohio Volleyball Coaches Hall of Fame. “I feel honored and excited about coming back to Windham,” Chaffee said. “It feels like coming home. I’m excited to work with coach Gintert and I think we can have a great season.” 

Season Preview: Overall, the Bombers are set to have a great season. They have girls who play very well together and work hard. “We have all the ingredients for a stupendous year, sometimes I don’t think the girls realize they already have what they need,” Gintert said. “We just need the entire team to get in the kitchen and work together to make it happen.” With the combination of Justham’s setting, Daniel and Jones’ middle hitting, Cunningham, Henderson, and Blockinger working the outside, and Sweet in the back row, the Windham Bombers will be a team that is hard to beat.

Varsity Volleyball Fall 2023-2024 Schedule: 

Aug. 21 vs. Champion

Aug. 24 @ Bloomfield

Aug. 28 @ Chalker

Aug. 29 vs. Bristol

Aug. 31 @ St. John and Paul

Sep. 05 vs. Lordstown

Sep. 07 @ Badger

Sep. 11 vs. Maplewood

Sep. 12 vs. Mathews

Sep. 14 @ Fairport

Sep. 16 Frances Davis Invitational

Sep. 18 @ Pymatuning Valley

Sep. 20 vs. Waterloo

Sep. 21 vs. Chalker

Sep. 25 @ Bristol

Sep. 26 vs. St. John and Paul

Sep. 28 @ Lordstown

Oct. 02 vs. Bloomfield

Oct. 05. NAC Crossover Game

Oct. 09 @ Newton Falls