One step further: Bermudian Springs Volleyball
By Brandon Stoneburg
We're only a few weeks away from the start of fall sports season. We've been previewing each football team for the past two months, but it's time to check in on the other sports. Here we'll preview girls volleyball in the Hanover-Adams area. Next up: Bermudian Springs.
Bermudian Springs Eagles
Last year: 15-3, 10-2 in YAIAA Division III, reached District 3 playoffs, lost in second round to Brandywine Heights
Coach: Mike Beachy (7th season)
Key players lost: Alexa Frey (OH), Cheyenne Topper (Libero), Caitlyn Rohrbaugh (OH/MB), Emily Riser (OPP)
Key players returning: Mady Whitcomb (Sr., MB), Gabby Emeigh (Sr., S), Miki Seifert (Sr., Libero), Celia Caldwell (Sr., MB)
Team strength: Setting and middle blocking. Why? Because the Eagles' two returning starters are Mady Whitcomb (Middle blocker), who was a GameTimePA second-team all star, and Gabby Emeigh (setter), who was honorable mention last season. Delone Catholic head coach Jason Leppo called Whitcomb and Emeigh two of the best returning players in the division. So, the Eagles should be one of the better teams in the middle.
Any concerns?: Bermudian brings back just two starters, and while those two are all-league talents, the challenge will be meshing the group around them. Beachy will have to fill in two new outside hitters and a libero. Expect senior Miki Seifert to slide into that libero position recently held by Cheyenne Topper. Improving ball control and team defense are also at the top of Beachy's priority list, he said.
Keep an eye on: Jenna Rohrbaugh (Jr., S/OH/Opp), Alaina Murren (Jr., Opp)
Beachy specifically pointed at these two juniors as players to keep an eye on this season. Both could play significant roles with the team replacing four departed seniors. Rohrbaugh's versatility and ability to play multiple positions could be a huge asset for the Eagles.
Storyline to follow: Can the Eagles take it one step further?
The Eagles lost just two regular season games in 2014 (Thanks, Delone), and eventually made a District 3 postseason appearance, where they beat division-rival Hanover for a third time before losing to Brandywine Heights. From the very beginning of the season, the team had one goal in mind: to make it further than they had in 2013 when they lost in the opening round of districts to Northern York in five sets. They achieved that goal, and now Beachy and the Eagles would like to take it one step further. They might not challenge perennial-favorite Delone in the division, but they have a solid chance to build a postseason-worthy team around Whitcomb and Emeigh. It might take a few weeks to gel the new starting lineup, but expect Bermudian to be in the thick of the postseason race.