volleyball2_120The Lansing High School Varsity Volleyball Team completed their 2011 season with a 12-4 record, 11-3 in conference play. The Bobcats finished second in the IAC North Conference with rival Trumansburg finishing in 1st place. Some believed that the Bobcats could finish higher after an impressive start to the season. But it was Trumansburg that went to the final four in the State Championship Tournament with a very good team that swept their way through the IAC North only to lose in the IAC Championship to perennial powerhouse Tioga. Still, the Lansing Bobcats had their way with the balance of conference foes.

Said Coach Brenda Powers: "I am proud of the girls’ accomplishments this season. It is a group that I will never forget. They are a very close knit group."

"We have  a solid group of (current)  juniors that will build the foundation as we look ahead to next summer and fall. I will look to them for leadership as they are a very capable group of underclassmen," Powers said,  "They will need to improve, and I challenge each of my returning varsity players to take their game to the next level. And, with several ascending sophomores and promising freshmen, we will be plenty competitive next year."

Indeed, next fall will see the return of All-Stars Hannah Armstrong and Kelsey Thomas, a 2011 co-captain. Keara Lowenhar, Jada Gooch, Shalyn Watson and Meghan Judd showed promise and are looking to move into starting roles. “They may have been in reserve roles this year, but we will need each of them to focus on off-season improvement if they are to help make us a top notch team. They are all capable and I believe in each of them. They will get a shot”.

Current junior varsity players  Abby Bertonica, Sam Detrick, Audrey Eastman, Kaleigh Hotchkin, Annie Reynolds and Allison Washburn will vie for positions as regulars as they look to move up to the varsity level. Coach Powers may take a hard look at current freshman Emily Schweitzer and Cassidy Towner to help fill the shoes of key front row graduates, too. Whether they play varsity or return to the JV level will depend on their progress at the club level this winter.

"It is always competitive and I will give everyone the opportunity to improve," Powers said.

Junior Hannah Armstrong was named the 'Most Valuable Player' while Caroline Prybyl received the 'Coach’s Award' at the Lansing High School Fall Athletic Awards night on Tuesday.

Demonstrating the talent of the 2011 team, seven Lansing team members were given All-IAC North Honors for their play this season:

1st Team:

Hannah Armstrong, Junior

Caroline Prybyl, Senior

2nd Team:

Amber Howser, Senior

Amber Ryan, Senior

Nicole Washburn, Senior

Honorable Mention:

Shanna Shaff, Senior

Kelsey Thomas, Junior

Sally Stoyell and Caroline Prybyl were selected as IAC 'Scholar Athletes'.

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