Looking ahead: 2022 WACO volleyball

WAYLAND — After losing a stacked senior class ahead of the 2021 volleyball season, the WACO Warriors needed a lot of new players to step up to fill the gaps. One year later, a more experienced Warrior squad gets set to ring in the fall.

The 2021 WACO volleyball team still went 21-13 despite a steep graduating class the year before. The Warriors finished out 3-5 in conference play.

The 2022 squad sees the return of almost the entire team. Included in that is the Top-6 killers from last year’s squad.

Ellah Kissell returns for her senior season after sniping 244 kills in 2021. Junior Emma Wagler finished last season with 141 kills. Senior Grace Coble had 110, and junior Marie Farmer hit the 100-kill mark as well, with 109.

The team also returns its Top-4 in digs. Seniors Jocelyn Fulton (422 digs), Kissell (281) and Coble (234) were all over 200 digs last year, while Halle Shelman enters her junior year after collecting 129 last season.

Along with her work at the net and in the digs category, Coble also dished out over 500 assists last season, finishing with 546.

WACO is already 3-0 to start the season after a perfect run at the Warriors’ home tournament on Aug. 22.

2022 WACO volleyball schedule

Aug. 22 Home tournament

Sept. 1 at Hillcrest Academy

Sept. 3 at English Valleys

Sept. 6 vs. Lone Tree

Sept. 8 at Louisa-Muscatine

Sept. 15 vs. Pekin

Sept. 17 at Cardinal

Sept. 22 at SEISC pool play

Sept. 24 at SEISC Finals

Sept. 27 at Lone Tree quad

Sept. 29 at Wapello

Oct. 4 vs. Winfield-Mount Union

Oct. 6 at Columbus

Oct. 8 at Washington

Oct. 11 vs. Highland

Oct. 17 Regionals