Same tradition, new leadership: Warriors rolling through 2014 season

Winning is nothing new to the Leyton High volleyball program.

In the past seven years, the Warriors have compiled a record of 178-37-1. Under the direction of head coach Jodi Craig – now in her 17th season with the program – Leyton (18-6) has put together another superb season.

Leyton went 30-3 a year ago – 2013 was its second consecutive 30-win campaign. But it lost two standout players – Kelsey Waite and Kassandra Harris – to graduation.

"We did lose some very talented players," Craig said. "But they are the ones who challenged these girls and made them better players. It's my belief that success breeds success. Each year the different combination of girls has to create their own atmosphere and cohesiveness."

Senior outside/middle hitter Sheala Jenkins, setter/middle blocker Kaitlyn Berner and the versatile Dani McKay have taken the reigns of another very strong Warriors squad. Together, the three have combined for 348 kills and 660 digs.

Jenkins admitted that she wasn't quite sure where her team would be at this year, given the roster turnover.

"To be honest, I didn't know what to expect of our team coming into the season," Jenkins said. I never expected our team to be as good as it has been and winning MAC proved we can do anything."

The Warriors won the MAC Conference tournament for the ninth year in a row this season, going 3-0 in the tourney. Leyton swept both Minatare and emerging powerhouse Creek Valley and defeated Bayard two sets to one. Craig said her team played dynamically and handled the pressure of winning well.

The team is sitting very comfortably in the D2 District 11 standings at 8-1. The Warriors play in an easy district – the second place team is 3-6 in district play and just 3-16 overall – but that doesn't affect the way Leyton practices and prepares for each and every game.

"They are continuing to enhance the tradition of Warrior volleyball," Craig said. "Strong work ethic and their (the Leyton players') passion for volleyball have definitely been major factors in this year's success so far."

Versatility and growth of some of the younger players have also been key for the Warriors this season.

"We are all very versatile," Jenkins said. "I know a lot of us can play in many different positions and coach (Craig) knows that."

"We've had a lot of the younger girls step up and we're young and we're learning," Berner said. They've played their roles, they know how to work with us and are willing to take criticism. That helps us come together a lot better. We've been able to come together and prove everyone wrong instead of trying to live up to something."

Before the season, Craig said that to be successful this season, the Warriors would have to count on those younger players. They've delivered so far and it's showing in Leyton's record and play.

"I've been very pleased with the effort and progress of our younger players," Craig said. "(Sophomore) Taylor Berner has stepped into being the other setter in our 6-2 offense, and has done a fantastic job of improving as the season progresses. The other three sophomores, Cheyenne Nickle, Hope Dykman and Bailey Miller are awesome in that I can throw them into any position at any point during a game and they do their job."

McKay believes the continuity of her team has led to success this year. She's been playing with some of the same girls for years. She has also had to switch positions since the summer, but has adjusted very well.

"We're connecting really well," McKay said. "This is the same team we had when we were younger that won MAC in junior high. We work really well together this year. I started the summer playing as a right side and outside (hitter), and now I play as a middle. It takes getting to know where you need to be and I think we've found what works for us."

The Warriors qualified for the Class D2 state tournament last season, but fell to the eventual champion Giltner in the first round. Leyton is hoping to redeem itself this fall and is well on its way.

The team play a triangular against rivals Potter-Dix and Banner County at home Tuesday night at 5 p.m.