Onward and upward for Sugar Valley Volleyball
Summer Lamey, Emma Mundrick, Emma Fox, Isabell Culvey, Brynn Swanger,
Trinity McKeague, Olivia Johnson, Madison Calhoun.
LOGANTON, PA – 2020 was a break-through year for Sugar Valley volleyball and 2021 should be even better.
The Phoenix, despite playing on the road for all its games, finished at 5-5 a year ago in the regular season and capped the year with a first-ever appearance in the District 4 playoffs.
With a squad of 14, coach J.T. Bitner is excited about the upcoming season, especially because for the first time, Sugar Valley will have some home games. The school’s new gymnasium is nearing completion and at some point this season, a first-ever home volleyball game will be held there.
The team accomplishments are remarkable, considering through its previous four years of existence, the Phoenix has not been able to practice in a full size facility. It works out in the school’s multi-purpose room and for volleyball the court is five short and makes it hard to practice serving; plus tracking high balls is difficult as the room ceiling is something less than 20 feet hight.
Sugar Valley brings back four starters from a year ago and coach Bitner said they’re anxious to get started. “The girls and myself are super excited to possibly get to practice or play in the new gym. We are hoping for a first home game by late September.”
The team is scheduled to open the season Sept. 7 at Williamsport and is hopeful at some point this fall to play its first-ever contest at home.
