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WILKES-BARRE — Sometimes, there are just certainties.
One of those is Holy Redeemer will field one of the best volleyball teams in the state.
Want to know the scary part?
“This is potentially the best team we’ve had at Holy Redeemer since 2009, the year we went to the state semifinals and almost beat Merion Mercy,” head coach Jack Kablick said. “We’ve had some good teams here, don’t get me wrong. But all-around, this might be the best.”
That’s probably not something Wyoming Valley Conference foes wanted to hear.
Then again, it doesn’t come as a surprise.
“Right now, Holy Redeemer is the team to beat, and I think everyone in the conference knows that,” Wyoming Area head coach Nick Diaco said. “They have an amazing program, and it shows with the championships they’ve won, and the success they’ve had in the state tournament.”
The Royals have never lost a Wyoming Valley Conference match, carrying a win streak touching 150 straight. Redeemer’s D2 victory streak is even more impressive, nearing almost 170.
And it may not end this season.
Returning is all-state selection and 2014 Times Leader Player of the Year Lauren Slavoski, a powerful hitter with a potent jump-serve. She may, quite possibly, be the best player in the state.
But here’s what sets the Royals apart. The offense will be spread around five hitters – Slavoski, Amanda Curcio, Kassie Schinski, Caroline Banas and Brynn Kukosky.
Add to it that each girl is 5-foot-10 or taller.
“Even our setter, Courtney Kijek, is 5-foot-10,” Kablick said. “This team has height, but more importantly, they are all athletic kids.”
The future looks pretty bright, too. Redeemer will have six freshmen on the varsity roster. That’s impressive considering how powerful Kablick’s team is, and the quality of athletes currently in the program.
What else can you expect in 2015?
That’s the big question that will play itself out. Most don’t seem to know right now, with the exception that Redeemer is the head of the class.
Teams like Delaware Valley and North Pocono always seem to push Redeemer, and that’s still expected this season. Crestwood lost Bryanna Hurn, but returns Karissa Levonoskie and Julie Murphy.
And then, you have those dark-horse contenders.
This year, look no further than Wyoming Area where Diaco returns a good portion of his squad that made the District 2 Class 2A postseason in 2014.
The real eye-opener for his girls was the postseason loss to Holy Redeemer in the opening round.
“Our girls understand that this could be a breakout season for us,” he said. “They also know what it is going to take. That playoff match showed the girls the level they need to reach in order to compete with Redeemer. I think it motivated our girls to improve in the offseason. They’ve work hard to get to this point.”
There will be some new faces on the sidelines.
Jim Kramer takes over the reins from Chris Summa at North Pocono. Lake-Lehman will have a new coach for the third consecutive season as former Marywood standout Taryn Tomassacci steps into head coaching duties. The third will be in Hazleton as Greg Cechak stepped down from the girls’ program. His replacement will be Kayla Jeckell.
Only one member of the 2014 Times Leader first team, Redeemer’s Slavoski, returns in 2015. However, four on the second squad are back. They are Wyoming Area’s Jess Sorick, Redeemer’s Kijek, GAR’s Banessa Flores and Tunkhannock’s Amanda Hardy.