Prep volleyball: Fenwick getting healthy, moving forward

The pieces are all in place for the Fenwick High School volleyball team.

After spending much of the early part of the season without two key players in the lineup, the Falcons are back at full strength.

Senior outside hitter Catherine Richards (who missed the first nine matches with a concussion) and senior outside hitter Riley Wildfeuer (who sat the bench for several games with an ankle injury) have combined for 91 kills and 68 digs in the past four matches.

The Falcons have posted three consecutive wins and dropped a hard-fought five-set decision to No. 1 ranked Alter since their return.

“Finally, the team we thought we’d have is back,” Fenwick coach Tyler Conley said. “It’s nice to have all the pieces out there.”

Down a pair of key upperclassmen for weeks, the Falcons didn’t quit — just the opposite — even with as many as five sophomores, some playing in their first varsity season, on the court at a time.

“It was tough. We had young players being asked to do things they were not ready for,” Conley said. “But this group of sophomores is very strong. They are incredibly hard workers. They do everything for the right reasons and are the most selfless girls I have ever coached.”

In some cases, they are also among the most talented players in the state as sophomore Grace Maziar leads all setters in Ohio with 542 assists. She is on pace to tally more than 1,000 assists this season.

“It wasn’t easy on her because she didn’t have the hitters she thought she’d have, but it was next person up for us,” Conley said.

Even with a 5-6 record last week, Fenwick still earned a ranking of 13th in the Division II state poll.

“It’s nice to have that kind of respect,” Conley said. “We know we’re not sneaking up on anyone anymore. We have a target on our back no matter who is in the program.”

That’s why having Richards and Wildfeuer back on the court is so important for the Falcons, who fell just one win shy of the state tournament a year ago. The outside hitters offer a powerful one-two punch for the Fenwick offense.

“Catherine is the emotional leader, a steadying voice for the team,” Conley said. “And Riley is explosive. She hits the ball harder than anyone I’ve seen.”

With a healthy starting lineup, the Falcons (7-6) are back on track.

“We know when we’re at full strength, we can compete with anyone,” Conley said.

Fenwick will host Sycamore on Saturday.

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