Westview volleyball is looking to continue their run of success this fall

Last year, the Westview High School volleyball team shocked the world.

A year removed from a fifth-place finish at state, the best in school history, the 2023 Wildcats were rebuilding after losing significant contributors from that historical 2022 team. But after a third place Metro League finish, a first-round playoff win over David Douglas and a stunning second-round win over Sheldon, Westview was in the state quarterfinals and in the process of doing what even their coach, Janelle Bryant, didn’t see coming.

“Yes, they have surprised me,” Bryant said following their win over Sheldon. “I knew we were going to be tough, and I knew I was going to have some young talent, but this team continues to exceed my expectations.”

Now, two years removed from fifth place and a year since again making the state tournament, Bryant said the program is operating on a higher level and its expectations reflect such.

“We’ve done that two years in a row and we talked about that at the end of last season, that we’ll be back,” the coach said. “This is now our goal. We’re a top-eight team and we want to be playing in the state tournament.”

That goal certainly won’t come easy, however, for this year’s Wildcats will be without first team all-league hitter/blocker Thanvi Chilukuri; first team all-league all-around player Taylor Guerra; and second team all-league all-around player Courtney Bozzone due to graduation.

But returning are a handful of talented and decorated players, including but not limited to third team all-league libero/defensive specialist Mady Lebeck; first team all-league middle blocker Ashlyn Pedersen; and third team all-league middle blocker Steel Sinai. Couple them with a slew of returning young but experienced players, and you’ve got a recipe for another run to state.

“We had three freshmen last year that started, and they’ve all gotten better over the summer,” Bryant said. “Now, having them all back as sophomores, along with some key seniors, I’m excited.”

Of those returning upperclassmen, Bryant mentioned Sinai and Olie Madsen, the latter of which missed the bulk of last season due to injury. The two will make up a formidable middle which should be one of the team’s strengths.

The coach also expects her group to be strong offensively. But without all-league setter, Guerra, she knows the weeks prior to the start of the season will be key to building the cohesiveness that only comes with time on the court.

“Getting the team in sync is a thing every year,” the coach said. “You need your hitters connecting with your setters and that only happens over time.”

If that sounds obvious, it should. Bryant is big on fundamentals and said success often hinges on doing the little things well.

“You’ve got to be able to pass the ball, and that’s something we really, really focus on,” Bryant said. “You’ve got to win the serve and serve-receive battle, your team has to be sound defensively, and you’ve got to be disciplined. It sounds simple, but it’s always going to result in success.”

Success in the Metro League doesn’t come easy, for three of the league’s seven schools made it to the round of eight at state last season, and Jesuit has won three of the last five state championships and placed second in the other two. Bryant knows that all too well, but also knows her team has and continues to work to close the gap with the champion Crusaders, and is no longer scared of the challenge they present.

“I would say that three or four years ago our girls were always scared to play Jesuit, but I think the culture has kind of shifted,” Bryant said. “Now our mindset is we’re excited to play Jesuit and not scared to play them. We want to battle them and beat them.

“I have a lot of respect for their program and I tell the girls, it’s a privilege to play one of the best teams in the state, and it’s an opportunity to do something amazing.”

So, with that mindset, coupled with their success of the past two years, where does that leave the Westview volleyball program? Wanting more.

“We want to contend for a league title,” Bryant said. “I think we have the talent, I think we have the personnel, and you’ve just got to put all those pieces together.”

Westview opens their season against Grant at 6 p.m. on Sept. 3, at Grant High School.