Lady Rebels Ready to Spike Competition in Comeback Season

When the Howell volleyball team walked off the court for the last time last year there was a definite sense of disappointment in the 3-16 record they had accumulated. 

Now, a year later with a new coach and a full roster, the expectation is to have a much better year. Coach Anna Marie Popowski said that while it is her first year leading the Lady Rebels, having coached all of them as an assistant throughout their career with the team, she is comfortable with the girls.

That level of comfort should go a long way in helping them jump into the season without any hesitation. "We had a rough season last year," she said. But with so many players back for another year, the coach said they look ready to go. "They've been playing together all summer, and they're working hard," she said. 

One big change the team is making this year is how they will set up on the court. After struggling with their passes last year, Popowski has decided to add a second setter to their rotations. Knowing that change alone will not be enough for the turnaround, the rookie coach said teamwork can at least help in the process.

If they can work together and make their sets to their big hitters, Popowski said the three wins can be a distant memory. "I think our passes were a little bad, and we kind of fell apart," she said of last season. "We split a lot of games. We didn't have teams blowing us out of the water by any means. I think this year it's going to be a little bit of and attitude adjustment and more of a 'we really want to win and we want to show these teams that we're just as good as they are.' "

The coach also knows that with a total of six seniors, this is also a pivotal year for the girls if they want to end their Lady Rebel careers on a good note. They include Kathryn Causey, Samantha Kennelly, Jenna Mercadante, Karla Mertens, Samantha Payne and newcomer Lauren Saal. They will be joined by junior Melany DaSilva, who has a chance to learn from the seniors before being a leader of the team next year.

Kennelly and Mertens figure to be the keys of the offense at outside and middle hitter respectively, and Popowski said their success at the nets will help determine the wins of the Lady Rebels. "We're looking this year to make more passes to different positions and not just the outside hitter all the time," she said. "We have a returning setter which is going to be helpful because they're really the one that kind of carries the team."

Looking to make the most of her last year with the team and turn that into a successful college career, Kennelly said she believes the changes made will be enough to turn around the team's fortunes. "We found a lineup that we think will work and we've just been working really hard," she said. 

Mertens said last year was a good learning experience for the Lady Rebels and now they have to take those lessons and act on them. "After four years we've bee playing we should be able to work together and start winning some games," she said. 

Like many members of the Class of 2012, Mertens said she intends to make the most of the time she has left in high school. "I'm scared," she said with a laugh. "A lot of people say that they don't like school but I love it. Even though I don't like the work I like being with the team and hanging out with them and having them as my friends."

Even in an established conference like the Shore Conference, volleyball is still a newcomer to the athletics scene. Because of that Popowski said from year to year anyone can be among the best. When they took on the traditionally strong Indians from Toms River South, Popowski said they split the match giving them confidence for the future.

The regular season starts tomorrow when the girls welcome their in-district rivals from Colts Neck at 3:45 p.m. in the gym.