There’s no doubt about it: Last season was one for the history books for Open Door volleyball.
The Patriots won 20 matches and reached their first district final. Although they came up short in that Division IV district final to Ashtabula St. John in four sets, all that defeat did was recharge this group to make another run in 2023.
With the district tournament taking place in late October, regional and onward take place in November. After being so close to a district title, November is all Open Door can think about right now.
“It was a sad game for us last year, and the girls are really focused to play in November,” Open Door coach Veronica Victor said. “All we have to say is November and everybody knows to focus.”
Playing mostly a D-IV schedule, the Patriots picked up some big wins over larger schools around the area. They started off the season with a sweep over Lorain, and also defeated Clearview and Keystone in the regular season. The nonconference slate helped prepare them for the league, in which the Patriots went undefeated.
The program has confidence right now for good reason from the recent success, and Open Door has high-caliber players back to try and bang down that regional door. The team had four girls with over 100 kills last year, and all four return.
The headliner is senior Bianca Yakobchuk, who averaged 4.2 kills per set and accounted for nearly 40% of the team’s kills overall. There was a strong balance behind her with incoming seniors Rachel Faber and Grace Giesbrecht. Junior Brooklyn Stafford-Crandall will also make an impact at the net.
“It’s very exciting. Every game I get goosebumps,” Yakobchuk said. “I’m just happy to be back with my volleyball family. Volleyball is my passion, and I’m just happy to be back in my element.”
While Open Door brings back a lot of hitters, some newcomers will have to make up for the departures. Setter Gina Lawver averaged 9.2 assists per set, and Sophia Unterbrink led the team in digs. Yakobchuk is in line to have another big year, but she is all about her teammates getting the same credit. The Patriots’ culture is all about the team, which is crucial in this sport.
“One thing that we talk about is Bianca can’t have all of those kills if we don’t have a setter, unless we have passers, unless we have defense,” Victor said. “Although her name goes on the plaque, the awards that we talk about that the girls get is truly a team effort.”
With that being said, Victor feels good about the young players that are stepping in. Four freshmen are on this year’s team, including a younger Giesbrecht and Stafford-Crandall. Sophomore Ellie Pruitt will also be one to watch trying to fill the setter spot.
There might be some growing pains early trying to figure everything out, but the Patriots’ strong hitters will be there.
“We bring back those hitters, but the biggest thing for us is that we have a young setter,” Victor said. “Although they do now each other, we’re still working on clicking with that chemistry. It’s very exciting, but we still have bumps and bruises to work through. We plan to do that.”
If bumps and bruises are what it takes to win a district title, Open Door is all for it. History couldn’t have been made without the hard work over the years, and this time is no different. The Patriots reached new heights, and they’re gunning for more.
“I want to play in November and make it farther than we did last year,” Yakobchuk said.
