Youthful Commodores continuing to mature

By JEREMY SELLEW
jsellew@yourmvi.com

For the first time in 11 seasons, the Frazier volleyball team failed to win a section championship last season.
Commodores head coach Mandy Hartman admits her team probably isn’t the favorite to win the section again with another relatively young squad, but she really likes the direction her team is heading.
The Commodores went 8-4 in Section 3-2A last season and knocked off No. 4-seed Deer Lakes in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs before falling to Section 3 champion Waynesburg Central in the quarterfinals.
“I’m really excited for what this team is bringing this season,” Hartman said. “We’ve done a lot of work this summer and so far, it’s been a fun camp. I really like what I’ve been seeing.”
Leading the way for the Commodores will be junior all-state performer Jensyn Hartman. She led the way when it comes to getting points for the offense from her outside-hitter position last season.
“Jensyn’s played a lot of volleyball and she’s really learning the game more and more,” Hartman said of her daughter. “She’s been training hard, working on her arm speed and power and is really getting good height.
“She had a tremendous year last year and I think it was a little bit of a surprise. I don’t think she expected success to come as easy as it did. We’re going to be counting on that again.”
One thing fellow Class 2A squads will notice on the floor for Frazier will be their size.
“We do have good size. I’m loving it so far,” Hartman said. “The girls at the net are going to be critical for our success this season. So far, I really think they’re doing a good job.”
Seniors Eliza Newcomer, Abby Scott and junior Braylin Salisbury will handle the middle hitter position.
“Last year, Eliza was an athlete on the court – a basketball player playing volleyball. This year, she’s a volleyball player,” Hartman said. “It’s great to see where she’s at. She understands the game now.”
Salisbury, the daughter of former Frazier standout quarterback Chad Salisbury, has her father’s athleticism, height and even his red hair.
“It looks like she grew about 2 1/2 inches over the summer. She played a lot in the offseason and she’s going to fill such an important role for us,” Mandy Hartman said.
The role is that of a consistent middle hitter. It’s a role that the team was missing last season after Sierra Twigg graduated two years ago.
“It was big hole for us last season. This season, the girls are much more confident and look like they’re going to make that spot a lot less worrysome,” the longtime coach said.
Junior Maddie Stefancik returns and will be back at right-side hitter with another year of experience.
One hole the Commodores will have to fill this season is at libero. Jordin Brundege filled the role last season, slotting in nicely after Kat Barch’s graduation.
“We may run without one for a while,” Hartman said. “There’s still a couple of girls we’re looking at for that position and it’s still up for grabs.”

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