High school volleyball: Nico Anzevino, Haiden Morrison ready to be leaders for Buckeye

MEDINA — Nico Anzevino and Haiden Morrison have been valuable contributors throughout their careers with the Buckeye volleyball team. This season, however, things are different as the Bucks are "their" team as seniors. Setter Anzevino and libero Morrison set the tone Friday in powering new-look Buckeye to a pair of victories at the Medina County Preview, beating Medina 21-16 and Medina Christian 21-13. "I'm not going to lie, there will be pressure on us leading such an inexperienced team, but we can help the young girls get through it," said Anzevino, who served as a defensive specialist in her first three seasons. "Haiden and I have both been there in the same situation. We understand the stress and the nerves that go with being a freshman on varsity." Morrison was the heir apparent to school record-setting libero Bella Anzevino as a ninth-grader before taking over the role as a sophomore. Not only were she and Nico Anzevino thrown into the fire three years ago, they have remained positive throughout while going through a pair of coaching changes. Longtime assistant Erica Repas is now in charge and relying heavily on their leadership. "I'm really excited about this season because we have a couple of really good girls coming up," Morrison said. "We can handle the responsibility because we know what to say and what to do when things don't go your way." The Bucks will rely on pair of freshmen — outside hitter Erin Salazar and middle hitter Blakely Herman — for much of their offense. Senior middle hitter Abi Kirlough also is key and delivered the set-winning kills against the Bees and Knights. All three hit effectively with Anzevino running the show, a lineup shift that became necessary over the summer when junior setter Aurora Allen underwent foot surgery. She played her new position so well, Repas is keeping her there this fall with Allen. "I love setting," a smiling Anzevino said. "It's so much fun. I'm extremely confident about my ability." Buckeye and defending Suburban League American Conference champion Highland shared top honors at the six-team event hosted by the Bees. The Hornets won the marquee matchup over Brunswick 21-19 before beating Medina 21-9. Senior outside hitter Lily Vojtko had four kills against the Blue Devils and senior middle hitter Kamryn Heldreth added three. Rookie setters Payton Hrics and Emma Tramonte each dished out six assists. "Everyone is growing together and it's been really good so far," Vojtko said. "We have two new setters and a relatively inexperienced team, but I have high expectations." Libero Carley Niese is Highland's third returning starter, each of whom were outstanding in the team's run to the 2024 regional semifinals in Division III. Fellow seniors Ava Andrews, Alyssa Koehler and Abby Capper also logged critical big-match experience last fall. "All the seniors we have are good and the two-a-days we ran in the preseason helped us grow together with the freshmen and sophomores a lot," Heldreth said. The Blue Devils opened with a 21-17 victory over Cloverleaf, but the bigger story from their two contests was the work of senior setter Emerson Sheets and sophomore outside hitters Addison Compton and Kacie Belz. Despite breaking her right ankle during club volleyball season, Sheets put on a clinic of back-sets and no-look feeds that drew actual oohs and aahs from the crowd. The two-year veteran's improvement was remarkable. "I did a lot of specific training in the offseason before I broke my ankle in the middle of club because it's important to me," Sheets said. "Other teams are thinking Brunswick isn't going to be very good because we lost so many girls to graduation, but we plan on showing them what's up." Sophomore outside hitter Marlo Downing fired four kills and freshman middle hitter Kenna Kohl had three for the Colts against Brunswick. Downing appears ready to take the next step after being one of the better ninth-graders in the Metro Athletic Conference. Senior setter Madi Young and senior libero Evie Barth are known quantities who ensure that Cloverleaf will get the ball where it needs to go in the front row. "Madi is amazing and she delivers the ball where we need it, and Evie is always digging things up," Downing said. "I feel like all of us have grown since last year and are ready for big things." Cloverleaf knocked off Medina Christian 21-8 despite a breakout night by libero Cora Wolny, one of five seniors who restarted the Knights' program three years ago. Contact Brian Dulik at sports@medina-gazette.com. Follow @BrianDulik on X.