Family Ties: Versatility and team bonding are key factors for the volleyball team.

 When coach Lynn Hartings speaks about the family ties within the Worthington Christian girls’ volleyball team, she is not talking about blood relationships. She is speaking about an attitude she wants to see permeate through the Warriors.

“We want to live by a theme this year: FAMILY – Forget About Me, I Love You,” Hartings said. “This year, we want to play for an audience of One and love each player on the team and the court.”

In Hartings’ first season as the volleyball coach, Worthington Christian finished 6-18 overall and 4-10 in the Central Buckey League. The Warriors lost to fourth-seeded Johnstown 25-15, 25-13, 25-10 in the first round of the Division III Central District tournament.

However, Hartings believes one of her team’s strengths this year will be the number of returning players she has back this season.

The Warriors return senior Grace Hartings, a second-team all-CBL selection as a middle blocker, and junior Ava Holbrook, an honorable mention at setter.

“We had some tough losses and battled through several injuries to our key starters last season,” Coach Hartings said. “I was proud of the versatility and flexibility of our athletes who had to play positions they were not used to.

“Ava was our only setter last year. She played a crucial role as one of our captains and leaders on the team. I’m excited to see her leadership taken to the next level this year. Grace is one of our seniors and will remain a big middle blocker and hitter for us.”

Coach Hartings said junior Daisy Zartman has put in “the work in the off-season, and her versatility as a setter, a front row hitter, and blocker will be a key for us.”

Also expected to play key roles this season are junior right-side hitter Eisley Holt, junior libero Emma Steel, who led the team in digs last season, and sophomore outside hitter/defensive specialist Anika Van Arendonk.

“Our goals for this season are to compete in every Central Buckeye League game and continue to push each other to improve daily,” Coach Hartings said. “We want to glorify God once we step on the court for any practice or game.

“The key to reaching our goals is to push each other into giving our maximum potential both on and off the court. We must focus on creating a FAMILY atmosphere and playing for Him. We are excited to get this season started.”