DELAWARE – Coming off a year of unprecedented success, Taylor Harning knew things would be a little different for the Buckeye Valley girls volleyball team.
Moving to outside hitter from the opposite side to replace the Barons’ top point scorer last year, Harning didn’t feel like she needed to adjust too much. After all, she played the position during the club season at Elite Volleyball Training Center.
“I wouldn’t say it’s an adjustment physically as much as it is leadership-wise,” the senior said. “It’s been a fun challenge to bring everybody together and get everybody on the same page.”
Harning is the top returning leader in kills (202), aces (69) and blocks (43) from last year’s team, which reached the state final in its first-ever trip to the state tournament. As a six-rotation player, she also had 152 digs last season.
The Barons graduated four players, including Alia Schoonover, the team’s leader in kills (447), aces (98) and digs (279) who is now playing at Ohio State.
Still, Buckeye Valley returns a core group of players that contributed last season as well as some new faces that are already making an impact. The Barons are 11-3 overall and 7-1 in the Central Buckeye League, second behind Ready, which won a 25-21, 25-22, 22-25, 25-19 decision at Buckeye Valley on Sept. 10.
Buckeye Valley won league matches at Franklin Heights 25-9, 25-14, 25-17 on Sept. 15 and at home against Whitehall 25-12, 25-5, 25-10 on Sept. 17 the following week.
Photos by Brittany Schock. Story continues below.
The Barons continue league play at home against Columbus School for Girls on Sept. 22.
Junior libero Delaney Lozier has 89 digs to lead the team through the first 12 matches and senior setters Tegan McMillan and Payton Loedding are also back, leading with 110 assists and 102, respectively.
“Falling short of the state title has made us all hungry,” said Harning, who has 78 kills and 84 digs in 12 matches. “We want to do everything in our power to go back. But we also realize that we’re a completely different team.
“So, it’s the same motivation as last year but with a different execution. It’s been a struggle but also a fun challenge for us.”
Perhaps there’s no better example of adjusting to differences than freshman Arya Harning, Taylor’s younger sister.
“It’s fun to watch those two together the way they interact on the court,” sixth-year coach Randy Haas said. “Taylor is basically our team leader. She’s very good at vocalizing with (her teammates) about the stuff they need to do. I would say she is a very strong anchor for our team overall.
“I knew (Arya) had skills when she walked into the gym with her height and her ability. She’s really, really good at learning what to do and when … she’s very coachable.”
Arya is not only adjusting to playing a major role on a state-caliber varsity team in her first year, but also had to do it while playing out of position.
The younger Harning is normally an outside hitter. This year, she’s playing as a middle hitter — and adjusting quite nicely.
“In middle school – my first year in club – I started as a middle,” said Arya, who leads the Barons with 16 blocks and 31 kills in 12 matches. “I feel like it’s just been muscle memory at this point. Whatever I need to do for my team, I’ll do.”
Junior outside hitter Maya Suchland (67 kills, 39 digs, 12 matches) and junior middle blocker Mya Schoonover (46 kills, 22 aces, 11 blocks, 12 matches) are also playing full-time for the first time.
The Harnings have come full-circle. Taylor started playing volleyball because of her mother, Kristin. Arya always looked up to her older sister and fell in love with the sport through her.
“My mom and my sister always peppered in the backyard and I wanted to be like Taylor,” Arya said. “She’s definitely my biggest supporter. It’s crazy that we only get one season together but I’m really excited.”
Playing with Arya checks off a bucket list item for Taylor.
“She’s my best friend and I’m so glad she’s on the team,” said Taylor, who is committed to Hillsdale College. “She deserves it so much.
“I’ve already accomplished the one thing I wanted to accomplish, which was play with my sister,” she said. “Going to state was an experience that I’ll never forget, and I would love to recreate those memories with my sister.”
