LADY EAGLE SPIKERS BEGIN ANEW WITH COACH BINA
By Staff
CANTON – Changes continue among the Canton/Galva athletic programs as the volleyball team has made a change in leadership with Summer Bina being named the new head coach of the program for 2024.
With the Lady Eagles finishing 14-21 in 2023 and not having a winning season in over a decade, the change was made, and coach Summer Bina will now look to turn the program around with the help of her assistants Rylee Plummer and Ryland Hawkinson.
“The coaches and I are excited to get to know the girls on the team,” noted Bina. “We just want to see what they are capable of in 2024.”
Among the first duties at hand will be to find replacements for starters Adi Alcala and Hailey Barton, both of whom have transferred out of the district with Alcala taking her talents to Inman and Barton up the road to Centre/Lost Springs.
Returning starter, Trinity Espinoza, is where the rebuild will begin. Espinoza, a 5’6” junior outside hitter, earned honorable mention All-Wheat State League and has been named as a player to watch by the KSHSAA (Kansas State High School Athletic Association) after recording 159 kills and 190 digs in 2023.
Another Lady Eagle being counted on for team leadership will be senior middle blocker Raegan Hawkinson. At 5’7”, Hawkinson will contribute both leadership and length in her play as she plugs up the net on defense after racking up 248 digs and 192 kills last season after transferring in from Elyria Christian.
A third returning starter is middle hitter Jordy Elliot, a 5’7” junior. Elliot will look to add to the stat sheet in 2024.
“One of our strengths is we will have three returning starters as well as a pair of strong girls that consistently came off the bench for the varsity in 2023,” added coach Bina. “All of this will help us not having to totally rebuild, even after transferring out a couple of starters.”
Aaliyah Skipworth is one newcomer that the coaches have pointed out as one to watch this fall due to her high potential of overall talent.
As coach Bina explained when finishing her reflections on the upcoming 2024 season, “Among the three starters we have a pair of great leaders who have already shown ways and readiness to guide the girls toward a successful season. Our one big weakness will be having to have so many of the girls learn and play new positions this upcoming season, meaning they will have to really learn fast and focus on what they are supposed to be doing.”
The Lady Eagle spikers will serve their season opener for 2024 on the road at Centre on Tuesday, September 3. The remainder of the schedule is as follows:
Tuesday, September 10 – at Elyria Christian
Saturday, September 14 – at Goessel Invitational
Tuesday, September 17 – at Wakefield
Thursday, September 19 – at Burrton
Tuesday, September 24 – at Elyria Christian
Saturday, September 28 – at Herington Invitational
Tuesday, October 1 – host a quad
Saturday, October 5 – host Invitational
Tuesday, October 8 – at Herington
Saturday, October 12 – host Wheat State League Tournament
Saturday, October 19 – at Class 1A Sub-State, round 1
Saturday, October 26 – at Class 1A Sub-State, round 2
Saturday, November 2 – at Class 1A State Tournament in Dodge City
(The Staff covering McPherson County Activities can be reached by email at macks.people.places@gmail.com)
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