Waynedale Volleyball Rebuilds Under Veteran Coach
Led by senior players and legendary coach John Finn, the Waynedale Golden Bears returned to district prominence and celebrated Callie Wolfe joining the elite 1,000-kill, 1,000-dig club.
Last year, the volleyball program faced challenges, finishing with a 13-11 overall record and 6-8 in the Wayne County Athletic League (WCAL). Searching for leadership, Waynedale hired John Finn, a respected coach with a history at Central Christian and Triway, to guide the team.
“I didn’t know what I was coming into, but I did know that there was a lot of talent here,” Finn said. “So I just did what I always do, team first and lift up the individual. It’s person first and player second, and that’s the way I approached it.”
With a strong senior group including Kimmy Swartzentruber, Jorjia Persinger, Kylie Geiser, and Callie Wolfe, the team made a remarkable comeback. They ended the season 17-9 overall and 8-6 in the WCAL.
After an early playoff exit the previous year, they reclaimed their fourth district championship and advanced to the regional tournament before losing to Dalton in four sets on October 25-16, 25-15, 25-21.
“It’s a group of young ladies who understood and embraced the importance of being a team and the unselfish play that it takes to be that team,” Finn said, “even when it may go against what they want as individuals.”
Season Highlights
- Senior leadership played a crucial role in the turnaround.
- Callie Wolfe reached the prestigious 1,000-kill, 1,000-dig milestone.
- Golden Bears secured their fourth district title.
- Advanced to the regional tournament for the fourth time.
Author’s summary: Under John Finn’s experienced coaching and strong senior leadership, Waynedale’s volleyball team rebounded to win the district title and reach the regional tournament, marking a significant program turnaround.