Norwalk looks to contend with mix of old and new

NORWALK — The struggle was real. But three seniors on the Norwalk volleyball team were instrumental to get the program through to the other side. In 2020, Norwalk was just 4-18 overall and 3-9 in the SBC Lake Division. When Lucy Schlotterer, Mac Wineman and Sammi Chappell entered high school in 2021, things got better. But still, Norwalk was just 9-15 overall (3-9 Lake). It took a slight step back when that group was sophomores at 7-16 (4-8). Last season, however, order was restored for a program that had long been a consistent winner in both the Northern Ohio League and SBC Lake. Norwalk finished 19-7 overall and 8-2 in the Lake in 2023. That gave the program its 22nd league title and a 13th district championship. Now, Schlotterer returns as the reigning SBC Lake Player of the Year after finishing with 407 kills, 100 points (40 aces), and 204 digs. Wineman, who has 1,035 career digs, finished with 418 last season as a libero and defensive specialist. She was a 96-percent server with 120 points and 15 aces from the service line. Both players were also first team SBC Lake and District 6 in Division II, with Schlotterer earning All-Ohio honorable mention honors. Chappell had 58 kills in 67 sets played in 2023. "They went through the struggle to come out on the other side," Kipp said of her three seniors. "They stuck it out, and they still have a chance to leave a greater legacy behind. It's exciting to think about what these girls can accomplish if they continue to focus on the right things." The eighth-year head coach said the team has spent time reading Tyson Gentry's book, released last year, titled "The Winning Mentality for Student-Athletes: strategies for mMental toughness in competition and life. Gentry, a Perkins graduate, was paralyzed during a spring practice playing for Ohio State in April 2006. "We're through chapter six, and we are getting more and more continued participation," Kipp said. "We came up with our community standards and what we want to be accountable to. "Watching the participation of the older girls who have been through the rough stuff — the culture and legacy they are leaving behind is one that hopefully will carry through." Kipp said Norwalk will be in a position to have depth across the lineup. "It's not going to be just one kid every night, it's going to be multiple kids," she said. Along with Chappell bouncing right side and out, junior Sydney Moehlman will play the same role, while sophomore Bella Hernandez is back in the middle. She is joined there by freshman Ainslee King. Another freshman, Maddie Gamble, is also going to see floor time as a hitter. Sophomore Emily Tyler has shifted to setter, while Mac Wineman's younger sister, sophomore Sawyer, is again back as a defensive specialist. Junior defensive specialist Reagan Mooney will serve at times for Norwalk, while junior Autumn Cross (setter/DS) and sophomore Emmie Leber (opposite/middle) round out the varsity roster. Norwalk is still working through the loss of sophomore middle hitter Emma Gebhardt. As a freshman in 2023, she was All-SBC Lake second team. At the end of June, she suffered a serious knee injury and will miss the entire season and beyond. "Emma going down was a hard one," Kipp said. "We took a step back and knew we'd be in a tough spot. These younger kids have worked hard. It's not the same without Emma on the floor. "She's fiery and likes to get after it, and she is doing her job right now as a supportive teammate on the bench. Hopefully she'll get through therapy OK and in late spring and early summer, we'll see her get back on the floor." Kipp is assisted by Rachel Schlotterer, Becky Wineman, Erin Finley and Kelsey Liles. Along with its league schedule, Norwalk faces Edison (Aug. 20) and Huron (Aug. 22) this week. It also hosts its annual Norwalk Invitational on Aug. 31, then travels to Shelby to take on the Whippets and Lexington in a rematch of last year's district title match win. Norwalk also visits Ashland (Oct. 5) and hosts Vermilion (Oct. 12). "When the girls are loose and have fun, that's when you'll see them at their best," Kipp said. "We're still young with court experience. Emily didn't set last year, she was a hitter and is now running a 5-1 as a sophomore. "We have two freshmen on the floor with her, and you always wonder how that will play out each match. So a big thing for us is just getting that court time experience as we go."