IAC VOLLEYBALL: CANDOR LOOKS TO WIN BACK IAC TITLE, MAKE ANOTHER DEEP PLAYOFF RUN (2024-08-31)

By TIM TAYLOR
Tioga County Sports Report
CANDOR — The Candor girls volleyball team has a couple of items on its to-do list which should carry a lot of weight this season.

One is winning the IAC Small School championship and the other is making a run at a state title.

The Coyotes went undefeated in the division during the 2023 regular season before dropping a five-set thriller to Spencer-Van Etten in the championship match.

“They played great in that IAC final,, kudos to them,” coach Pam Quinlan said. “Certainly, that's one of the things that we would like to see if we can get back there and maybe change the outcome there, and I think” certainly, making a deep run into the postseason.

Candor would regroup from the S-VE loss to make a return to the Class D state semifinals, only to drop a five-set heartbreaker to eventual champion Chautauqua Lake after winning the first two sets.

“We haven't really talked about it yet during preseason, but I'm sure for those that were there last year, that certainly is in the back of their mind and I would think as we get closer to that time, that would be some of the conversation we would have,” Quinlan said. “I think it's a little early right now to really kind of think about that and go back there right now. I think they've had a good off-season to work on some things and to come in with a very positive attitude, so we'll move on with that and then probably talk a little bit about that as we get closer to it.

“Just focusing on every game as it comes and learning from every game that we play and finding out what our strengths are and what our weaknesses are, and trying to improve on them. We have some tournaments that we get a chance to play a lot and play some different teams in, and that's always a good thing just to see some different teams that maybe we don't play during the season. And maybe somebody's got a big outside hitter, big middle blocker, a great libero, and you're trying to figure out how you can work around those kind of people.”

The Coyotes have solid numbers once again, 14 on varsity and 11 on JV.

Two of Candor’s three all-state selections are back to include senior setter Phoebe Swartz and junior outside hitter Nicola Soper, both first team picks. The other, third-team right side Grace Handy, has graduated.

Lucy Ray also graduated, as did Rosie Heard and Beylah Parillo, two of the team’s defensive players, but a couple IAC second-team all-stars also return.

Most of the players worked to improve during the off-season.

“We run our own club here at Candor,” Quinlan said of Lady Blue, “so a number of girls have been in the gym. A number of players are returning on both teams (JV and varsity) that either played for us or played for another club in the off-season. We do an open gym one or two nights a week depending on gym availability, and availability of players and coaches.

The varsity squad also competes in a summer league in Big Flats.

Preseason practices have focused on a variety of aspects of the sport.

Serve receive will be key for Quinlan’s group.

“I think, with bringing back some experienced players setting, hitting, we want to make sure that we can get the ball in system and be able to use those strengths,” she said. “A lot of serving right now, because that's just such an integral part of the game, and defense, being able to keep the other team from scoring points.”

Candor does have experience on its side, which will help the team mesh with the younger players.

“I think it's pretty well evened out,” Quinlan said. “We certainly have, by virtue of being older, they’ve played a little bit longer, but like I said, a lot of these kids have played travel ball up through the ranks from maybe fifth or sixth grade and. I think their experience in terms of being on the court is pretty even.”

The Coyotes finished the season with a 16-3 record, the other loss coming against IAC Large School champion Trumansburg.

Candor opens the season Tuesday at Groton.

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PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR.

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