2022 volleyball preview: Solon Spartans excited to get the 'Mikayla Long era' underway

Editor's note: This is part of the Press-Citizen's team-by-team high school volleyball preview coverage. Coming tomorrow: Iowa City High.

For a volleyball team like Solon, going from the heights to struggling to reach a .500 record has been a frustrating, humbling experience.

After last season, the team decided it was time for a change, which included appointing a new coach and welcoming a significantly younger lineup.

While having so many new faces has seemed to recharge the team's returning players, before their on-court performances can improve, they first have to develop better team chemistry, something that players admit had been lacking in recent years.

"We have to put a lot of effort into improving our communication," junior Brynn Deike said. "Over the past few years, we have lacked team bonding. So we have to be better about spending time together outside of practice and better getting to know each other. That will really help us a lot this season."

Looking back at the 2021 volleyball season

Last season was one that the proud Spartans would like to forget.

They ended the year with a 17-23 record, losing all four of their matches against fellow WaMac-East opponents. They managed to notch a win in tournament play before losing to Central DeWitt in the Class 4A-Region 8 semifinals.

While the young team lost only three seniors — Camryn Keith, Maddie Manifold and Alexa Hupfeld — the Spartans would also have to overcome the loss of second-year head coach Jeff Walker.

New additions to the Solon Spartans team

The Spartans did not have to look far to find Walker's replacement, as they decided to promote assistant coach and Solon alumnus Mikayla Long.

Long was a student at Solon between 2012-2016 and was a part of the 2014 state championship volleyball team.

Now with the chance to guide her former squad, Long said she hopes to positively impact the team's atmosphere.

"The biggest thing that I want to do this season is change the culture," Long said. "I want the girls to love the sport and to become passionate about it again. With that comes the motivation to push forward and play better."

One of the new players who will be getting her first taste of action under Long will be freshman Kennedy Whitford, who has a legitimate shot to start on varsity this season.

Described by her teammates as a leader despite her young age, Whitford said she believes that leadership is an important trait for everyone to have.

"We should be setting an example to help push each other," Whitford said.

Potential wild cards

Because of the youth on the roster, a number of underclassmen will find themselves part of the starting lineup.

A couple of those players are sophomores Aly Stahle and Grace Erwin.

Stahle, a participant on Solon's state-caliber girls' track and field team, saw limited action as a freshman, but is primed to see an increase in reps.

Erwin suffered a shoulder injury that kept her out of action for the bulk of the 2021 season.

Now healthy, she is excited to contribute to the team's success in the coming year.

"I am a lot less nervous this year than I was last year," Erwin said. "We all know how each other plays, so that has helped us to learn how to trust each other a lot."

Key matchup this season

Solon opens its season in a quad match, facing Clear Creek Amana, Center Point-Urbana and, most importantly, their rivals, Mount Vernon.

Last season, the Mustangs swept the Spartans during their Sept. 7 match, a loss that still resonates with Solon.

Looking forward to facing them again, Delaney Bombei said it is always a good day when the Spartans come out on top.

"I am excited that our first game is against Mount Vernon," Bombei said. "Our school always wants to win our games against them. It brings us a sense of pride."

Reasons for optimism

Rome was not built in a day and neither will the Solon Spartans volleyball team be. However, if there is any coach that could bring the team back to prominence, it might be Long.

Her emphasis on establishing a culture instead of hoping to obtain overnight success has provided the young team with a fresh perspective and increased confidence that had been lost in recent years.

"She brings a whole different coaching dynamic," Deike said. "We learned a lot from Jeff, but Mikayla has put so much effort into this program. I feel like she wants us to succeed as much as we want to succeed. That is a great feeling."

While her impact may not be felt quite this season, these young Spartans figure to be a force to be reckoned with for years to come.

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Solon volleyball seeks culture change under new coach Mikayla Long