The562’s coverage of Lakewood Athletics is sponsored by J.P. Crawford, Class of 2013.
Lakewood is back for another year under coach Adam Wadley, and the Lancers are hoping to improve on a fourth-place finish in the Moore League. Wadley’s squad has a good mix of returners and underclassmen who will push for playing time.
“We’re somewhat inexperienced as we only have a couple of girls returning from last year’s squad in their natural positions, but the potential of this team is very exciting,” said Wadley.
Freshmen outside Trinity Tagaloasa and setter Mia Mapu are very good and could be immediate contributors. The security blanket for Wadley is libero Alizae Leilua moving back into her natural position.
“It’s great for us to have that senior presence on the backline and that second coach on the court,” said Wadley.
Some of the other major contributors for the Lancers will be junior outside Jenna Smith, junior oppo Layla Bailey-Zavala, and senior Joleen Ong.
Leilua is excited about the season and loves the talent around her.
“Our team is looking very strong, we have so much talent and skill,” she said. “We just have to work together–we’ll have our ups and downs but we can’t let that affect us.”
Leilua also complimented the job that Wadley has done taking over for his father, Lancers AD Mike Wadley, who won the school’s only team state title in 2007 as part of a legendary run with the Lakewood volleyball program.
“(Adam) gives us his 100%, we can always go to him about everything, and he shows up for us every day,” said Leilua.
Wadley said a big focus this year has been stepping up the nonleague schedule to prepare his team for the rigors of facing Moore League foes. The Lancers rebounded from a fourth-place finish in league last year to make a deep playoff run, and are hoping to do the same this year.
“We’re hoping a tough nonleague and tournament schedule will help us prepare for a tough league and get us ready for another long playoff run,” he said. “We might have to be patient–growth will come. We might have to take it on the chin early to get us ready for September and October. Our focus is having that contagious Lakewood work ethic and defense that’s been our staple the last two decades.”
