Waynedale Volleyball Rebuilds Into Contender Under Veteran Coach
Guided by seniors and seasoned coach John Finn, the Golden Bears regained district dominance while standout Callie Wolfe joined the exclusive 1,000-kill, 1,000-dig club.
Team Revival
A season ago, Waynedale’s volleyball program faced challenges, finishing 13-11 overall and 6-8 in the Wayne County Athletic League. When the team began searching for new leadership, they found a renowned figure in John Finn, formerly with Central Christian and Triway.
Finn’s Coaching Philosophy
“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.”
Senior Leadership and Results
Finn, supported by key seniors Kimmy Swartzentruber, Jorjia Persinger, Kylie Geiser, and Callie Wolfe, helped the Golden Bears bounce back in style. They closed the season at 17-9 overall and 8-6 in the WCAL.
Title Run and Team Spirit
After an early exit the previous year, Waynedale stormed back to win its fourth district title and made a fourth regional appearance before falling to Dalton 20-25, 25-16, 25-15, 25-21 in October.
“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.”
Author’s Summary
Under John Finn’s steady leadership, Waynedale volleyball transformed from a rebuilding program into a district champion powered by teamwork and senior determination.