Quakertown head girls volleyball coach Andy Snyder knows it will take some time.
Snyder is in charge of the girls program this fall, and he will serve as a dual coach, also guiding the boys team. So, he does have the pulse of the overall program.
The girls began this week with a 1-2 mark, and Snyder sees their trek as a slow, steady climb. Quakertown finished with an overall 3-17 mark last season.
“We’re about where I expected us to be,” offered Snyder. “You can see their confidence and trust in each other improving.
“They are starting to put it all together.”
They recently posted their lone win against Central Bucks South, 21-25, 25-21, 25-13, 25-21.
In the match, senior Kayla Sicher had 10 kills and three aces, junior Grace White had eight kills and six blocks, and junior Cece Bates had six kills.
Junior Anna Skogen had 23 assists, and senior Erica Gildea had 23 digs.
Snyder expected that outcome after close matches with Neshaminy and Pennridge, despite losing both 3-1.
“We have been building,” added Snyder. “We started slow against Neshaminy, but we did do some good things.
“The girls played better against Pennridge, and you could see how they began to have more confidence with each other. They were tough teams to open against, but I believe they both helped us in our development.”
Snyder will look to Sicher and Gildea to help set the pace for his club. They will form a core with fellow seniors Carissa Levers and Katelyn Martinez.
“We’ll be counting on those four,” stated Snyder. “They have done a good job, and have provided us with some leadership.”
Snyder also is counting on Bates, Skogen and White, along with fellow junior Mia Handschumacher, to make an impact on the team.
With some momentum to begin the week, Snyder is optimistic his team can continue their ascent. The Panthers have matches with Central Bucks West and Souderton on the docket for this week before they meet Harry S Truman Monday.
“We just have to keep working,” he stressed. “We finished our last game on a high note, and we have to keep it going. We have to climb another rung up the ladder.
“We are looking to improve on last year’s record and return to being competitive in the conference. The girls put on lots of off-season work, and they are ready for the challenge.”
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