Not a bad set-up
BUTLER TWP — A hip flexor injury and lack of interest
put an end to Matt Wetzel's track career.
It wasn't all bad.
That opened up a spot in the spring for the
When he was in middle school, his sister, Katelyn,
was friends with players on the boys volleyball team.
That led to his interest and his going out for the team as a
sophomore.
“I was always close to the sport because my sister was friends
with the boys on the volleyball team,” Wetzel said. “When they practiced in
Wetzel has found a home as a setter and has helped a young Golden
Tornado team get into the playoff race.
Golden Tornado coach Lew Liparulo thought Wetzel would make a good setter.
He was the primary setter for the junior varsity team last
season.
“Before and after practice, we got a lot of reps in,” Liparulo said. “He's taken big steps. At the beginning of
the season, he might get called for six or seven bad sets a match. Now, he's
down in the normal range at one or two.”
Wetzel has benefitted from having
hitters that were able to get used to his pace.
Both of the Golden Tornado's top hitters are new to the rotation.
Freshman Nash Bryan has stepped in along with senior Chris Fiorina, who moved from libero
last season.
“The progress has been exponential,” Fiorina
said of Wetzel. “It's been fantastic playing and watching him grow. He started
the season later than the rest of us. He grew up with us and helped us
throughout the season.”
Wetzel got started late with the varsity squad because he
qualified for the state bowling championships, which were held March 23.
“The team had to adjust and get used to me,” Wetzel said. “(The
pace) is a lot faster now. We've come together and learned from our mistakes.”
Wetzel played a big role in
The Golden Tornado rallied from being down two sets to one to
steal a win on the road.
He leads the team with 266 assists.
Liparulo said the
biggest thing with this Golden Tornado team is stressing decision-making and
communication. He felt that Wetzel's skill set lent itself to setting.
“We have our hitters communicate effectively,” Liparulo said. “You can't put the chicken before the egg.
You need to work on passing and get consistency in setting. Then you have to be
able to hit effectively.”
Bryan and Fiorina have also settled in
and lead the team in kills. Fiorina has 243 kills,
“I made the adjustment pretty nicely,” Fiorina
said. “I think playing in the back row a lot helps me a get a more complete
sense of the game.”
A lot of moving pieces found their place this season for the
Golden Tornado.
Wetzel hopes it can lead to postseason success.
“We need to try and win out the rest of the season,” Wetzel said.
“I think our last game is a difficult one. But we have Shaler
(today) and we need to go out and dominate them to get moment for the rest of
the season.”