Williamson dropped just four sets on their way to a 10-0 divisional record, beating Cowanesque Valley and Northeast Bradford 3-0 two times each, topping Wyalusing 3-0 and 3-1, Canton 3-0 and 3-2 and District 4 Class A champ Sayre 3-0 and 3-1. 

The Lady Warriors’ 15-3 regular season record left them with the No. 4 seed in the 2A playoffs where they faced No. 5 seed North Penn-Liberty, who had topped Williamson 3-0 in their regular season match. The Mounties won 3-1 to bring Williamson’s season to an end.

Williamson Head Coach Nicole VanGorden points to a trio of seniors that helped lead the underclassmen-heavy Lady Warriors this season.

“We’re graduating three seniors in Raegan VanGorden, Abby Gehman and Emma Bailey,” says Coach VanGorden, “and they’re going to be hard to replace.”

Both VanGorden and Gehman have racked up impressive career stats for the Lady Warriors .. with VanGorden handing out over 1,700 assists, serving up 648 points with 199 aces and collecting 751 digs and 175 kills. 

Gehman reached 500 kills for her career this season and leaves with 543 while also having 309 service points with 108 aces and 364 digs. On the season, the outside hitter led Williamson with 238 kills and added 200 points with 65 aces and 213 digs.

VanGorden led Williamson this season with 510 assists and 215 service points while adding 50 aces, 63 kills and 216 digs, while Bailey had 99 digs, 24 kills and 99 points with 14 aces.

“We have a few underclassmen who are ready to accept the challenge,” says Coach VanGorden of replacing her graduating seniors, “They’ll put in the work during the off-season to fill these spots.”

Juniors Olivia Nolan (212 kills, 188 pts., 77 aces, 240 digs, 17 assists, 6 blocks), Aubrey Wells (126 kills, 164 pts., 49 aces, 25 blocks, 80 digs, 24 assists) and Bailey Snyder (319 digs, 144 pts., 40 aces, 32 assists) will lead the way as returning starters next season, while junior Laine LaPointe (74 pts., 24 aces, 63 digs, 42 assists) and sophomore Dana LaPointe (30 kills, 29 digs, 19 assists) will look to take on bigger roles.

Coach VanGorden is encouraged by the example set by her championship squad.

“This group of girls was especially exciting to coach,” says VanGorden, “Regardless of what the score was, they stuck together and encouraged each other. It was awesome to see them keeping each other motivated .. working towards both individual and team goals.”