When it comes to SVC programs, Adena volleyball leads the way
Just for the purpose of debate, I will play devil’s advocate. If you are looking at the past decade, there are a few programs that deserve a mention in this debate. Unioto golf is probably the only program that can put together a “dynasty-like” resume. Dan Drummond’s Unioto teams started winning at least a share of SVC titles in the league’s inaugural season of 1993 and has owned a piece of it nearly every year since. Westfall football has really enjoyed a successful run while Unioto Cross Country has done the same. Other programs have had stretches of success. For example, Paint Valley football had a fast start to the 2000s while Southeastern basketball has enjoyed five league titles since 1998. Adena and Zane Trace baseball spent most of the past 10 years dominating the baseball diamond after Unioto did so for most of the 90s. Zane Trace softball had an amazing run as well. Finally, perhaps the most consistently successful program outside of the Adena volleyball program may be Westfall volleyball. They have had an amazing 12 year stretch in the postseason, but of course their resume is missing a long line of SVC titles because of the Lady Warriors.
In other words, several programs have won some, but none have won like Laura Smith’s Adena program. Adena enters this fall winners of 70 straight matches inside the Scioto Valley Conference. They have also won 126 straight in the comfort of their home gymnasium. What is amazing about their run is the fact that it has truly been done with their depth of talent. Only five Adena players have earned conference POY since 1996; however, every year Adena’s entire rotation offers a collection of all-league talent. The program has such a strong foundation. The coaching staff, top to bottom, is outstanding, and the development at each level is constantly preparing the next group to carry on the tradition. When most good programs are rebuilding this great program is reloading. Each fall, it is hard to imagine Adena losing a set, yet alone three out of five.
Returning to the devil’s advocate role there is an argument that says volleyball is a sport that is easier to dominate than basketball or baseball. Basketball can be shortened by time making upsets more possible. Baseball is a sport that forces teams to play several league games without their best pitcher on the mound. Volleyball is a sport where there is no “shortening the game.” If a less talented team is going to upset an Adena, they are going to have to beat them to a score three out of five times.
I do agree with the make-up of the sports in the above argument; however, I in no way agree with the argumentative point at all. Adena volleyball has produced a level of play that is simply ahead of the competition. Adena’s talent level has set a standard we judge all SVC volleyball by and that is why we view the bottom half of the league as sometimes being down. What the postseason tells us is that SVC volleyball is pretty elite throughout the southeast, but Adena has a way of making the league look unbalanced.
They have not only done this once or twice in the past couple of decades, they have done it year in and year out. Several SVC schools have sent teams to the Final Four and Adena girls’ basketball and Paint Valley Baseball have even won State Championships, but none of those other programs have been able to do it with the same level of domination. Those teams were great teams. Adena has had a great collection of teams…making a great program.
