Canfield girls young and promising

August 21, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

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By GREG GULAS

Last year, the Cardinals went 12-6 overall and 4-2 in All-American Conference Red Tier action, but must replace four graduating seniors if they expect to improve on last year’s mark.

Head coach Diane McCall, now in her 14th season as the only coach the program has ever known (she helped form the program in 1997), is excited about the progress her team has made.

But she concedes that while five juniors and one senior will start out carrying the load, her team still remains very young.

“This year’s group has really stepped up, working hard at their games because of the opportunity that has been presented,” she explained. “Losing four seniors is what has created that opportunity and I am pleased with how we have begun the season.

“I want us to face the toughest competition out there so that we can prepare for the league and state, at the same time giving them a chance to play beyond high school as well,” McCall noted.

Gone are Whitney Graff, Amanda Orr, Alexis Rafoth and Erin McGlone, with Graff and Orr currently on college rosters at the University of Akron and Tiffin University, respectively.

McCall’s only senior this season is Taylor Salreno, while the five juniors expected to contribute include Kayla Cerimele, Kelly Fleming, Annie McGlone, Sophia Pilolli and Jess Tseng.

The one sophomore hoping to kick her game up a notch is Olivia Pacheco. Five freshmen, Gina Cerimele, Olivia DeMartino, Bailey Hardick, Nicolette Lacich and Michele Whiteleather, are the reason McCall expects to be competitive for years to come.