Canfield | Volleyball Janie Rafoth

It’s all in the family for Janie Rafoth.

Having played with her older sister Ellie for one year and her twin Rachel for four, Rafoth enjoyed her volleyball experience at Canfield.

“It was amazing. I started as a freshman,” Rafoth said. “Then sophomore year was great too as we made it the farthest Canfield volleyball has ever been.”

The Cardinals reached a regional final against Cleveland Heights Beaumont, the eventual state champion.

“You are so close to state and that’s your goal,” Rafoth said. “And your playing with girls that you worked so hard with the whole season. It’s the biggest game I’ve played in.”

After that season, the Cardinals made the jump from Division II to Division I.

“The competition is so much better,” Rafoth said. “The schools have bigger girls and more girls to choose from.”

This fall Janie helped lead the Cardinals to a 24-2 season which ended in the district finals against Hudson.

Rafoth made the All-American Conference Red Division first-team and was named the Division player of the year. She was first-team all-conference her sophomore and junior year as well.

Janie, a setter, had 30 assists in her final high school match.

“I just have to make the best decision to set the hitter who will give us the best opportunity to win the point,” she said.

In addition to success on the court, Rafoth carries a 4.07 GPA and participates in numerous school organizations in which she’s learned many important lessons.

“It would be teamwork,” Rafoth said. “Every day you are faced with situations that you need to work together with other people.”

Of all the memories Janie has made at Canfield, playing with her family sticks out.

“That was probably one of my favorite things about volleyball,” Rafoth said. “Not many people get to experience that.”