Wood County Christian volleyball is the model of consistency.
Since the turn of the century, the Wildcats usually have a say on how the West Virginia Christian Athletics Tournament is going to play out. Beginning Friday at Charleston Catholic, the scenario is no different.
As the No. 1 seed out of a field of nine schools, WCCS is seeking its fourth championship since 2001. In that 11-year span, the Wildcats have failed to advance to the WVCAT final only twice (2010 and 2011).
"As far as being successful, just like anything it takes a while to build anything up and for us it took a few years," said WCCS coach Mike Conaway.
Not only has Conaway been in charge since the program's inception 18 years ago, but he also serves as the school's athletic director.
Despite losing two starters to graduation, the Wildcats returned a plethora of experience for the start of this season with the likes of seniors Kristen Lord and Jenni Menear. The addition of identical twins Hannah and Heather Lord as freshmen completed the picture.
"Obviously we have had some good teams in the past - since we're a small school sometimes we might have somewhere between four to six quality players, but this year we have nine for sure," Conaway said. "We are just very balanced and very well-rounded.
"When we started the season, I was concerned with our passing because that was not our strength last year. With the addition of the Lord twins, that's their expertise. They've been a tremendous asset to us, and made what was a good team into a real good team.
"Along with our libero (Rachel Ruble), they have done a really good job."
Rounding out the 12-member roster are seniors Adessa Morris and Brooke Gibson, juniors Katie Ward, Adria Herridge, Sarah Rataiczak and sophomores Rinnah Ward and Demichelle Krupinski.
Kristen Lord and Herridge shoulder the load at the net, while the bulk of the setting duties falls to Menear and Ward.
A large contingent of this year's unit have experience within the WCCS system's middle school level.
"Part of our success has to do with the feeder system," Conaway said.
WCCS enters the postseason with a 24-2 record. The only two matches preventing the Wildcats from a perfect record are losses to WVSSAC members St. Marys and Paden City. St. Marys won in a fifth and final set at home on Oct. 1 and Paden City swept WCCS in two sets during a tri-match at Paden City last Thursday.
At Charleston Catholic, WCCS awaits the winner of Friday afternoon's play-in match between Calvary and Regional Christian. Game time for the Wildcats' quarterfinal match is 2:30 p.m.
If everything plays out according to form, the Wildcats would oppose fourth-seeded Elk Valley Christian that same evening at 7 in the semifinal round. The championship is slated for a noon start on Saturday.
Contenders on the opposite side of the bracket are second-seeded Teays Valley Christian and third-seeded Parkersburg Christian.
