John Raffel
Sports Scene
It seems like only yesterday that Jackie Gostomski started her high school volleyball career as a freshman at Vestaburg.
Now she’s a senior on the varsity and leading the way for a strong Wolverine squad that’s been battling Sacred Heart Academy for first place in the Mid-State Activities Conference.
A 3-0 victory over Evart on the road in early October illustrated how competitive the Wolverines continue to be this season. Gostomski led that victory with a strong overall game, but specializing in blocking and setting.
Gostomski said this has been her best season as a Wolverine.
“I feel more confident than ever,” she said, adding that as a blocker, “my timing is my best strength so far. Our conditioning coach helps me with my jumping. She has us do lots of cardios, lots of legwork. We’ve been working a lot on our arms.”
As a setter, Gostomski points out that her backset “is the best it’s ever been.”
When it comes to setting at the right spots for her teammates, Gostomski said she’s been effective “for the most part. Sometimes I have to adjust.”
She hopes to improve her serving. “I’m working on placing it,” she said. “I’m also working on my passing.”
The focus for the Wolverines this season, Gostomski noted, has been going after the MSAC title and winning the district. Vestaburg started out with a 3-1 league record, losing only to Sacred Heart.
Gostomski is a talented athlete, who also plays basketball and softball, but she says she doesn’t have a favorite sport.
“I feel comfortable playing all three,” she said.