Local teams looking to win battle at the net in 2017
Sonoraville aims to continue program success with younger roster; Calhoun looks to reach potential; GC enters 1st year of varsity schedule
The prep volleyball season has arrived with the start of school and the rush of Fall sports, and the three local teams have all been on the court the past couple weeks practicing to get ready for their first matches.
Each team enters 2017 with high goals, and those are led by Sonoraville, who has put together an incredible run by their program over the last several years. The Lady Phoenix have won five straight area titles, and been to the third round of the state tournament each of those seasons. They will have to replace a talented group of seniors who graduated off last year’s squad, but Coach Trace Vaughn, who will return as head coach after a one year absence, has plenty of young talent ready to step up and fill those spots as they look to keep the area title streak going.
Calhoun, coached by veteran Randy Rice, has narrowly missed the state tournament each of the last two seasons so they go into the new year with plenty of motivation. The Lady Jackets had plenty of underclassmen get valuable varsity experience last season, and that should pay off this Fall with a more seasoned and together unit.
Gordon Central enters a new phase for their program this season as they will play their first year of varsity volleyball. The Lady Warriors played the last two seasons on a JV schedule and have had plenty of success in doing so, but they will be tested on a new level this year. They will also have a first-year head coach in Cindy Miller, who takes over for Debbie Mixon, who led the team in its first two seasons.
With the season opening in the next several days, the Calhoun Times takes a look at each of the three local teams with info and thoughts from each coach.
Here’s all that you need to get ready for each team’s first serve:
SONORAVILLE Head Coach:
Trace Vaughn (fifth season, returning after one-year absence)
Last Year’s Record:
27-23-1 (Won Area 1-AAA title, lost to Pace Academy in Class AAA Elite Eight)
Key Players:
Bree Steely (setter/outside hitter, Jr.), Anissa Hales (libero, Jr.), Kinsey Wilson (DS/RS, Jr.)
Coach Questions: CT:
The team went to the Elite Eight again last season after winning their fifth straight region title. How hard has this year’s group of girls worked to keep those high expectations and tradition going?
We recently had about 20 of our alumni back for an event on campus. Our current players were in awe. It was great to see so many young ladies, who put in all the hard work to turn our program into something special, together on one court. In just 10 years of varsity play, we’ve had 10 players go on to play at the college level, plus two others who are playing college basketball. I am very blessed to have been able to coach so many players who were willing to sacrifice their time and put in the effort to get us where we are as a program. However, each year is a new year. This year’s team has its own identity, and they mesh very well. The girls are aware of the tradition, but even though we discuss that, our expectations are to be the best team we can be in 2017. We aren’t measuring ourselves by what pre-
VAUGHN:
vious teams have done. All that really matters is that we become the best people and team that we can be, both on and off the court.
CT:
The team lost some key seniors from last year’s squad, but you have some experienced and talented players returning, including Bree Steely and Kinsey Wilson. How much of a leadership role have they taken on this offseason and preseason and how key are they to the team’s success in 2017?
This will be Bree’s third year on varsity, and she has developed into a tremendous leader. She is vocal, takes charge, she understands the game and she plays at a high level. Kinsey and Anissa will also play leadership roles, and both are fantastic athletes with great attitudes and work ethic. The team has been very receptive to their leadership thus far, and as a whole, we have a group of girls who are willing to work and do what it takes to improve themselves and strengthen the team.
VAUGHN: CT:
With so many starting spots to fill, how good has the competition been this summer and in early practices and who are a few girls that you think can step in and have big seasons?
VAUGHN:
We have talent from top to bottom, and the competition has been stiff. I told the girls nothing is locked in because they are all so close in talent. The battle for positions has been strong, and we’ve had some earn varsity spots who weren’t on it after tryouts. I fully expect to see changes throughout the season as girls find their niche and establish themselves as players.
CT:
What do you think the biggest strengths are for your team going into the season and what are the biggest areas your team needs to improve in?
We are definitely a defensive-oriented team. Our passing is excellent all the way around. We will have to get better at the net. I expected Diana Bishop to be our starting middle, but we’ve lost her to an injury for the season. Right now, it appears two freshmen, Raleigh Hooper and Abby Chambers are in contention to play middle. They are both very athletic, but their knowledge of the game will have to be fasttracked to get to where they need to be.
VAUGHN: CT:
What are your overall expectations of the 2017 Lady Phoenix and what is the biggest key or keys for your team to achieve those?
We’ve graduated 15 players over the last two years. Having no seniors, and likely having multiple freshmen in the rotation, experience is a major issue. Every time we practice, I find something new that players haven’t experienced. We have a ton of athleticism, and it is a very intelligent group that has also proven they are not afraid of work. If our understanding of the game catches up with our talent level, this could be a very dangerous team. Our primary setter, Hannah Wehunt, has great hands and is willing to do whatever it takes to help the team succeed, but she has very little game experience. Alea Johnson will be our second outside hitter, and she is also very smart and sees the court well. Skylar Huskins really gets after it and will hit from the right side and play defense for us. Both will be major contributors, but neither has varsity experience. I expect us to compete for an area title, but how far we go really depends on how quickly the girls mature as
VAUGHN:
volleyball players.
CALHOUN Head Coach:
(10th season)
Last Year’s Record: Key Players:
14-21-1 Emma Kate Smith (outside hitter, Jr.), Sophie Stewart (outside hitter, Jr.), Erin Davis (setter, Sr.), Anna George (center hitter, Soph.)
Coach Questions: CT:
Your team narrowly missed the playoffs the last two seasons. How much motivation has that given the girls to work hard this offseason and preseason to try to get back to the playoffs this year?
Our goal is always to be the best team we can be, and we expect to play well every time out on the court. It hurts to get put out early. The girls and I know we will have to work very hard to improve and get in the playoff picture. This group of girls do not need any outside motivation to work hard. They enjoy playing the game and being around each other.
RICE: CT:
Your team was very young last season. How much do you think that experience will help the girls coming back this year?
Inexperience and a lack of communications skills hurt us last year, and we know what it takes to play on a higher level. This year’s team has veteran players and will continue to get better and improve in those areas.
RICE: CT:
Who are some of the leaders for this team that you will count on as a coach and how important are they to keeping things on track for the team?
This year’s team is very close and easy going with each other. That is extremely important since we play so many matches in a year.
RICE:
Randy Rice