Local squads aim high, work hard going into season
Calhoun hopes to build on area title, Elite Eight run; Sonoraville looks for experience to lead to success; GC wants to take next step with new coach
The action on the local volleyball courts will heat up soon as the three local teams open the season in the next week, and they each have high expectations for 2018.
Calhoun is coming off its most successful season in program history as they captured the area title in 2017 and then went on to advance to the Elite Eight for the first time ever. They will look to keep that momentum rolling this season after losing just one senior off last year’s team. They have plenty of experienced talent back to make another run at the area crown and a trip deep into the postseason.
Sonoraville had a tough start to the season in 2017 but finished strong as their youth at the beginning of the schedule grew up in a hurry on the court. The Lady Phoenix earned a state tournament berth and advanced to the second round in Class AAA before their season came to an end, and they hope to build on that this year with the entire rotation returning. They have a large and talented senior class in 2018 that have high goals for their final high school season.
Gordon Central took a big step as a program last year, competing for the first time on the varsity level and showed some promise with their firstever area win and firstever area tournament win in program history. They will look to take another step this season under the leadership of a new coach with plenty of experience. Their aim is to become a consistent program that competes for a top-four spot in their area.
The teams will all be on the court within the next week to open the regular season so below is all the info you need to know for each. Here’s some team info for Calhoun, Sonoraville and Gordon Central as well as some thoughts from each of the three head coaches:
CALHOUN Head Coach:
Randy Rice (10th season)
Last Year’s Record:
32-15 (Won Area 1-AAA title, lost in Class AAA Elite Eight to Lovett)
Anna George (center hitter, Jr.), Ashlyn Brzozoski (libero, Soph.), Erin Kelly (center hitter, Sr.), Emma Kate Smith (outside hitter, Sr.) Coaches Questions:
Your team made program history by advancing to the Elite Eight for the first time last season. Based on that, how high is confidence going into this season and how determined are the girls to build upon that and possibly go even further in the state tournament this year?
Key Players: CT: RICE:
We are excited to get this year started. We learned what it takes last year to keep going in the playoffs. We worked really hard at camp and continue to work at our defense and communication. With a veteran team returning, the girls are eager to improve and aim the bar a little higher.
CT:
Your team lost one senior from last year in Erin Davis. How important will it be for someone or more than one player to step up into the leadership role left by her and based on early practices, who do you think will do that?
I told the girls we will be as good as our leadership demands of us. Many have good on-the-court leadership,
RICE:
but Erin Kelly and Anna George have really stepped up by encouraging and holding the girls accountable on the court and off.
CT:
With so many players returning from 2017, how excited are you to have an experienced and seasoned team back and how confident are you they will continue to improve even more this year?
We are returning five seniors, one junior and four sophomores so there is a lot of experience on the team. These girls are a pleasure to work with. They like each other.
RICE:
See 2C