Lady Warriors get spike in volleyball program.
Opponents of West Side Christian have probably already started shopping for graduation presents. They can’t wait for Lauren Land and Anna Williams to walk across the stage and move on to college. The two seniors are among the leaders for the Lady Warriors, who will open their volleyball regular season Tuesday at Malvern against Ambassador Baptist.
New coach Adam Willett welcomed 18 athletes in grades 7-12 this season. Although he only has
the two seniors, the coach believes this year’s group could be special.
“We’re definitely a team full of girls who have been doing it for a long time, especially our senior high team,” Willett said. “Full of girls who have been around the game, been really involved in West Side volleyball the last several years and have been doing club volleyball. So, I’ve been really impressed with their mental toughness and their leadership and their maturity, especially.”
Both Land and Williams stand at least 6-foot-1 and present imposing problems at the net for opponents. They’re also versatile enough to strike from the back row and well-rounded servers and defenders.
“It’s not just height. It’s also height with skill that comes with it. And, again, a maturity comes with it. That’s the best thing about having those girls,” said Willett. “They’re tall and they’re long. But, they’re also skilled and they’re also mature. That’s going to help us in so many different ways. They’re both really confident girls, who aren’t afraid to really push it, especially when it comes to looking for kills and things like that. That’s a really big boost for our team, even emotionally, that excitement about having them there.”
Williams, who has verbally committed to play volleyball at the University of Central Arkansas, is coming off an ACL injury.
“Not having Anna last year for the majority of the year actually helped
girls. It kind of galvanized the team a little bit and certainly forced girls to get better and not just rely on her. That helps going into this year,” said Willett, who said Williams’ return to the court has helped the team’s confidence.
“That’s a big pick-me-up and a boost for the team as far as morale.”
Brooklin Pitard, a junior, is a returning starter at setter and is also a frontline contributor. Sophomore Carley Dugal returns to provide stability at the libero position.
Kimber Mitcham and Tori Bates are both expected to start as freshmen. Willett said their experience is beyond most ninth graders.
“They play a lot of club ball so they’re really mature for their age.”
Other varsity players include: Abby Sipes, Tori McDiarmid and Daisisabell Tabe. The JV roster includes Whitney McGoogan, Tally McDonald, Victoria Colley, Sofaa Sohail, Alex Williamson, Grace McNabb, Madison Davis, Anna Fruge, Carson Bain, Tabe, McDiarmid, Bates and Mitcham.
Willett, who was an assistant boys and girls basketball coach last year, is also the head golf coach. He got a late start on the volleyball season but hopes the Lady Warriors will gradually round into form.
“We’re looking for constant progression. Our goals are to continually get better every game. Hopefully, that means a lot at the end of the year,” said Willett. “We’ve actually had several girls come out this year that weren’t necessarily planning on coming out. I think there’s an excitement around the season. There’s a buzz.”