Ridgeland hoping youth will be served
It’s funny how much difference a few years can make.
In 2016, April Lemonds utilized the talents of a senior-heavy club to a win an area championship and advance to the Class AAAA Elite Eight.
However, just four years later, Lemonds enters the 2020 season without a single senior on the roster for the first time in her coaching career. But anyone that saw Ridgeland last year probably already knows that a lack of seniors does not mean a lack of talent.
Although there are some big shoes to fill at certain spots, the Lady Panthers have a very good nucleus returning, both offensively and defensively, and will bring back a good deal of experience, despite their youth.
“The great thing is that we have some players this year that are three-year starters and others that put in a lot of time last year, so I have some kids returning with a lot of experience,” Lemonds explained.
That includes five returning players that have been through the battles in area play, four of which are juniors.
Middle hitter Justice Devlin had 267 kills, 71 blocks and 33 aces last season, while rightside hitter Asia Silmon put up 80 kills and 17 blocks in 2019. On defense, libero Brylee Durham collected 253 digs and 30 aces a year ago, while utility player Bailey Fowler recorded 60 digs and 107 service receptions as a sophomore.
“Justice continues to develop as a player,” Lemonds began. “She started off with a blocking mentality and she’s always been good with that. Now she’s decided she wants to be a hitter as well. She’s definitely put in the work and she’s becoming very effective.
“Asia showed us last year what she can really do on the right side. She’s coming around to where she can hit the ball really well. Brylee will play libero again. She did a great job with it (last year) and hopefully she’ll continue to grow and captain the defense from the back row. Bailey is versatile. She’s been a hitter, a defensive specialist and even played some at libero as a freshman in the state playoffs.”
One more returning starter is sophomore Natalee Mcclain (122 kills, 83 aces), who played and started as a freshman at outside hitter.