Veteran LFO squad looking to challenge in 6-AAA

The LFO Lady Warriors may not have won as many matches last season as they are accustomed to, but they did manage to win enough to get into the Class AAA state playoffs.

It marked the seventh consecutive campaign that the Red-and-White have advanced to the big tournament. However, it was a short playoff run as they were defeated by No. 1-seeded Jefferson, marking the Lady Warriors’ third consecutive first-round exit since they made it all the way to the Elite Eight in 2016.

But with a number of returning varsity players and several starters back in the fold, LFO is hoping to extend its postseason run, despite having to navigate a tougher Area 6-AAA path that has expanded to nine teams with several solid newcomers.

And like every other team in the state, the Lady Warriors had to first manage an interesting preseason that saw them deal with restrictions and regulations because of COVID-19.

“It’s been a challenge at times, but I think we’re doing okay,” said veteran head coach Diane Norwood. “It’s hard to stay six feet apart when you’re doing drills and stuff...but we try to keep them separate as much as possible.”

Norwood said despite the challenges, her players are handling the situation as well as they can from a mental standpoint and having strong team chemistry helps tremendously.

“They’re getting along very well together and there’s a lot of camaraderie,” she explained. “I think communication and teamwork are the strengths of our team.”

LFO will have six seniors on this year’s squad, which

is the most any Lady Warriors’ club has had at one time in a number of seasons.

“They’ll have to step it up (and be leaders),” Norwood added. “We lost a couple of hitters from last year and it’s going to be tougher with nine (teams) in our area instead of five, so that’ll be different for us, too.”

Middle hitter Madison

Stookey (53 kills, 58 blocks in 2019), the team’s tallest player, will once again anchor the front row, while Xitlalli Gomez (299 digs, 274 service receptions) is back to handle the libero position once more. Up front, setter Morgan Noblitt ( 276 assists, 73 digs, 69 aces) will provide leadership and is the team’s returning leaders in aces.

She can also play on the back row, if needed.

Two of the final three seniors, Riley White and Raven Hobbs, will primarily play on defense, while Bailey Sullivan will move up to fill a hitter’s spot this year after mostly playing defense a year ago. White (20 kills, 30 digs, 13 aces) and Sullivan (20 kills, 81 digs, 11 aces) saw signifi

cant action with the varsity in 2019.

Among the juniors, returner Madison Dorsey (299 digs, 21 kills, 18 aces) has the versatility to play on the front and back row, while Taliyah Holland and Madison Gilliland will add depth to the Lady Warriors’ back row. Up front, sophomores Sydney O’Neal and June Lindroth will look

to contribute to the LFO offense.

And like most coaches, Norwood said staying injury-free is a must.

“Staying well, for sure, but the other key is making sure they keep working well together,” she added. “The new area is going to be tough and it’s really going to be a challenge, but I think we’ll be up for the challenge.”