Lady Jackets look forward to 2015
The Rockmart Lady Yellow Jackets volleyball team rounded out their season with two rounds of playoff wins and a region championship for 2014, and head coach Robert Torline couldn’t be more proud of his girls.
“From the beginning till the end, I have watched these girls grow more into what a team signifies and become a family on and off the court,” he said.
The Lady Jackets went into the third round of the playoffs on Oct. 25 to face off against Westminster, but weren’t able to pull off a win to make it to the semi and finals as Torline was hoping his team would this year.
They finished the tournament 0-3 against Westminster, who went on to win runner up in the AAA state championship game.
Rockmart, the Area 5AAA Champion, played host to Adairsville in the second round, the third seed from Area 6AAA before heading into the next round against Westminster.
Rockmart swept North Clayton in three sets to start off the playoffs.
Though the Lady Jackets didn’t make it as far as they hoped this season, Torline said he’s got a great squad coming back for 2015 eyeing championship gold.
He said only one senior is graduating from the team this year.
“We will be losing Darby Maulding, our middle blocker, that has truly been an asset to the team this year,” he said.
With the help of upcoming Sophomore Makenzie Kent, and Junior Courtney Wooten that spot should be solid in the coming years, Torline said.
“We will also have Clara Delgado ( libero), Kalisha Printup (outside hitter) and Lia Morris (back row), along with Stephanie Guzman (setter) as well as upcoming Junior setter Bethanie Forsyth and Sophomore (outside hitter) Jayla Delgado coming back,” he said. “That will make for an impressive defense.”
Torline said the varsity wasn’t the only team to impress on the court this year. Rockmart’s junior varsity team went 10-2 this year.
“I’m looking forward to see what they have to bring to the table next year,” he said.
Though Torline said the top spot at Rockmart can sometimes be lonely – especially when the season ends – he’s had plenty of help over the years to continue improv- ing the program.
“I have had lots of help from administration and coaches over the past 10 years,” he said. “We have build a solid foundation here at Rockmart but I’m more impressed with how these young ladies have grown up to be young women.”