Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Lady Tigers Young, Inexperienced, Yet Enthusiastic
PRAIRIE GROVE VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW
PRAIRIE GROVE — The varsity Lady Tiger volleyball team restructures for the 2017 season after graduating eight key seniors including a trio of All-Conference players.
The post Riley Gerwig/ Kara Anderson era begins. Gerwig earned All-State honors as one of the best middle hitters in the conference. The 6-feet-1 Gerwig was a fixture as the Lady Tigers’ go-to girl enjoying a great chemistry with Anderson, who played setter. Cadi Williamson, another solid hitter, also graduated from last year’s team that finished 14-7 overall and 10-4 in the blended 3A/4A District 1.
Coach Mat Stewart admits, “We’ve got a lot of girls to replace.”
“There are one or two girls without any high school experience on the team that are getting significant experience. We’ve got a lot of sophomores and the juniors didn’t get a lot of playing time last year.”
This year’s squad composed of five seniors, seven juniors and 12 sophomores makes up for their lack of experience with enthusiasm.
Middle Hitter
A trio of girls are competing for the spot Gerwig dominated from at middle hitter: senior Elizabeth Berner (5-9), junior Jade Cantu (5-9), and sophomore Jansen Williams (5-9).
“They know they’re competing with each other,” Stewart said. “It might end up in a three-way tie where I start one, one week, and another the next. It depends on who is playing well at the time. All three of them work hard.”
Outside Hitter
Senior co-captain Alisan Alexander transitions from playing right hitter last season to outside hitter.
Sophomore Emily Traylor (5-8) is young, but Stewart says big things are expected out of her.
Right Hitter
Sophomore Gracie Pierce (5-6) will play on the front line as another option in the Lady Tiger attack.
Setter
Sophomore Samantha Blosser (5-5) will be the primary playmaker. Junior Chrysten Wetzel (5-7) is another setter, who also sees action at right hitter.
“She’s a great leader,” Stewart said. “We’re looking to her to do some great things, as well.”
Libero
Senior co-captain Ali Edgar (5-3) is as tough as nails according to Stewart.
“I feel she’ll be one of our better defensive players,” Stewart said. “I wouldn’t trade that kid for anybody. She’s definitely our heart and soul of this team.”
Defensive Specialists
Senior Stacey Johnson (5-5), junior Olivia Woodie (5-4), junior Abigail Milmom (5-3), and sophomore Jada Rowe (5-5) do the dirty work of diving on the floor, digging out hits and getting under the volleyball. Stewart said each has about the same skill level and can contribute.
“They’re small, but quick; they play hard, but get on the ground,” Stewart said. “It all comes back to inexperience.”
Johnson returns to the team after not playing her sophomore and junior years and is doing all she can to make up for that.
“Stacey didn’t play the last two years so that’s put her behind, but the effort, the mentality and the want-to is pushing her up the list for playing time in that back row,” Stewart said.
Conference Outlook
Stewart says the 4A-1 is going to be tough as always and traditionally, the league has one of the better volleyball conferences.
“A lot of us lost a lot of experience,” Stewart said.
West Fork graduated most of last year’s strong team while Lincoln, Gentry and Gravette all have new coaches. Lauren Merritt takes over at Lincoln. Gravette’s new coach came from Jonesboro-Westside and ran the peewee volleyball program there.
“That’s why they’re so good volleyball-wise, they have a peewee program.”
Stewart holds Shiloh Christian’s volleyball program in healthy respect, saying one cannot talk about 4A-1 volleyball without mentioning Shiloh.
“They sat a high bar, they always have,” Stewart said. “Even if they lose players, they always have someone waiting in the wings.”
As for the blended 4A/3A Conference, Stewart said Elkins is a team to pay attention to.
“Elkins, they are as athletic as anybody, they’ve got most of their players back in a brand new volleyball program.”
Overview
“They play hard, they like themselves, they like each other and they like their coach,” Stewart grins. “Hopefully, we can build off of that and learn a little volleyball in the process. Hopefully we can get better as the year progresses.”