Volleyball 2014 1

2012 Johnson County

VOLLEYBALL

Alvarado Burleson CentennialCleburne Godley Grandview Joshua

Keene Rio VistaA sneak peak into the upcoming volleyball season,

including schedules, photos and previews.A special supplement to the Cleburne Times-Review

2014 Johnson County

VOLLEYBALL

2 Volleyball 2014

Johnson County Volleyball 2014is a publication of the

Cleburne Times-Review

Publisher Kay HelmsManaging Editor Dale GosserSports Editor A.J. CrispContributing Photographers David Beans Steven Hiser Grandview ISDAdvertising Kay Helms, Mgr.Advertising executives Eric Faught Tammy Kay Barbara Smith Ryan WheatGraphics/cover Ashley Garey

817-645-2441Fax: 817-645-4020

108 S. Anglin St.Cleburne, Texas

P.O. Box 1569Cleburne, TX 76033

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Onlinewww.cleburnetimesreview.com

David Beans photoBurleson senior Mackenzie Hailey will play more of an intergral role in the Lady Elks attack in 2014.

Steven Hiser photoGodley junior Sydnee Schofield is one of eight returning letter-men for the Lady Cats.

Volleyball 2014 3

By Tommy Brownaisd information officer

During her teams first workout of the season on Mon-day, Alvarado Coach Jill Barkey stopped a drill and gathered her junior varsity and varsity players at midcourt.

Her message was simple.We can replace the tal-

ent we lost, Im not worried about that, she told them. The thing I need from each of you is I need yall to want it as bad as the last group. We have plenty of talent, but you have to show me you want to know the little things, the strategy part of the game.

The Lady Indians have earned playoff berths the last two years and last year came away with a first-round win over a state-ranked Gatesville team that swept them the year before.

With four of five teams in District 7-4A making the playoffs and the teams recent playoff appearances, the Lady Indians expectations have ris-en above simply reaching the playoffs.

Playoffs should be a given, Barkey said. We need to be talking about winning playoff games not about making the playoffs.

The teams schedule is an-other indication of how the Lady Indians are looking to-ward the playoffs. Along with tough tournaments like Brew-er, Grandview and Southwest, Barkey added playoff regulars Arlington Heights and Spring-town to their schedule.

We have to be ready when

the playoffs get here because we have a good Springtown team and the defending state champion (Decatur) wait-ing for us in our neighboring district, Barkey said. Those three tour-nament to start the season are going to be good for us because were going to be playing some really good teams that didnt graduate everyone like we did.

The Lady Indians will be counting on a lot of new faces

this season as they have only two who are returning with varsity experience in Waverly Federico and Carolyn Garcia.

There are five others who

were with the team for their playoff run and the Lady Indians will also get a boost from senior Cheyenne Means who hasnt played volleyball the last couple years.

I hate to say rebuilding be-

cause it has a negative connota-tion to it, but we will be young Barkey said. Our first couple tournaments will be a real eye opener for the girls who havent spent much time on varsity. I

think theyll do great but Im excited to see

how they react and handle the pressure.

The Lady Indians season begins at 11 a.m. Tuesday when they host Fort Worth Northside. Next weekend, they will be playing in the Grand-view Tournament.

Expectations rising for Lady Indians

Tommy Brown photoMallory Bennett will be one of several newcomers for the varsity Lady Indians. Alvarado is aiming for its third consecutive postseason berth after missing out the previous 10 years.

Playoffs are the expected goal now in Alvarado

4 Volleyball 2014

By A.J. Crispsports@trcle.com

If the Burleson Lady Elks are to add to their run of three consecutive district titles, they will do so against a tougher dis-trict schedule while facing the challenge of replacing two vital players.

The newly formed District 8-5A dropped struggling vol-leyball programs in Waco High and Waco University and added perennial powers in Aledo and Granbury.

Combine the new district foes with the fact that Burleson graduated two of the programs most decorated athletes in Hol-ly Milam and Alana Hughes, and there will certainly be a few challenges facing Coach DAnna Newtons Lady Elks, who returns to the sideline after a year away from BISD. Despite the challenges, shes confident in another solid season.

We have high expectations, she said. Were coming into a new district, and everybody says, Oh, youre in there with Aledo and Granbury. But were worried about the next game ahead of us. Were not worried about what were going to do in district. Were worried about coming together as a team and building that chemistry and get-ting all the hard work in now to be ready to face the Aledos and Granburys and Joshuas. Its go-ing to be a fight but were taking it one step at a time.

Adding Aledo and Gran-bury, who finished 1-2 in Dis-

trict 7-4A last year, respectively, to District 8-5A has its pros and cons, Newton said.

The pros to it are we dont have to face Aledo or Granbury coming right out of district [early in the playoffs], she said. Theyre also going to prepare us for whats to come in the playoffs.

But its going to be a fight for all four [playoff] spots. The district title could be anybodys. I like it. That prepares us for the play-offs unlike playing those weaker schools in district. It prepares for whats in store in the playoffs, but weve got to get there first before we start worrying about who

were going to play.Replacing Milam, a three-

time all-district and all-county MVP, and Hughes, who won several setter of the year awards in all-district and all-county voting, will be key in not only their production, but their lead-ership, Newton said.

Holly and Alana were a huge part of four years of Bur-leson volleyball, Newton said. Its hard to lose them both but I feel like as they left, they had taught the younger girls a lot in their time here. The girls today know that they have big shoes to fill. The girls are excited and those young ones that were here with Holly and Alana are now the leaders. Its fun to see the girls evolve. ... But its really hard losing both of those two.

Expected to step up and fill the leadership void are seniors Mackenzie Hailey, Madison Riley and Leecia DePaula, who were each all-district per-formers a year ago.

Theyre the core of the team right now, Newton said. Theyre going to have to step up and take on those leadership roles and get everyone else on the same page like they were last year and years before.

Several players, such as Mer-edith Alsburger, Madison Landers and Christine Griffin, are expected to fill into bigger roles than in previous years.

Alsburgers a sophomore setter, Newton said. Landers will be one of our right-side big players who I can also put at outside hitter. And with Chris-tine Griffin [next to Landers and Hailey], we have good size, but its just trying to get every-body to mesh and some players are having to learn new posi-tions.

Burleson opens the season at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday against Ste-phenville. The Lady Elks open District 8-5A play at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 12 at Crowley.

Lady Elks retool for another run

David Beans photoBurlesons Madison Landers will be one of several outside hit-ters needing to step up production after the graduation of three-time all-district and all-county MVP Holly Milam.

Burleson faces hurdle of replacing 2 cornerstone athletes

Volleyball 2014 5

Centennial eyes deepest run yet

By A.J. Crispsports@trcle.com

The Burleson Centennial Lady Spartans have set a goal of going farther in the post-season than any other team in the programs three-year history, and Coach Whitney Woody said she believes it can be done.

Centennial returns seven lettermen and four starters from last years team that fin-ished in third place in District 8-4A and the Lady Spartans will be led by a strong senior class this year.

Of course, our [first] goal is to make playoffs, Woody said. I know after talk-ing with the seniors, they want to go further than we ever have. Thats their goal. Theyre on a path right now with their leadership on this team to get there. Thats what they want. Their focus is there. We aspire to make play-offs and go further than Centennial ever has. We want to leave our mark on the volleyball world and be a team to be reckoned with.

While the Lady Spartans are determined to advance deeper than ever before, sim-ply making the postseason in arguably the toughest Class 5A volleyball district in the state will be a chore in itself. The UIL re-alignment dropped Waco High and Waco University and added yearly powerhouses in Aledo and Granbury. Six of the eight teams in District 8-5A made the playoffs last year.

It made what was already a tough dis-trict even tougher, Woody said. We have a ton of respect for all the teams in our district. What our goals are is to play the best match we can every night and to believe in our hearts that where theres a will, theres a way. When my dad used to coach me, hed always tell me theres always a way to beat someone, you just have to find it.

Knowing how tough those teams are all around, were just going to have to work re-ally hard and be that team that out-hustles. I told our girls were not going to win because of our size or our power, were just going to have to work harder. We have a lot of respect for all these teams. Were excited to play

them. I think its going to be great volleyball throughout district.

Senior setter Raygen Lee, senior outside hitter Madison Montgomery and senior middle blocker Bailey Douglas headline key returning starts.

I expect a lot of leadership because they are seniors for us, Woody said. Theyve been on the team now since their sophomore year. Raygens our setter. She ran the 5-1 the last two years. Madis been our outside hitter and a go-to for us last year and shell defi-nitely be one of those kids for us last year.

Bailey Douglas was on the team last year as a junior. She brings height. Shes a really good disciplined blocker. Shes a hard-work-ing kid. Shell bring heart and leadership thats going to be valuable.

Other returners include junior setter Hannah Batten, sophomore middle blocker Marissa Thompson, junior outside hitter Sam Pettijohn and junior defensive special-ist Paige Schatzmann.

I could talk about all of our returners because theyre going to play a key role, Woody said. Paige Schatzmann was moved up to varsity last year to towards the end of district. We had three senior defensive play-ers graduated last year, and we need someone to step in defensively in that spot and Paige is going to be one of our strong defensive play-ers.

The Lady Spartans open the season at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Chisholm Trail. Cen-tennials district opener is Sept. 12 against Cleburne.

Experienced Lady Spartans eager to become elite program

David Beans photoBurleson Centennial senior Raygen Lee (16) enters her third year as the Lady Spar-tans primary setter as she also is expected to provide a leadership presence.

6 Volleyball 2014

By A.J. Crispsports@trcle.com

The Cleburne Lady Jackets finished in second place in District 8-4A last sea-son, and matching or surpassing that feat in the newly formed District 8-5A will cer-tainly be a challenge.

A new district wont be the only change for Cleburne in 2014. The Lady Jackets have a new head coach and they will also be faced with replacing production from three all-district and all-county performers from a year ago.

Coach Holly Fish takes over control of the program following Jim Woods resigna-tion after a two-year tenure with the Lady Jackets.

Last year, the Lady Jackets were led in nearly every statistical category by Chey-enne Lytle, Brianna Reband and Holly Wood. Reband and Wood graduated in the spring and Lytle moved to Glen Rose, but despite those three key losses, Cleburne re-turns six lettermen and Fish is confident the Lady Jackets can win big this season.

The good thing about the team this year, I feel like while we may not be the tall-

est team or biggest dogs, weve got lots of athleticism and lots of people who can hit, Fish said. You never know who might be our star hitter for that night.

Returning starters include senior Erica Bonham, sophomore Kelsi Chavez, junior Hannah King and senior Kristen Reid. Junior MonTee Sorrells and senior Bailey Whitehead return from varsity action last year as well.

King was the defensive player of the year and Chavez the newcomer of the year in both all-district and all-county voting.

Hannah is going to step in and be an

David Beans photoCleburne junior Hannah King, left, and sophomore Kelsi Chavez (4) are two players new coach Holly Fish is depending on to emerge as leaders for the Lady Jackets this season. Both King and Chavez were all-district and all-county superlative performers in 2013.

A new era for Cleburne volleyball

New coach, new core, new district for Lady Jackets

Volleyball 2014 7

even bigger part of what were doing, Fish said. Shes the last line of defense but also in the middle when were in trouble I expect her to step in and help out.

Kelsi was used as an outside hitter and utility player last year. Im going to need her to con-tinue to be that utility player but be able to step in and play setter some. Ive got three girls who can set.Im going to need Kelsi to do whatever I ask her to do. Ericas going to be one of my other setters while Kristen and Kelsi are out [with minor injuries] right now. Shes really stepping into that setter role. Shes a pretty good all-around player. I will be utilizing her a lot this year.

Expected to join the return-ing six are five newcomers in sophomores Akarian Morgan, Catelin Gregory, Ashlynn Mc-Donald and Railey Rumohr (a Rio Vista move-in) along with junior Kelsie Nichols.

A new challenge facing Cle-burne this season will be lack of size. With Lytle and Reband last season, the Lady Jackets had de-cent size, but they will be rela-tively short compared to their 5A district opponents.

Weve got so many new people coming in and playing on the front row and were not tall, so blocking will be a weak-ness early on, Fish said. And being in the right spot on de-fense because a bunch of them are so young might be tough, too. It might take us some time, but well get it.

But on the flip side, Fish said a team strength will be quick-ness and speed.

The biggest strengths of the team are going to be our quickness and ability to adjust and anticipate, she said. Our anticipation is going to be key. Being that were not a tall team, obviously were not going to have big blocks, but were not going to let that defeat us. Were going to make it up with our defense.

With so much turnover from district, coaching and personnel

perspectives, the makeup of the team might also be different from recent seasons. Fish said hustle and precision will be a big focus t h i s y e a r , but the success of the team will come with how well theyre able to play defense.

I dont want to label us as just a scrappy team, but were

going to be one that goes all out for every single ball, Fish

said. Were going to work on target

passes so that our setter has every chance to have as many hit-ter op-tions as

possible so we can throw off the

other team. I think our key to success is going to be our defense. Thats what its going to

have to be. Not just the block but our people in the back. And being able to work in situational type things.

In District 8-5A, Waco High and Waco University were dropped and perennial powers Aledo and Granbury were add-ed. The past two years have been a tough fight for the playoffs and then playoff positioning between Burleson, Centennial, Cleburne, Crowley and Joshua. Adding two more contenders will make things even tougher.

Its really good competi-tion thats going to challenge everybody, Fish said. I think who has the heart and who has worked hardest to get there as well as whos the most mentally tough team will make it. Yes, youve got new two teams that are known well for their vol-leyball program [in Aledo and Granbury]. You see them and you know they can play vol-leyball and have some athletes. But at the same time, youve got Centennial, Cleburne, Burle-son, Joshua and Crowley, who may not have the same athletes, but you cant underestimate them. Its going to be a fight to the end.

The Lady Jackets reached the area round of Class 4A playoffs before losing to Trophy Club Byron Nelson. The goal is to surpass that, and Cleburnes team motto this season repre-sents that.

Were kind of talking about its our time, Fish said. Weve made the playoffs and all that good stuff, but getting rid of that midnight run and chang-ing a few things up here and there and building new tradi-tions, weve got a little thing Now. Period. When are we going to turn things up? Now. Period. When are we going to work hard? Now. Period. The time is now, we cant wait any-more.

Cleburne opens the season at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Fort Worth Southwest. The Lady Jackets District 8-5A opener is Sept. 12 at Burleson Centen-nial.

David Beans photoCleburne senior Kristen Reid was the Lady Jackets primary set-ter last year. She will continue to play an integral role this year.

8 Volleyball 2014

By A.J. Crispsports@trcle.com

Godley Coach Todd Weese said this years version of the Lady Cat volleyball team could be one of the best teams in his 12 years at the helm.

But this year also figures to be a challenging one for the Lady Cats after moving up to Class 4A following UILs bien-nial realignment. Godley is in District 7-4A with Alvarado, Diamond Hill-Jarvis, Kenne-dale and Venus.

We dont really know that much about our expectations right now because us moving up a class is kind of unknown for us, Weese said. We dont know what to expect. We know pretty much what our district opponents are going to be like because weve played some of them the past few years. Ken-nedale is always tough. Theyll probably be the team to beat in our district. Alvarado had a good team last year. And then its Venus and Diamond Hill.

Weese said he expects his Lady Cats to advance to the postseason again, but reaching last years berth in the regional quarterfinals will be more chal-lenging this time around.

I hope that well be able to make the playoffs, but once we get out of our district, I dont know what to expect, he said. I know our region is tough. Once you get in the playoffs, its going to be a lot tougher in 4A. Once you get through bidistrict and area, I think things will get a lot tougher a lot faster against

bigger classes. ... We have the potential to

be one of the best teams weve had since Ive been at Godley, but its also going to be tough because of the compe-tition, too. Its going to be inter-esting.

T h e Lady Cats bring back the majority of last years re-gional quarterfinalist team, mi-nus two key pieces Courtney Traylor and Kasey Richardson, both all-district and all-county performers.

Were going to miss Court-neys leadership, Weese said. She really provided a lot of leadership for us last year as a

senior setter. Were go-ing to miss Kasey and the good job blocking for us in the middle last year. Shes a really good kid to have on your

team. Well definitely miss both of them.

But the Lady Cats return a roster full of talent, led by se-nior Jaci Smith, an all-state player and the all-district and

all-county MVP last year.We expect a lot out of her,

Weese said. Hitting, serving, defense, leadership we expect all of those things out of her.

Other key returners include seniors Stacy Huckaby and Leanna James, junior Chey-enne Barnes and sophomores Sydnee Schofield and Makaila Tyer. Meanwhile, two newcom-ers are expected to step up and fill the vacant roles left by Tray-lor and Richardson sopho-more setter Lindsay Lummus and junior middle blocker Han-nah Stoy.

The Lady Cats open the season at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at home against Dallas Life. God-leys District 7-4A opener is Sept. 30 against Venus.

Talented Lady Cats face challenge of move to 4ACoach says 2014 has potential to be Godleys most talented team

Steven Hiser photoGodley senior Jaci Smith (6) was an all-state performer and the all-district and all-county MVP last season. Coach Todd Weese has high expectations for Smith and the rest of the Lady Cats.

We have the potential to be one of the best teams

weve had since Ive been at Godley...

Coach Todd Weese

Volleyball 2014 9

By A.J. Crispsports@trcle.com

For the fourth time in the previous four seasons, the Grandview Lady Zebras have a new head coach. This time, however, there is familiarity with the new head coach.

Jesilyn Hatch, who was an assistant last season, takes over following Christy Tates departure. Despite the turnover at the head coaching position, the Lady Zebras have maintained a level of success, reaching the playoffs six seasons in a row.

Im the fourth head coach for the se-niors, Hatch said. But Im not completely new to them. Its not a completely new sys-tem. We kind of co-coached the team last year because I have [seven years] of previous head coaching experience. Coach Tate and I agreed on a lot of stuff. So technically Im still teaching the same thing. Im not asking them to learn something completely differ-ent. I think they are adjusting to me better than other new head coaches because I was already here.

This season, the Lady Zebras are in a new and tougher district, which includes Brock, Glen Rose and Peaster, among oth-ers, but that isnt the only challenge awaiting the team. Several of Grandviews key players from a year ago Jade Rochelle, Kennedy Jentsch and Emily Sullivan have decided to give up volleyball to focus on basketball.

Thats their passion and love so they de-cided that was best for them, Hatch said. I understand that. They get to their junior and senior year and pick areas they want to focus on. Certainly its a loss for the team, but well fill in and Do what it takes as thats kind of our motto this year.

Key returning players, of which there are seven, include seniors Shelby Estep, Jordan Nash, Abby Reynolds and Kolbi Ruddock.

They have quite a bit of experience, Hatch said. Kolbi, Abby and Jordan were all front-row players and attackers for us last year. Theyre a big part of our offense. Shelby was our libero last year and she might be transitioning into a new role. We also have three other seniors who played front or back

row only last year who are going to step into bigger roles.

Hatch said the Lady Zebras aim is a play-off berth, and in a competitive District 11-3A, that will be a challenge.

I feel like we are a playoff caliber team and are capable of doing that in this district, Hatch said. Any time you put a team like Brock or Glen Rose in your district, its going to be a hard road. Its going to be tough but we definitely have a shot on any given night to compete with those teams and play well.

My expectations are for us to finish in that top 4 and make the playoffs. I cant guar-antee a district title right off the bat because it is a new district and we dont know those teams as well as last year. Our goal really is the playoffs. If we learned anything from last year, we were co-district champions in vol-leyball and lost the first round, but in softball we finished third or fourth and went deep in the playoffs. Its what you do in November and those games and matches.

Grandview opens the season at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Lorena.

Lady Zebras to encounter several changes this season

Courtesy photoGrandview senior Shelby Estep will be one of four returning seniors that Coach Jesilyn Hatch will rely on heavily in 2014.

10 Volleyball 2014

By A.J. Crispsports@trcle.com

After previously not making the play-offs for 31 years, the Joshua Lady Owls have now made back-to-back postseason appearances the past two seasons. Making it three in a row and then advancing is the goal for Coach Jennifer Henderson.

The Lady Owls finished in fourth place in District 8-4A last season and lost to Aledo in the bidistrict round. Now, Ale-do is a district foe along with Granbury, while Waco High and Waco University were dropped from District 8-5A after the UILs biennial realignment.

Our district is a very tough district, Henderson said. Im excited for the chal-lenges that it brings. Aledo knocked us out of the playoffs last year and Granbury went deep into the playoffs making the re-gional tournament and Burleson won our district last year.

Six out of the eight teams in our new district made the playoffs last year. We definitely have our work cut out for us, but I have all the confidence in the world in our girls. I believe they know exactly what they are up against and are prepared to take on the challenge.

The Lady Owls will look to the strength of eight returning starters and seven se-niors in their quest to make it three playoff appearances in a row.

I expect our seven seniors to step up into their leadership roles as seniors, Henderson said. I expect them to hold each other accountable and to work hard every time they step on the court.

Of those seniors expected to lead the way are setter Kailey Hicks, libero Bailey Kennedy, outside hitter and setter Ashley Brakel, middle blocker Calie Payne and defensive specialist Kenzie Cochran.

Brakel and Payne combine for a solid attacking duo after Brakel recorded 307 kills and Payne had 262 kills along with 88 blocks last season. Hicks led the Lady Owls with 581 assists and Brakel added 518 a year ago.

Joining the seniors to fill out the Lady

Owls varsity roster are Ariel Emory, Si-erra Cawley, Taylor Fielder and Kaylen Evans.

While Joshua is aiming for its third playoff berth, just getting to the postsea-son isnt good enough anymore.

Our goal every year is, of course, to make it to state, said Henderson, who enters her second year as the head coach. Our them this year is Paving our way

to state. We know its going to be a long road ahead, so we will just take it match by match. I expect the girls to work hard, stay mentally focused, hold each other ac-countable and especially have fun compet-ing in a game they love.

The Lady Owls begin the season at 11 a.m. at a dual against Azle and Decatur in Decatur. Joshuas district opener is Sept. 12 at Everman.

Joshua aiming for third playoff berth in a rowLady Owls not content with just making postseason anymore

David Beans photoJoshuas Kailey Hicks (5) and Calie Payne (10) have been key parts to the Lady Owls back-to-back playoff berths. Now, as seniors they will shoulder more of the load.

Volleyball 2014 11

By A.J. Crispsports@trcle.com

On a seemingly yearly ba-sis, the Keene Lady Char-gers face the same challenges on the volleyball court lack of size. And that challenge will again be a hurdle the Lady Chargers will have to clear this season while also facing a tougher district schedule.

The Lady Chargers, led by Coach Michelle Smiley-Connelly in her 11th year at Keene, are now in District 11-3A with Brock, Glen Rose, Grandview, Hillsboro, Mill-sap, Peaster and Rio Vista.

Its tough, Smiley-Con-nelly said. And it got a lot tougher [compared to the pre-vious district]. Some teams we might have had a chance to beat in our old district moved out and some teams that were going to have a hard time with moved in. The new district is definitely tough.

Despite the challenges of facing perennial playoff con-tenders such as Brock, Glen Rose, Grandview and Peaster, the Lady Chargers do have one advantage in their favor com-pared to recent years.

One thing we do have this year is experience, Smiley-Connelly said. I have more returning key players than Ive had in the past.

Several of those returning players expected to be primary contributors include seniors Zayda Gonzalez and Pey-ton Stephens, junior Eboni Smith and sophomore Mal-lory Stephens.

Gonzalez, an all-district and all-county performer, has been the Lady Chargers top

option the past two seasons.I expect her to provide

leadership and consistency, S m i l e y -Connelly s a i d . Shes a consistent server and consistent passer.

T h e Stephens s i s t e r s b r i n g some hit-ting power, court sense and hustle. They make us strong. And Smith, at middle blocker, was young last year. Hopefully this year, being a year older, shell provide a bigger impact.

While several district foes such as Brock and Glen Rose

have size as a strength of their team, that is where Keene comes up short. Most nota-

bly, the Tigers will be led by Cleburne m o v e - i n Cheyenne L y t l e , who, at 6-3, was a superla-tive award winner for the Lady

Jackets as a sophomore and a first-team performer the last two years.

Because of the height ad-vantage Smith at 5-10 is the Lady Chargers tallest play-er by far Keene will look to keep its strong digging game

in tact.Were definitely at a

height disadvantage, Smiley-Connelly said. Last year, we won three district games, so I would like to see us win four or five and just do the best we can with our height disadvan-tage.

We have to be able to dig because were not going to get as many blocks as other schools. So thats key is getting digs consistently. We have to be good passers. We have to be able to pass everything ac-curately and consistently. And we have to be solid in serve receive.

The Lady Chargers open the season at 2 p.m. Tuesday at home against Boyd. Keenes district opener is Sept. 12 at Hillsboro.

A.J. Crisp photoThe Keene Lady Chargers are led by, from left, Zayda Gonzalez, Mallory Stephens, Peyton Ste-phens and Eboni Smith.

Experienced Keene squad looks to be more competitiveLady Chargers to face tough task in new district

One thing we do have this year is experience. I have more returning key players than Ive had in

the past. Coach Michelle

Smiley-Connelly

12 Volleyball 2014

By A.J. Crispsports@trcle.com

Youthfulness can be both a positive qual-ity in some forms, but also a negative quality. For the Rio Vista Lady Eagles, find-ing the balance between youthfulness and inexperience will be key for their success in 2014.

Coach Rachell Pope returns five letter-men and three starters from last years team that went winless in district play. This sea-son, the Lady Eagles are quite young and in-experienced as Rio Vista is comprised of five sophomores, two juniors and two seniors.

The returners include sophomores Gab-bie Nunn, Kailey Reese and Grace Under-wood and seniors Jessica de los Santos and Keleigh Salazar. Newcomers expected to see playing time are sophomores Hannah Bridges and Jacie Matthews and juniors Makayla Mason and Hailey Webb.

The youth and inexperience may be good for the future of the program as the younger players garner valuable experience at the var-sity level, but that inexperience is always a struggle in the present.

That is going to be our struggle is were so young so were just inexperienced, Pope said. Theyre going to have to stick together and work through the growing pains. I think we can do it. If we have some success in the preseason and get a little bit of confidence going into district, I think we will be better.

Despite the inexperience and likely grow-ing pains, Pope said she still expects her team to compete for a playoff spot in a new and competitive District 11-3A with powers such as Brock, Glen Rose, Grandview and Peaster, among others.

I do have high expectations of them, Pope said. I dont care how young they are, I expect them to perform, bottom line. I want them to believe in themselves. Thats the same thing we struggled with last year. Its just taking some time. But theyre work-ing hard.

Going winless in district play last season

was certainly a challenge, but Pope said the Lady Eagles arent letting last years memo-ries stick around and they expect to be in a position to clinch a playoff berth.

We would like to be one of the top teams, but realistically well play for the fourth spot, she said. There are a few teams I know for certain we can compete with. I definitely want to give a good run for Brocks money and Peasters money. Theyre tough. Were going to be scrappy, work hard and have some heart.

Being put in a new district with teams such as Glen Rose and Hillsboro that were previously at the 3A level before the UILs

classification changes will be challenging be-cause of the lack of size Rio Vista has. Be-cause of the height disadvantage, Pope said the Lady Eagles will need to excel in other areas of the game, such as defensive quick-ness and being accurate with serve receive and passing.

Were going to have to be a quick team, Pope said. We dont have a whole lot of height. Were going to have to be a bet-ter passing team. We need that to be our strength.

The Lady Eagles open the season at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Castleberry. Rio Vistas District 11-3A opener is Sept. 12 against Grandview.

balancing youthfulness with inexperience key for rio vistaLady Eagles hope to take next step in rebuilding process

Cierra Johnson photoRio Vista sophomore Kailey Reese gained valuable experience as a freshman last year and will be one of the top threats for the Lady Eagles moving forward.

Volleyball 2014 13

Alvarado scheduleDATE OPPONENT TIMEAug. 12 Northside 11 a.m.Aug. 14, 16 Grandview Tournament TBAAug. 15 Poly Tech 11 a.m.Aug. 19 at Rio Vista 2 p.m.Aug. 22-23 Brewer Tournament TBAAug. 26 Everman 6 p.m.Aug. 28, 30 Southwest Tournament TBAAug. 29 Ferris 4:30 p.m.Sept. 2 at Trimble Tech 6:30 p.m.Sept. 5 at Arlington Heights 5:30 p.m.Sept. 9 at Blum 5:30 p.m.Sept. 12 Springtown 4:30 p.m.Sept. 16 Castleberry 6 p.m.Sept. 19 at Diamond Hill-Jarvis 5 p.m.Sept. 26 at Kennedale* 4:30 p.m.Sept. 30 Diamond Hill-Jarvis* 6 p.m.Oct. 3 Godley* 4:30 p.m.Oct. 7 at Venus* 6 p.m.Oct. 14 Kennedale* 6 p.m.Oct. 17 at Diamond Hill-Jarvis* 4:30 p.m.Oct. 21 at Godley* 6 p.m.Oct. 24 Venus* 4:30 p.m.Oct. 28 at Lake Worth 6 p.m.* District 7-4A match

Burleson scheduleDATE OPPONENT TIMEAug. 12 Stephenville 6:30 p.m.Aug. 15-16 Abilene Tournament TBAAug. 19 at Haltom 6:30 p.m.Aug. 21-23 Northwest Tournament TBAAug. 26 South Grand Prairie 6:30 p.m.Aug. 28, 30 Argyle Tournament TBASept. 2 Coppell 6:30 p.m.Sept. 5 Harker Heights 5:30 p.m.Sept. 9 at Argyle 6 p.m.Sept. 12 at Crowley* 5:30 p.m.Sept. 16 at Joshua* 6:30 p.m.Sept. 19 Everman* 5:30 p.m.Sept. 23 Centennial* 6:30 p.m.Sept. 26 Granbury* 5:30 p.m.Sept. 30 at Aledo* 6:30 p.m.Oct. 3 at Cleburne* 5:30 p.m.Oct. 7 Crowley* 6:30 p.m.Oct. 10 Joshua* 5:30 p.m.Oct. 14 at Everman* 6:30 p.m.Oct. 17 at Centennial* 5:30 p.m.Oct. 21 at Granbury* 6:30 p.m.Oct. 24 Aledo* 5:30 p.m.Oct. 28 Cleburne* 6:30 p.m.* District 8-5A match

Centennial scheduleDATE OPPONENT TIMEAug. 12 at Chisholm Trail 6:30 p.m.Aug. 14-16 Saginaw Tournament TBAAug. 19 Denton Guyer 6:30 p.m.Aug. 22-23 Granbury Tournament TBAAug. 26 at Keller Central 6:30 p.m.Aug. 29-30 Arlington Tournament TBASept. 2 Brewer 6:30 p.m.Sept. 5 Keller 6:30 p.m.Sept. 9 at Paschal 6:30 p.m.Sept. 12 Cleburne* 5:30 p.m.Sept. 16 Crowley* 6:30 p.m.Sept. 19 at Joshua* 5:30 p.m.Sept. 23 at Burleson* 6:30 p.m.Sept. 26 at Everman* 5:30 p.m.Sept. 30 Granbury* 6:30 p.m.Oct. 3 Aledo* 5:30 p.m.Oct. 7 at Cleburne* 6:30 p.m.Oct. 10 at Crowley* 5:30 p.m.Oct. 14 Joshua* 6:30 p.m.Oct. 17 Burleson* 5:30 p.m.Oct. 21 Everman* 6:30 p.m.Oct. 24 at Granbury* 5:30 p.m.Oct. 28 at Aledo* 6:30 p.m.* District 8-5A match

Cleburne scheduleDATE OPPONENT TIMEAug. 12 at Southwest 6:30 p.m.Aug. 15-16 Wimberly Tournament TBAAug. 19 Arlington Heights 6:30 p.m.Aug. 21-23 Glen Rose Tournament TBAAug. 26 Weatherford 6:30 p.m.Aug. 28, 30 Groesbeck Tournament TBASept. 2 Azle 6:30 p.m.Sept. 5 at Glen Rose 4:30 p.m.Sept. 9 Chisholm Trail 6:30 p.m.Sept. 12 at Centennial* 5:30 p.m.Sept. 16 Granbury* 6:30 p.m.Sept. 19 Aledo* 5:30 p.m.Sept. 23 Everman* 6:30 p.m.Sept. 26 at Crowley* 5:30 p.m.Sept. 30 at Joshua* 6:30 p.m.Oct. 3 Burleson* 5:30 p.m.Oct. 7 Centennial* 6:30 p.m.Oct. 10 at Granbury* 5:30 p.m.Oct. 14 at Aledo* 6:30 p.m.Oct. 17 at Everman* 5:30 p.m.Oct. 21 Crowley* 6:30 p.m.Oct. 24 Joshua* 5:30 p.m.Oct. 28 at Burleson* 6:30 p.m.* District 8-5A match

Godley scheduleDATE OPPONENT TIMEAug. 12 Dallas Life 5:30 p.m.Aug. 14-16 Grandview Tournament TBAAug. 19 at Dublin 6:30 p.m.Aug. 21-23 Gainseville Tournament TBAAug. 26 at Joshua 6:30 p.m.Aug. 28, 30 Groesbeck Tournament TBASept. 2 at Peaster 6:30 p.m.Sept. 5 Maypearl 4:30 p.m.Sept. 9 Glen Rose 6:30 p.m.Sept. 12 at Graham 4:30 p.m.Sept. 16 Mineral Wells 6 p.m.Sept. 19 Dublin 4:30 p.m.Sept. 23 Castleberry 6 p.m.Sept. 26 at Bridgeport 5 p.m.Sept. 30 Venus* 6 p.m.Oct. 3 at Alvarado* 4:30 p.m.Oct. 7 Kennedale* 6 p.m.Oct. 10 at Diamond Hill-Jarvis* 4:30 p.m.Oct. 17 at Venus* 4:30 p.m.Oct. 21 Alvarado* 6 p.m.Oct. 24 at Kennedale* 4:30 p.m.Oct. 28 Diamond Hill-Jarvis* 6 p.m.* District 7-4A match

Grandview scheduleDATE OPPONENT TIMEAug. 12 at Lorena 6 p.m.Aug. 14-16 Grandview Tournament TBAAug. 22 Maypearl 4:30Aug. 26 at Springtown 6 p.m.Aug. 28, 30 Argyle Tournament TBASept. 2 Kennedale 6 p.m.Sept. 5 at China Spring 4:30 p.m.Sept. 9 at Azle 6 p.m.Sept. 12 at Rio Vista* 4 p.m.Sept. 16 Brock* 5:30 p.m.Sept. 19 Keene* 4 p.m.Sept. 23 at Peaster* 5:30 p.m.Sept. 26 Millsap* 4 p.m.Sept. 30 Glen Rose* 5:30 p.m.Oct. 3 Hillsboro* 4 p.m.Oct. 7 Rio Vista* 5:30 p.m.Oct. 10 at Brock* 4 p.m.Oct. 14 at Keene* 5:30 p.m.Oct. 17 Peaster* 4 p.m.Oct. 21 at Millsap* 5:30 p.m.Oct. 24 at Glen Rose* 4 p.m.Oct. 28 at Hillsboro* 5:30 p.m.* District 11-3A match

Joshua scheduleDATE OPPONENT TIMEAug. 12 at Decatur 11 a.m.Aug. 15-16 Grapevine Tournament TBAAug. 19 at Glen Rose 4:30 p.m.Aug. 21-23 Glen Rose Tournament TBAAug. 26 Godley 6:30 p.m.Aug. 28, 30 Argyle Tournament TBASept. 2 TBD TBA.Sept. 5 Birdville 5:30 p.m.Sept. 12 at Everman* 5:30 p.m.Sept. 16 Burleson* 6:30 p.m.Sept. 19 Centennial* 5:30 p.m.Sept. 23 at Granbury* 6:30 p.m.Sept. 26 at Aledo* 5:30 p.m.Sept. 30 Cleburne* 6:30 p.m.Oct. 3 Crowley* 5:30 p.m.Oct. 7 Everman* 6:30 p.m.Oct. 10 at Burleson* 5:30 p.m.Oct. 14 at Centennial* 6:30 p.m.Oct. 17 Granbury* 5:30 p.m.Oct. 21 Aledo* 6:30 p.m.Oct. 24 at Cleburne* 5:30 p.m.Oct. 28 at Crowley* 6:30 p.m.* District 8-5A match

Keene scheduleDATE OPPONENT TIMEAug. 12 Boyd 2 p.m.Aug. 14-16 Venus Tournament TBAAug. 21-23 Keene Tournament TBAAug. 26 NCA at Crowley 6 p.m.Aug. 29 Venus 4:30Sept. 2 NCA 5:30 p.m.Sept. 12 at Hillsboro* 4 p.m.Sept. 16 at Rio Vista* 5:30 p.m.Sept. 19 at Grandview* 4 p.m.Sept. 23 Glen Rose* 5:30 p.m.Sept. 26 at Brock* 4 p.m.Sept. 30 Millsap* 5:30 p.m.Oct. 3 Peaster* 4 p.m.Oct. 7 Hillsboro* 5:30 p.m.Oct. 10 Rio Vista* 4 p.m.Oct. 14 Grandview* 5:30 p.m.Oct. 17 at Glen Rose* 4 p.m.Oct. 21 Brock* 5:30 p.m.Oct. 24 at Millsap* 4 p.m.Oct. 28 at Peaster* 5:30 p.m.* District 11-3A match

Rio Vista scheduleDATE OPPONENT TIMEAug. 12 at Castleberry 5 p.m.Aug. 15 at Blooming Grove 4:30 p.m.Aug. 19 Alvarado 5:30Aug. 21, 23 South Hills Tournament TBAAug. 22 at Springtown 6 p.m.Aug. 26 at Blum 6 p.m.Aug. 28, 30 Robinson Tournament TBASept. 2 Hillsboro 6:30 p.m.Sept. 9 at Maypearl 6:30 p.m.Sept. 12 Grandview* 4 p.m.Sept. 16 Keene* 5:30 p.m.Sept. 19 Brock* 4 p.m.Sept. 23 Hillsboro* 5:30 p.m.Sept. 26 at Glen Rose* 4 p.m.Sept. 30 at Peaster* 5:30 p.m.Oct. 3 at Millsap* 4 p.m.Oct. 7 at Grandview* 5:30 p.m.Oct. 10 at Keene* 4 p.m.Oct. 14 at Brock* 5:30 p.m.Oct. 17 at Hillsboro* 4 p.m.Oct. 21 Glen Rose* 5:30 p.m.Oct. 24 Peaster* 4 p.m.Oct. 28 Millsap* 5:30 p.m.* District 11-3A match

14 Volleyball 2014

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