Teams around the state will hit the field, court and course Monday as the 2020 fall season gets underway.
This is our first story in a series previewing the upcoming fall sports. Over the next several days, cross country, volleyball, soccer and football will be highlighted. Volleyball is the next story in the series.
The Owensboro Catholic Lady Aces cruised through the 9th District Tournament a year ago, sweeping Owensboro and Apollo en route to the title. Catholic then did the same thing during the 3rd Region Tournament as it took down Breckinridge County 3-2 in the final to secure its spot in the KHSAA Volleyball State Tournament. The Aces won their first match 3-2 over Campbell County before falling to North Oldham 3-0.
The Aces finished 7-1 in the district (27-11 overall) as the E-gales of Apollo were right behind them at 25-13 with a 5-3 record in the district. Daviess County (19-10, 3-4) and Owensboro (13-22, 0-7) will look to emerge from the bottom half of the district this season.
Apollo – Head coach MaryAnne Howard
What’s your outlook for the season?
We are very excited to have the opportunity to get to play this season. We have a large number of juniors and seniors on this year’s team who have been playing together for many years. They are very hungry to have a successful season and want to establish themselves as one of the top teams in the district and region.
Who are your key returners?
We have many returning starters in the back row on defense this year: Anslee Hopewell (sr. DS), Camryn Kerwick (Sr. DS), Abby Spong (Sr. DS). Also, we also have some key starters returning at the net in Brylee Rhodes (Sr. MH), Tallie Satterfield (Sr. MH), and Maddi Boswell (Jr. Setter/Right Side).
Any newcomers that could make an impact?
We are looking for Havannah John (Jr. OH) and Aliyah Carwile (Jr. OH) to be impact players for us at the net this season. Also, setter Allie Hargitt (Jr.) and right side Allie Fulkerson (Sr.) will be called upon to be key players as well this year.
What is something you’ve noticed your team needs to work on?
An area our team is working to improve in is transitioning during gameplay. With not being able to do any intra-squad drills or game situation scrimmaging during the summer, we are having to get game-ready as best we can during these two weeks.
What do you need to do to be successful?
To be successful this season we are going to need the girls to be able to think a step ahead while playing and be able to build momentum and maintain it throughout our matches.
How has COVID-19 changed the way you prepared for the season?
It greatly changed what we do over the summer to prepare for the season. We normally go to camps and play a lot of matches over the summer and preseason. This year we have much less time to prepare for the season. But we are happy for the opportunity to safely get out on the floor and represent Apollo this volleyball season.
Daviess County – Head coach Tyla Bailey
What’s your outlook for the season?
We remain hopeful and make the most of every opportunity we are given to be in the gym.
Who are your key returners?
There are several key returners for the Panthers this season: Kloee Phelps (Senior, DS/OPP), Elizabeth Moore (Senior, OH), Kendal Goetz (Senior, Libero), Jasmine Beasley (Senior, MH), Ryann Keller (Senior, Setter), Amber Wallace (Senior, DS) and Kayla Clark (Junior, DS) will all contribute in big ways for DC.
Any newcomers that could make an impact?
Along with the returners, Daviess County’s Josie Newcom (Sophomore, OH), Lexi Owen (Sophomore, Setter), Adylan Ayer (Sophomore, MH), Kaylee Garrison (Sophomore, DS) and Mary-Grayce Hill (Sophomore, OPP/S) are all new to the Panther lineup.
What is something you’ve noticed your team needs to work on?
I have been very pleased with the way our team shows up each and every morning. Our seniors are really doing a great job of leading by example and remaining positive, even during times of uncertainty. Effective communication is always an area we try to strengthen; as well as serve-receive.
What do you need to do to be successful?
In order to be successful, we must stay focused and perform with intention — not take anything for granted. The girls have the skills and abilities to do big things.
How has COVID-19 changed the way you prepared for the season?
COVID has thrown various challenges and things have been different from past seasons. The first couple months, we kept everything virtual. Typically, by this point, we are playing multiple matches each week and going to tournaments. This year that obviously isn’t the case as several tournaments and games have been cancelled due to COVID. However, we deal with each scenario and move forward the best we can. Our players and families have been great to make accommodations and put the safety of our team first. We can’t wait to get started and remain hopeful for a great season!
Owensboro – Head coach Melissa Hibbs
What’s your outlook for the season?
Owensboro High School is really looking forward to getting this official season started. One of the major difficulties with COVID-19 has been allowing the team to truly mesh on the court. We have a pretty close knit group and they get along well off the court but with the KHSAA guidelines, we basically have two weeks to get them to gel well on the court to be ready for your first match. We are replacing three seniors from last year, so finding the right fit for the team and speeding up the pace of the game for newcomers takes some time. With the guidelines though, in the past few weeks we have got to slow down the pace and break down some fundamentals for individuals. Breaking down the fundamentals and really fine tuning some of the skills will make a major difference come match time. Our senior group led an accountability system constantly checking in with underclassmen to make sure they were conditioning when we couldn’t get together. They would FaceTime workouts or send each other videos to challenge one another. With being limited on summer workouts, this group has really come back hungry and determined to succeed. They have been more intense in practice and are really challenging each other. To be successful this season, we will need to bring this same type of energy and motivation to each practice and match.
Who are your key returners (please specify year and position)
Most of our returners have played together for a few years now. Having this core group to lead will be valuable this season as they have consistently improved each year playing together. We are really looking to get a lot out of our senior group. All three have seen varsity starting roles since their freshman season. They truly have the grit and tenacity to lead this team and end their high school career on a high note.
Krystell Pappas (Sr. S/OH) is coming off a very strong 2019 season. Her offseason workouts will be evident in her play as well as her high IQ for the game. Lainey Hayden (SR, MB/RS) can block and her swing will be vital to our success this season. She has worked on diversifying her game as she hopes to compete at a high leve. Jersie Rhineburger (L), the only way to describe Jersie is a gamer. No ball will hit the floor without her going after it.
Rounding out our varsity is a strong group of returners (Mia Covington, Kennedy Thompson, Brooklyn Williams). This group is young but has really gained a sense of confidence the past couple years that I believe you’ll see in their play.
Any newcomers that could make an impact?
Although not new to our team, young players to watch for there are several players to watch out for. Freshmen Chase Mather, Hannah Ashley and Addie McDaniel, along with sophomore Mackenzie Biddle will all contribute this season.
What is something you’ve noticed your team needs to work on?
As a team, we will need to continue to work on consistency and aggressiveness. Our senior group will have to lead the young girls on the court with them. Last year, OHS volleyball was injury-ridden, so some of our young players were able to see some court time which will be valuable as some will need to fill starting roles this season.
Owensboro Catholic – Head coach Brian Hardison
What’s your outlook for the season?
Our team is hoping to repeat at region and return to state, but it will be a difficult task because every team in our district is solid!
Who are your key returners?
Madeline Castlen is one of my middle hitters that is a tough return along with my libero Jenna Glenn. Middle hitter Cate Sights and right side Allie Hamilton will also contribute as Hamilton is returning from a knee injury.
Any newcomers that could make an impact?
I have several new varsity players that will make an impact. My starting senior setter Lilly Farmer is doing a good job and will get help from two younger setters as well.
What do you need to do to be successful?
We need to work as a team to be successful. Our whole game needs improvement.
How has COVID-19 changed the way you prepared for the season?
The virus has changed everyone’s approach to the season and life in general. With so many changes it has made scheduling a nightmare.
Trinity – Head coach Daniel Morris
What’s your outlook for the season?
We, at Trinity, have a pretty promising outlook for this season. Although we have quite young players on the roster, I expect us to compete with the best of them.
We have worked really hard through this pandemic with lots of strength and conditioning exercises. Just like everyone else in the state, practicing together was not as simple as it usually is. As much as you just want to throw your kids out on the floor and have them play the game, it was never that simple with all the different protocols and safety restrictions that this pandemic forced our government to have on these sports.
Who are your key returners?
We have several key players who had some varsity experience last year that will be returning this year. Jenna McDowell (Senior, Middle Blocker), Hannah Nash (Freshmen, Outside Hitter), Josie Aull (Sophomore, Setter), and Corli Mills (Junior, Middle Blocker) are going to be our key front row players that get our offense going in games. Abby Payne (Sophomore, Defensive Specialist), Taylor Pedley (Junior, Libero), Bailey Millay (Junior, Defensive Specialist), are going to be our key players that produce a strong defense.
Another key player from last year was Cassidy Morris (Junior, Outside Hitter). Unfortunately she is not available to play this year because she is recovering from an ACL injury she sustained last year in the basketball season. This is where Georgia Howard is going to come in as a strong key player this year.
Any newcomers that could make an impact?
We are also going to have some newcomers to the varsity team that will be great additions to our roster. Georgia Howard (Freshmen, Outside Hitter) and Sarah Payne (8th Grade, Defensive Specialist) are two youngsters that have worked hard and performed quite well so far into the season.
What is something you’ve noticed your team needs to work on?
This year we have stressed about our strength and conditioning exercises. In last year’s season, we were the team that would compete strongly at the beginning of the match, but fade off and become tired as it went on.
How has COVID-19 changed the way you prepared for the season?
As a second-year coach, I am so excited about finally beginning this season. I honestly feel like a kid at Christmas time and just want to finally get going. With everything going on in our world today, this is exactly what our kids and fans need again. Sports and extra activities are that one piece of the puzzle that puts our world together, especially here in Kentucky.
