NEW ALBANY VOLLEYBALL
Communication and cohesion are keys to new albany success
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ew Albany volleyball made it all the way to the 4A State Championship before falling to perennial powerhouse Vancleave in 2019, but the road back will be much different in 2020 as four key players are now gone. Maggie Moore, Rosalee Roberts and Janae Shackleford graduated while Greta Blakemore moved in the offseason. Coach Ashley Connolly starts her 11th year coach in high school volleyball and her second year with New Albany. She is ready to rebuild and rework the components to this year’s squad in attempts to win another division crown and revisit the playoffs. “We have a very blended group of girls this year,” Connolly said. “There will be some old faces and some new. We have been working on about five different rotations, depending on who our opponent will be.” Connolly returns four players that either started or saw significant playing time in 2019 and looks to these Lady Bulldogs to lead this year. “We will most definitely be looking to our two returning senior starters, Vakeria Jett and Alexis Mirfield to take control on offense,” Connolly said. “Masey Kate Adams is also very vocal as every setter should be and she has stepped up in that leadership role as a sophomore. Hannah Hughes has taken over the defensive role and is backed by a few new faces.” With so many unknowns about this year’s team, Connolly is hesitant to single out any players that she might view as a top offensive of defensive player. “I can’t say right now who our top players will be on either,” she said. “I know we are strong on both sides. It will depend on the game and our strategy.” New Albany will have several new faces on the varsity squad although they are not unknowns to their coach as they played under her in JV last
22 2020 Fall Sports Preview
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Ashley Connolly, who played collegiately at Mississippi State, led New Albany to the state finals in her first season with the Lady Bulldogs.
season. “We have a lot of newcomers to our line up,” Connolly said. “Some offensive and some defensive. This will most definitely be my first year of coaching where I sub more than usual.” New Albany will compete in Division 1-4A with Corinth, North Pontotoc, Ripley and Tishomingo County. Connolly hopes their nondivision matches will prepare them for the division grind. “Every non-division game is an opportunity to grow and learn from our mistakes,” she said. “I strongly believe in, the only way to get better is to play teams that are bigger and better than you. And when you beat them, that’s one step closer to your goal.” Even though the Lady Bulldogs will be missing some key faces that had been a part of two division titles and two playoff appearances, Connolly thinks her team is up to the
challenge. “I feel like this year will be a new year, new us kinda feel,” Connolly said. “We have new leadership and a new look about us, but it’s not a bad thing. I hope people underestimate us. “Our X factor is communication and cohesion. Without either any team is doomed to fail.” Adding to the work of a slight team rebuild in 2020 is the daily issue of having to deal with the coronavirus pandemic and all the health and safety precautions that must accompany those. Connolly and her team are keeping safeguards in place to help alleviate the spread. “We take every precaution necessary before, during and after practice,” Connolly said. “They go through the same temp checks and questions as every other athlete in our district. All CDC guidelines, orders from our government and MISSHAA guidelines are taken seriously and enforced.”
