Myrtle Volleyball

Photo courtesy of Brooke Gordon 2020 Myrtle Lady Hawks Volleyball: Front row left - Brooklyn Streich, Montana Nichols, Chloe Stewart, Kimber Brevard, Lauryn Smtihey. Middle row left - Kinzie Claire Waits, Breanna Smith, Sarah Kate Thompson, Amanda Watkins, Lexi Hutcheson, Kinsley Gordon, Kierstyn Shoops, Ashley Roark, Emma Mayer. Back row left - Nakiyla Jones, Elly Gaines, Kylee Hudson, Cora Beth Kelly, Emma Speck, Kelly Smith, Mollie Moody, Olivia Decanter, Harleigh Herring, Breanna Lewis, Courtney Page.

Lady Hawks still learning and improving their game

Coach Robert Gordon and his Myrtle Lady Hawks enter year two of volleyball which will also involve their first taste of division competition in Division 3-1A with HW Byers and Hickory Flat.

Gordon has a host of players returning with experience from 2019 although he might not classify them as veterans.

“Well, we have no veterans being a second year team, they have 14 or so games under their belt but I wouldn’t say they are veterans,” Gordon said. “Every day seems like we are still learning and trying to improve, like me as a new coach to this sport who is learning as well.”

While all those teams and coaches are learning a new game, the enthusiasm for players and fans alike has been overwhelming. Gordon will count on his upperclassmen to lead 26

his team on the court and help with the transition.

“Our seniors are obviously our team leaders, we are counting on them this year to help lead practices, and especially work with our young girls on techniques and fundamentals of the game,” Gordon said.

“We are counting on these people to be key contributors Amanda Watkins, Lexi Hutcheson, Sarah Kate Thompson, Kinsley Gordon, Kierstyn Shoops, Breanna Smith, Kinzie Waits, Mollie Moody, Emma Mayer, Cora Kelly, Harleigh Herring , Olivia Decanter, Kelly Smith, Emma Speck and Elly Gaines among other underclassmen who are working hard and getting better daily. We have four girls from last year that played but due to virtual learning at home will not be able to play, while we had a few who decided not to play.”

Myrtle experienced the same issues regarding their practices as did the other school due to the coronavirus which could have benefitted with practices that improved their game.

“Due to the covid pandemic we were unable to practice this summer and work on the much needed skills and fundamentals we needed to improve before our upcoming season,” Gordon said. “Right now, everyday, we are working on getting our bodies in position to be more efficient passers, trying to have better foot work, communicate with teammates and trying to be as mechanically sound as we can being a second year team. Last year in varsity we didn’t sub very much due to the fact we were trying to create team chemistry. This year we will be able to sub players who can fill the roles of serving, digging, hitting, and setting.”