TALENTED WETUMPKA VOLLEYBALL ROSTER LOOKS TO TAKE NEXT STEP

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Wetumpka volleyball coach DeAnna Smith was disappointed with how early her team was eliminated from last year’s playoff run, but she believes her 2022 squad could be the team to make that next leap.

Wetumpka was eliminated in the first round of super regional play last year for the first time in years. The Lady Indians lost three seniors from last year’s squad, but return the majority of their starting rotation in 2022.

That includes All-Area players Julie Boshell and Madison Milton alongside Khloe Harris, who won the 2021 Player of the Year award.

With those returning players and some talented freshman joining the team, Smith is confident in the talents of her team entering the year.

“As far as talent wise, we are good,” Smith said. “This year is going to depend on their mindset and their want-to. You can teach them up all day long, but they have to have the desire and the heart to get there. But I do think we have all the right factors and talent to push through.”

Boshell, who was one of the team’s most versatile players last year, returns as one of the team’s setters. Her sister, Cheyenne, is the other team’s setter to start the year. Cheyenne is one of two freshmen who will start and play significant minutes.

The two sisters will be passing the ball to a very experienced group of hitters. Harris will continue to command the net after she recorded 326 kills last season.