6 minute read
Elmore County volleyball returns plenty of experience
By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor
The Elmore County volleyball team will try for its 13th consecutive area championships this year, and the Lady Panthers enter the 2022 season in a good position to achieve that goal.
Elmore County returns the bulk of its team from last season, including multiple All-Area players along with a large senior class that features 10 girls.
The Lady Panthers won 25 games last season and reached the Super Regionals, and they could make it even farther this season.
“I think we have a pretty good foundation to start this season with,” head coach Kim Moncrief said.
“There are some things we need to work on, but playing games will help with those. We’re excited to get started. Our experience is a great thing to have. We have some strong seniors and juniors who were all starters last year.”
The position group with the biggest losses from last season is the hitters. Senior Seanna O’Daniel graduated from last year, and All-Area player Ally Orr did not return for her sophomore season.
But the position group could
EDGEWOOD Continued from B1 be just as strong. They are led by Coranda Lozada, one of the most talented hitters across the entire state of Alabama. She recorded 212 kills last year.
She is joined by senior Lizzy Brown, who missed most of last year with an injury. She suffered a broken arm during the first weekend of the season and sat out. This year, she will play a massive role up front.
Strong setter Abbi Williams will also help there as she is left-handed and is a strong hitter on the right side of the court.
“Lizzy is going to be a force to be reckoned with,” Moncrief said. “Abbi does her job so well too. She’s only a junior, but we are expecting a lot from her as a setter and a hitter. We’re pretty happy with where we are up front.”
Williams isn’t the only talented setter on the team. Courtney Sides and Annabelle Orr are also both back this year. Sides was a starter and she is also doing some right side hitting, and Orr got significant playing time last season. All three setters will play heavy minutes.
On defense, Hailey O’Brien will be wearing the libero jersey again, but she isn’t the only talented defensive player on the court. Taylor Ann Eason will roam the back line with and he’s a really good athlete. They’re going to be in every game they play in because of him. They’re going to be really good.”
Ray did not play much quarterback last year as the Generals had Robert Rose leading the offense, but he still made plenty of plays for the offense.
As a receiver, he had seven catches for 117 yards and scored four times.
The Wildcats also have a playmaker leading the offense. Austin Champion returns for his senior year after starting all of last season and some of his sophomore season. Last season, he passed for over 2,200 yards and 28 touchdowns.
Champion isn’t the only returning starter for the Wildcats. They return six offensive starters and five defensive starters from last year’s team, and other plays who played a lot of meaningful snaps.
With 11 total starters returning, Michael is hoping his
O’Brien and both have the ability to dig any kill hit at them.
“Both of them saw so many reps last year when they split the position” Moncrief said. “Hailey wears the libero jersey, but both of them play the same amount of time. A lot of times you won’t recognize Taylor Ann but she’s extremely good. Having both of them back helps so much because they’ve seen so much and can read other team’s offenses.”
One point of emphasis that Moncrief is hoping to see improvement in is blocking at the net.
The team as a whole tallied 55 blocks last season, but Moncrief believes this team could add a few more. Madison Byram looks to be the main shot blocker, and will take on that role when she gets back from a small injury. She led the team with 16 blocks last year.
Morgan Spear and Allye Justiss will also take be big contributors on the defensive side of the net.
“Morgan has really stepped up this summer,” Moncrief said. “She’s not as tall as Madison, but she has a really good eye to read the hitters. Allye has had a lot of blocks this summer. All three middles kind of bring something different to the table so it will be interesting to see how we use them each game.” team can avoid the dreaded ‘first-game jitters’ and play a clean and solid game.
“We’re hoping that we’re prepared,” Michael said. “We hope we don’t see a lot of mistakes like you usually see in the first week. You want to cut down on mental mistakes. We have a good amount of kids returning, so hopefully we won’t see a lot of those mistakes and know what we’re doing.”
To find some success on offense, the Wildcats will need to find a new threat at wide receiver. Last year, Trevor Rodie served as that player for Edgewood as he pulled in 1,100 yards and 17 touchdowns.
The top returning receiver for Edgewood is Gabe LeMaster, and the senior had 16 catches for 264 yards and two touchdowns.
He looks to be a big play threat this season and will try to take over a larger scoring role.
“Gabe is the type of kid that we have to get touches. We have to get him 10 to 15 touches either through the air, handoffs, or screens. We have to get him the ball. He’s our dynamic guy on our team and we have to figure out ways to get him the ball in different situations.”
PUZZLES & HOROSCOPE
ARIES (March 21-April 19) Oh joy! Today you are full of marvelous, creative ideas! You’re keen to socialize and enjoy the company of everyone. Accept all invitations to party. Enjoy sports events and fun times with kids. You’re wearing your heart on your sleeve! Tonight: Party! TAURUS (April 20-May 20)
This is a great day to entertain at home and enjoy family gatherings. It’s also a lovely day to explore redecorating ideas or to shop for beautiful things for your home. Many of you will explore real estate ideas, either for speculation or personal use. Tonight: Entertain. GEMINI (May 21-June 20)
This is a wonderful, upbeat day! Today you have something to say, which is why you want to share your ideas. You’re full of positive energy, which makes conversations with others, especially siblings, relatives and neighbors, pleasant and invigorating! Tonight: Schmooze! CANCER (June 21-July 22) This is an excellent day for business and commerce. Look for ways to boost your income. If you’re negotiating a nancial deal, be condent that you can ask for a little more or expect the best, because you just might get it. If shopping, you’ll be pleased with your purchases. Tonight: Make money.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) This is a wonderful, powerful day for you, because the Moon is in your sign getting energy from Mars while it also dances with lucky Jupiter. (It doesn’t get much better than this.) Trust your good fortune. Rally your forces and set them marching! Tonight: You win! VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Two different inuences are at play for you today. One message urges you to seek solitude in beautiful surroundings and pamper yourself privately. The other message makes you want to go out and be seen and talk to everyone. Maybe you will do a bit of both. Tonight: Happy privacy. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) You are a social sign, and today is a fabulous day to socialize with others. In particular, you will enjoy time spent with friends as well as any kind of participation in groups, clubs, classes or conferences. You have lots of energy to interact with others, and you have something to say. Tonight: Enjoy friendships. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) You make a great impression on everyone today, which is good because people notice you today. In fact, some are discussing personal details about your private life. Fortunately, you are condent about whatever happens. You look good in your job! Enjoy work-related travel. Tonight: Take a bow.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Grab every chance to get away and do something different today. If you can travel, by all means, get outta Dodge. You will also be stimulated by the adventure of learning something new and meeting different people from other cultures. Do whatever you can to expand your world! Tonight: Explore!
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AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) This is a great day to work with others. You will enjoy talking to partners, close friends or members of the general public. You might attract someone who is energetic. It’s a great day to enjoy sports, the theater, luncheons, entertaining diversions and fun times with kids. Tonight: Be friendly. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) Relations with co-workers are excellent today. People are upbeat, warm and generous. Others will respond in a positive way to your positive energy by wanting to please you. (Certainly, they’ll listen.) You might see ways to boost your income or get a raise! Tonight: Travel.
