Johnson County Volleyball 2013

Volleyball 2013 Sunday, August 11, 2013 Page 1
Volleyball 2013 1
1
2013 Johnson County
VOLLEYBALL
2012 Johnson County
VOLLEYBALL
Alvarado Burleson Centennial
Cleburne Godley Grandview Joshua
Keene Rio Vista
A sneak peak into the upcoming volleyball season,
including schedules, photos and previews.
A special supplement to the Cleburne Times-Review
Page 2 Volleyball 2013 Sunday, August 11, 2013
2
Johnson County Volleyball 2013
is a publication of the
Cleburne Times-Review
Publisher Kay Helms
Managing Editor Dale Gosser
Design/Layout A.J. Crisp
Sports Editor A.J. Crisp
Contributing Photographers David Beans
Steven Hiser
Cierra Johnson
Advertising Kay Helms, Mgr.
Advertising executives Eric Faught
Tammy Kay
Lisa Russell
Graphics/cover Ashley Garey
817-645-2441
Fax: 817-645-4020
108 S. Anglin St.
Cleburne, Texas
P.O. Box 1569
Cleburne, TX 76033
News Editor
editor@trcle.com
Sports Editor
sports@trcle.com
Classifieds
classad@trcle.com
Online
www.cleburnetimesreview.com
While football is king in
Texas, the volleyball scene in
Johnson County is one of the
more competitive counties
in the area. And if the 2013
volleyball season for Johnson
County comes close to match-
ing last year, local fans are in
for a real treat.
Six of the countys nine
teams made the postseason in
2012: Alvarado, Burleson, Bur-
leson Centennial, Cleburne,
Grandview and Joshua. And
all six of those teams expect
a return trip to the playofs,
while the other three teams
Godley, Keene and Rio Vista
have high aspirations of
returning to the playofs.
Perhaps one of the more in-
triguing storylines of 2012 was
the District 8-4A race between
Burleson, Cleburne and Joshua
as all three teams battled for
the district crown before the
Lady Elks came out on top by
one game over Joshua. All three
teams graduated key players,
but all three teams also return
several important pieces, while
Centennial is expected to be
improved as well.
Te Alvarado Lady Indians
clinched a playof berth last
season for the frst time in a
decade, and with the majority
of the team returning in 2013,
a playof berth isnt the goal
anymore, its the expectation.
Godley, which had previ-
ously made the playofs for
several seasons in a row, barely
missed out on the postseason
last year, and the Lady Cats are
determined to get back there.
Keene and Rio Vista, two
programs that have struggled
in recent years, return plenty
of experience and hope to grow
during their nondistrict slate in
order to compete for a playof
spot once district starts.
Grandview graduated a
good portion of last years
squad, but the Lady Zebras
still have their sights set on a
playof run.
Burleson, Grandview,
Joshua and Rio Vista all have
new head coaches this season,
so it will be interesting to see if
those teams look diferent on
the court under new leader-
ship.
Not only are the teams in
the county top-notch, but
local individuals continue to
impress.
Cleburne brings back
Brianna Reband, the all-county
and all-district blocker of the
year, and Cheyenne Lytle, last
years newcomer of the year.
Reband, in her senior season, is
expected to be one of the focal
points of the Lady Jackets
attack this season and is one of
the best multi-skilled players in
the area. Lytle had a breakout
season as a sophomore last year,
and she will shoulder more
responsibility as a junior in
2013.
Burleson returns the two-
time all-county and all-district
MVP in Holly Milam, one of
the best players in the region.
Te Lady Elks also return all-
district setter Alana Hughes.
And there are even more
quality players in the county,
including Rio Vistas Han-
nah Kamphaus, Joshuas Calie
Payne, Grandviews Jade Ro-
chelle and Keenes Jenna Bulles
While Friday nights in the
fall typically belong to the foot-
ball feld, make sure and catch
these ladies in action every
Tuesday night. Varsity vol-
leyball matches on Friday also
begin well before kickof on the
gridiron, so show your support
at the end of the week, too.
A.J. Crisp
Sports editor
Johnson County volleyball among the best
3
By Tommy Brown
aisd information officer
A
fter reaching the playoffs for the
first time in 10 years last season, Al-
varado Head Volleyball Coach Jill Barkey
is anxious to find out what her team of
seven returners and nine seniors can do
as an encore.
It took less than three days of practice
for her to realize how special the upcom-
ing season can potentially be.
Between the experience we had last
year and the number of girls we have
back, they feel like this is their year
like they own it, Barkey said. Its going
to be exciting to see what this group can
accomplish.
One stark difference this year is the
level at which the 2013 Lady Indians are
beginning. Reaching the playoffs is no
longer a goal, but an expectation.
Because we lost so few girls, the ex-
pectations are a lot higher than they were
a year ago, Barkey said. We want to
beat Glen Rose, play better against Ste-
phenville and even take a game from
them. Those are things that in the past,
Im not sure we could set as a realistic
goal.
I dont want to hear our girls talking
about making the playoffs, that is a given.
Were either talking about first or second
in district and what were doing after we
win our first round playoff game. Expec-
tations have changed.
Despite the seven returners and nine
seniors, there are a few question marks
surrounding the Lady Indians. The big-
gest is the fact that the players who did
graduate had a big part in clogging the
middle of the floor last year and their
height will be hard to replace.
We are going to be shorter, no doubt,
Barkey said. Defensively well have a
lot of the same kids, its just a matter of
adjusting our blocking and defense when
the other team is hitting at us.
Were adjusting our technique on
a lot of things and after just three days,
some of the things they are doing we have
never taught before. Its exciting to see.
While the team doesnt lack confi-
dence, Barkey admitted there is still some
growing that needs to be done in terms of
how to beat top-tier teams.
Our biggest problem, and this even
happened in summer ball, is that even
when were beating a team were not
supposed to beat we tend to play scared,
she said. My No. 1 goal right now is to
teach them not to do that. If were going
down it isnt going to be because we were
scared, if we go down were going down
swinging.
Alvarado opens its season Tuesday at
Northside. The Lady Indians begin Dis-
trict 7-3A play Oct. 1 against Stephen-
ville.
Expectations sky high for Lady Indians
After 1st playoff berth in
10 years in 2012,
playoffs are now the
expectation in Alvarado
Tommy Brown/Special to the CTR
Kenzie Shelfer, left, and Chelsea Brackin go up high for the ball during practice for the
Lady Indians, who have high expectations heading into 2013.
By A.J. Crisp
sports@trcle.com
T
he Burleson Lady Elks are
no strangers to deep play-
off runs after back-to-back ap-
pearances in the Class 4A re-
gional playoffs. But something
new to the Lady Elks this sea-
son will be their head coach.
Coach Aubrey Short takes
over for DAnna Newton, but
the Lady Elks still maintain
high aspirations.
In 2012, the Lady Elks ad-
vanced to the regional semif-
nals, where they fell to Dumas
in fve sets. In 2011, Burle-
son advanced to the regional
quarterfnals before falling to
Aledo. Shorts goal is to help
take Burleson at least one step
further in 2013.
We have very high expec-
tations, Short said. Were
looking at going deep into the
playoffs. Im expecting us to
go out and win the district, and
thats always the expectation.
While Cleburne and Joshua,
the two teams who fnished
right on Burlesons heels in
District 8-4A last season, lost
several key players from a
year ago, Burleson returns sev-
eral playmakers, including last
years district and county MVP
Holly Milam.
Along with Milam, Alana
Hughes and Mackenzie Hai-
ley, among others, returns.
Hughes was the districts set-
ter of the year and both Hughes
and Hailey were all-county se-
lections.
Im expecting them to
be the foor leaders and off-
the-court leaders, Short said.
Theyre going to be the ones
that are taking charge of the
game.
Short said she has coached
few players of Milams ability,
and said she expects Milam to
be a solid leader and player for
the Elks her senior season.
Ive had girls of similar tal-
ent, but at different positions,
Short said. She is defnitely a
great athlete and a great volley-
ball player. With her attitude
and intensity, she is top of the
line.
Short said the frst few days
of practice were going great
and she was pleased with the
work ethic the team has shown
As is the case with every
new coach, a period of learn-
ing has to be endured. Short is
still learning her players and
her players are still adapting
to Short, but she said there
wont be too many differences
between what fans saw on the
court last year compared to
what they should expect this
season.
Theres not going to be a
lot of changes because theres
not a whole lot you can change
with good athletes like this,
she said. Theres not going
to be a whole lot of changes,
just mostly some fne tuning in
some areas.
Short said she is an offen-
sive-minded coach, but for
Burleson to reach its goals this
season, the Lady Elks will need
to be just as solid defensively.
Defense is a huge part of
the game and thats obviously
important, but when you take
control of the game offen-
sively, thats important, Short
said. Well be a mix of both
offensive and defensive mind-
ed, but well be highly offen-
sive.
There is no question about
how much talent or experience
Burleson possesses, and Short
said with those things taken
care of, chemistry is going to
be a key factor this season.
I think that the team unity
is going to be really impor-
tant, she said. These girls are
pushing each other and helping
each other out. Our leaders are
taking charge and showing the
younger girls how it works.
Burleson went 32-9 over-
all and 13-1 in district play in
2013. The Lady Elks open the
season Aug. 13 at Stephenville.
Burlesons frst district game is
Tuesday at Joshua.
4
Taking the next step
New coach
hopes to get
Lady Elks
past regionals
David Beans/Special to the CTR
Burlesons Holly Milam (10) is the two-time All-Johnson County
and district MVP.
5
COLONIAL MANOR
NURSING CENTER
A skilled team of physical, occupational and speech therapists evaluate the rehabilitation needs of each person and
designs an outcome-oriented treatment program. They specialize in progressive rehabilitation and are qualifed to
treat a variety of conditions including neurological, orthopedic and post surgical complications.
Occupational Therapy
Sensory Training & Motor Function
Development
Cognitive Training Program
Teaching Program for Activities of Daily
Living & Self-Care Skills
Restorative Dining Program
Assist with use of Orthopedic Devices
& Adaptive Equipment
Home Safety Evaluation
Physical Therapy
Tens, Ultrasound, Electrical Stimulation & Whirlpool
Gait Training & Therapeutic Exercise Program
Stroke & Orthopedic Rehabilitation Programs
Pain Management & Symptom Control
Speech Therapy
Memory, Judgment and Safety Training
Auditory & Visual Attention Training
Verbal & Non-Verbal Redevelopment Communication
Identifcation & Treatment of Swallowing Diffculties
Medicare - Medicaid - Private Pay - Insurance
817-645-9134 / 2035 N. Granbury St., CIeburne TX / www.coIoniaImanorcIeburne.com
7YTTSVXW
.SLRWSR'SYRX]
:SPPI]FEPP
6
By Zack Cunningham
special to the ctr
R
egarding its girls athletic programs, Bur-
leson Centennial has eased into the tran-
sition of playing at the Class 4A level, and the
same can be said of the Lady Spartans vol-
leyball program.
After a playoff berth in the schools frst
varsity season as a Class 3A squad in 2011,
Centennial returned to the playoffs last year
with its frst senior class and lost to Aledo in
the frst round.
Head Coach Whitney Johansen is in her
second season with the Lady Spartans and
said while the roster is still being fnalized,
Centennial has a great shot at returning to the
postseason and continuing the positive direc-
tion of the program.
I wasnt coaching the frst two seasons
the school was built and have only been with
it for one season, she said. I feel all the
preparation which has gone into making it
this far has served its purpose. The technical
and physical talents that each of our girls have
really refect their work ethic and determina-
tion.
The experiences they have endured over
the last few years have shaped and molded
them into really well-rounded volleyball
players.
Centennial returns liberos Katie Rebrov-
ich and Courtney Fernandez along with hit-
ters Macey Albracht, Sydney Cox, Sarah
Manning and Haley Morris, who also plays
middle blocker. Toni Maxfeld is another re-
turning middle blocker for Centennial.
Albracht, Fernandez, Rebrovich, Cox and
Maxfeld are all seniors.
Everyone played an important role last
season, Johansen said of the Lady Spartans,
who fnished 8-6 in their inaugural District
8-4A campaign. We had to pull together ev-
ery single day to improve individually and as
a team. The biggest change this year will be
losing the senior captains.
We have an amazing group of seniors
who are bringing leadership of their own and
hoping they can show our underclassmen how
to push past the frst round of the playoffs.
Centennial fnished 23-18 last year and
did so under the leadership of seniors Brenna
Moretz, Lawren Phillips, Olivia Chapman,
Alison Shelton and Courtney Colomo.
Johansen said the landscape of 8-4A hasnt
gotten any easier and with perennial power
and rival Burleson involved, the playoffs are
no easy task.
Our district competed very well last sea-
son and with the talented coaches and athletes
we have, I expect this year to be even more
competitive, she said. Of course the rivalry
with Burleson is in the back of our minds. In-
ter-city rivalries make it fun and high energy
for the schools and community.
They are another hurdle in our race for
the playoffs and theyre another opportunity
for our athletes to compete at a high level.
Centennial opens the season Tuesday at
Ranchview and the Lady Spartans frst Dis-
trict 8-4A game is Sept. 13 at Everman.
Toni Maxfield (11) returns for her senior season for the Lady Spartans in 2013, but Cen-
tennial must replace a strong senior class from 2012, including Lawren Phillips (4).
Centennial program off to solid start
Lady Spartans look
for third straight
playoff berth in 3rd
year of existence
v7
Lady Jackets eye district title
By A.J. Crisp
sports@trcle.com
A
fter the 2012 season came
to a disappointing end for
the Cleburne Lady Jackets in a
straight-set loss to Granbury in
the bidistrict round of Class 4A
playoffs, Coach Jim Woods ex-
pectations for the 2013 season
werent high.
The Lady Jackets were los-
ing all-district and All-Johnson
County offensive player of
the year in Kendall Jones and
frst-team all-district and All-
Johnson County setter of the
year Hillary King to graduation.
Both were team leaders and two
of Cleburnes most productive
players on a team that fnished
only two games behind District
8-4A champion Burleson.
But as the offseason work-
outs and summer and club
leagues progressed, Woods
expectations for his 2013 Lady
Jackets have continued to rise.
At the end of last season,
just trying to fgure out who can
play what, I was just initially
thinking we would struggle to
make the playoffs, Wood said.
But now, after watching the
girls in club, watching them in
offseason, watching them in
summer league, were play-
ing well. My expectations are
extremely high right now com-
pared to after last year.
I think district isnt out of
our reach. If we click and come
together like I think we can,
its right there. We have to go
through Burleson and Joshua,
and Centennial is going to be
rough, but I think those are win-
nable for us. If the girls can un-
derstand that its attainable, and
weve talked about beating Bur-
leson and going through them,
were thinking about winning
district. Not just making the
playoffs, but winning district.
And then not just going into the
playoffs and be one and done,
but winning some games in the
playoffs.
This season marks Woods
second year as the Cleburne
head volleyball coach, and the
start to this season has already
been a much smoother process
as opposed to last year.
Were able to do more team
stuff instead of having to go
through individual skill after
individual skill learning my sys-
tem, he said. Now were able
to do more team-oriented stuff
because we can refresh a little
bit and go right into it without
having to learn a whole new
system.
Despite the losses of Jones
and King, as well as Abby Zach-
ary, Wood said he believes the
Lady Jackets can be even better
in 2013.
Losing such a great leader
as Hillary and an outstand-
ing outside hitter as Kendall is
tough to replace, but I think we
might even be a little better be-
cause we might be a little more
team oriented on offense, he
said. I think well have a more
balanced offense instead of re-
lying so much on one or two
players. Well be able to rely
on several players and any girl
can step up on any given night
instead of expecting one or two
players to carry the load.
Instead of relying on one
outside hitter and one middle,
both of our middles are going to
be strong, both of our outsides
are going to be strong, our right
sides are even going to be able
to hit, and we have some girls
that can hit back row very well.
Were going to be a much more
balanced offense.
The Lady Jackets return sev-
eral experienced players, high-
lighted by the District 8-4A and
All-Johnson County blocker of
the year in Brianna Reband,
whos game is multidimension-
al, and should be one of the go-
to players for Cleburne in her
senior season.
Bris a solid player, Wood
said. Every year she wins a lot
of awards. Shes a senior this
year and shes wanting to go out
on top.
Junior Cheyenne Lytle was
a pleasant surprise last season as
she garnered All-Johnson Coun-
ty newcomer of the year and all-
district frst-team honors, and
Wood said shell be even better.
Cheyenne has improved so
Cleburne lost three key players to graduation, but Coach Jim
Wood expects the Lady Jackets to be a more balanced team in
2013. Wood said Cheyenne Lytle (12), who had an impressive
sophomore season, has improved her game over the summer.
Cleburne looks to
top last seasons
achievements in
Woods 2nd season
See CLEBURNE, Page 8
8
1736 N. MaIn, CIeburne, TX 76033
Phone: (817) 558-4466
www.jeengIand.net
*22'/8&.
<(//2:-$&.(76
/DUJHVW9ROXPH
3UHRZQHG7UXFN'HDOHU
LQ-RKQVRQ&RXQW\
much from last year, Wood said. Shes going to be a big factor in
the middle for us. Shes able to hit a variety of shots she couldnt
hit last year. Shes hungrier than she was last year and shes really
wanting to do better.
Other key returning players include Holly Wood, Hannah King,
Kristen Reid and Erica Bonham.
Were going to have a super well-balanced offense and were
going to keep teams guessing who were going to set to, Wood
said. Last year, it was pretty easy to fgure out who we were going
to set to, and they just keyed in on her. So weve got variety now and
I think thats going to help us a lot.
Wood said there will also be younger players stepping up and
potentially making an impact at the varsity level, including Kelsi
Chavez, Montee Sorrells and Ashley Rauer.
While the goal for Cleburne is to be crowned district champion,
Wood said the district race will be very competitive, similar to last
year.
I think its still going to be very competitive, but every team
lost some key players, he said. Burleson graduated a lot but they
still have two outstanding girls coming back. Joshua graduated a
pretty heavy class and they were very talented. We graduated two
outstanding girls. Centennial graduated a couple of girls. And Crow-
ley might even be in the mix. I still think its going to be a very tight
race and very competitive, but the level of play may not be quite as
what it was last year because of losing players to graduation. The
district race is still going to go through Burleson.
The Lady Jackets open the season Tuesday at home against Fort
Worth Southwest.
cleburne
cont. from pg. 7
Cleburnes Brianna Reband was the blocker of the year in all-
district and all-county awards in 2012, and she is expected to be
one of the Lady Jackets leading ladies in her senior year.
9
Supporting Athletes in Alvarado,
Burleson, Cleburne, and Joshua!
By Zack Cunningham
special to the ctr
A
fter what Godley Head
Coach Todd Weese called a
rebuilding year in 2012, where
the Lady Cats went 17-18 and
missed the playoffs for the frst
time in fve years, Godley is
ready to make another playoff
push and continue the winning
tradition of the volleyball pro-
gram.
A 7-5 campaign in the
schools frst year in the re-
vamped District 10-2A was
enough to earn the Lady Cats a
fourth-place tie with rival Grand-
view, but the Lady Zebras took
the fnal playoff spot by virtue
of a better record against similar
opponents.
Godley had one senior last
year and returned only a few
players from the 2011 squad,
which made it to the regional f-
nals. Weese said this year is dif-
ferent.
There were only three re-
turners last year, he said. We
were really inexperienced and it
took us about halfway through
the year to fgure out who was
going to be on the varsity. We
werent used to each other and it
took a while. It took me a while
to put it all together, too.
Godley has seven returners
back this year including seniors
Courtney Traylor and Kasey
Richardson. Other returners in-
clude sophomore defensive spe-
cialist Beth Danna, sophomore
outside hitter Cheyenne Barnes
and sophomore middle blocker
Sidnee Malloy.
Junior outside hitter Leanna
James and junior blocker Jaci
Smith round out the Lady Cats
rotation.
Weese said Godley will be
more multi-dimensional on of-
Lady Cats aim for rebound season
Steven Hiser/Special to the CTR
Godleys Leanna James is one of several experienced returning
starters for the Lady Cats in 2013.
After missing playoffs
for rst time in 5 years,
Godley looks for
improvement
See GODLEY, Page 12
10
1828 N. Main Cleburne
817-202-0430
Full Car Wash + Oil & Lube + Auto Detailing
State Inspections + Fuel Injection Cleaning
Transmission + Radiator Flushes + A/C Service
Open Mon-Sat 8-5 Closed Sundays
Go Get 'Em Lady zebras
You're #1
By A.J. Crisp
sports@trcle.com
G
randview has made the
postseason fve consecu-
tive seasons, but challenges
await the Lady Zebras in 2013.
Grandview faces the chal-
lenges of replacing several key
players as well as adjusting to a
new coach.
The Lady Zebras were a
senior-laden team in 2012,
led by Kalani Basham, Har-
ley Griffth, Paige Pollock,
Brittney Tschoepe and Alexis
Wheeler, all of whom were
all-county and all-district play-
ers. Grandview also has a new
coach for the second consecu-
tive season as Christy Tate re-
places Melissa Cole.
Despite the challenges
ahead, Tate said she expects the
season to be successful.
Im really excited about the
season, Tate said. I think that
weve had a really good camp
and a really good frst day of
practice. Everyone is working
really hard.
The things they did last
year, I do a little different, and
I think the girls are really learn-
ing everything, and its going
really well and I expect a good
season with them.
Tate spent the previous six
years at Saginaw Boswell High
School, where she led the Pio-
neers to postseason play each
year. She will now look to lead
Grandview to its sixth consecu-
tive postseason appearance.
Im just a true believer in
what you put into it is what you
get out of it, she said. If ev-
eryone is willing to put in the
hard work, in the end, every-
thing will work out.
For a program to lose play-
ers of the caliber of Basham
and Tschoepe, along with the
rest of last years seniors, is a
challenge for any program, but
the cupboard isnt bare.
Jade Rochelle was an all-
district performer last season,
and she joins the likes of Abby
Reynolds and Jordan Nash as
players with high expectations.
But the team will succeed as a
team, rather than based on the
play of a few individuals, Tate
said.
I think there are quite a few
players that are going to be able
to make an impact for our team
this year, Tate said. It will be
a good combined team effort
from everyone.
With the loss of an impor-
tant senior class, expectations
from the outside may be low,
but Tate said she hopes her
players take that as a challenge.
I think that a lot of time,
its all the attitude of your play-
ers, she said. Sometimes you
have kids that want to step
up and exceed expectations.
Thats always fun to work with
kids that want to excel because
that challenge is there.
Im still learning about the
girls. Theyre a hard-working
group, and theyre absorbing
everything in. Theyre being
extremely coachable, and thats
an important key building
those relationships and that
Under new coach,
Grandview aims
for sixth straight
playoff appearance
A.J. Crisp/CTR
Grandviews Jade Rochelle was an all-district selection last sea-
son as a freshman.
See ZEBRAS, Page 11
11
By A.J. Crisp
sports@trcle.com
T
he Joshua Lady Owls had
their best season in school
history in 2012. Joshua won 32
games, fnished second in a stout
District 8-4A and made the post-
season for the frst time in sev-
eral seasons. Despite graduating
several key players from a year
ago, expectations are still high.
If Joshua is to repeat its suc-
cess from last season, it will do so
under a new head coach. Jennifer
Key, who was Craig Bethells
top assistant last season, is now
the head coach. Bethell is still on
the volleyball coaching staff in
an assistant role.
Despite the tweak to the
coaching staff, Key said they
will still approach everything in
a similar fashion.
I think that Coach Bethell
and I have been a pretty good
team, Key said. Hes my var-
sity assistant. [From a team
standpoint], each year you adapt.
You evaluate who youre bring-
ing back and who youre bring-
ing in new to the team to decide
what youre changing [scheme-
wise].
The Lady Owls lost three all-
district and all-county players
from a season ago in Maddison
Moad, Katherine Martin and
Hannah Nelson. Key said its
too early to tell what players will
step up and fll those leadership
roles.
We still have a lot of work to
do, Key said. Its too early in
the season. I see it more as a team
thing. They will pull together to
be leaders and dominate as a
team.
Joshua will have only two se-
niors on the team in 2013 Bai-
ley Gloecker and Cassidy Riza.
Juniors Ashley Brakel, Calie
Payne, Kailey Hicks and Bailey
Kennedy return from a year ago
as well. Payne was an all-district
and all-county performer as well.
[The roster makeup] is going
to be a mix of younger players
and experienced players, Key
said. Were only going to have
two seniors, so we wont be los-
ing a lot after this year.
Key said the biggest keys in
the season will be chemistry and
work ethic.
Our expectations are to pull
together as a family, work hard
and progress, she said. Of
course, every coach wants to
win. Our girls have to pull to-
gether and work hard and give
more than 100 percent every
time they hit the court. Were go-
ing to be an all-effort team.
Team bonding and pulling
together as a team is key. Chem-
istry is there. Its still a work in
progress but theyve got to buy
into that and believe it. When
we talk about family, were not
just talking varsity, our whole
program is a family and support
system.
Key said the Lady Owls per-
formed well in summer league
and club action during the off-
season and throughout the sum-
mer. Joshua hosted a summer
league throughout July, and the
junior and senior Lady Owl team
faired well.
Some of them come out of
club and got to play together in
summer league, she said. Our
summer league teams werent
coached so they had to coach
themselves, so you got to see
who was going to step up and be
leaders. We ended up winning
frst place in it.
Key didnt talk about
schemes or sets or certain indi-
viduals playing well. She said
if the Lady Owls give it all they
have, 2013 will be another suc-
cessful season.
Them pulling together as a
team and being a family and giv-
ing 100 percent as they step out
on the court is the biggest key,
she said.
Joshua opens the season
Tuesday at home against Azle.
Lady Owls look for repeat performance
Joshuas Calie Payne (10) was an all-district and all-county pe-
former in 2012, and will play a more prominent role this season.
After best season
in school history,
Joshua hopes for
continued success
mutual respect to each other to get better
altogether.
While Tate is still learning the strengths
and weaknesses of her players as the early
season progresses, she said the biggest key
to a successful 2013 season will be work
ethic.
Theres some areas that we have some
really good strengths in and some areas
where we have a little weakness in, she
said. Depending on how we improve on
those weaknesses, that will determine
where well be [at seasons end]. I still
think its too early to gauge. But as long as
were a hard-working team that outworks
everyone else, well be fne.
Grandview opens the season Tuesday in
China Spring for a dual with Hubbard and
China Spring. On Thursday through Sat-
urday, the Lady Zebras host a tournament
with 16 teams scheduled to participate.
Grandview starts its District 10-2A slate
Tuesday at Keene.
Zebras
cont. from pg. 10
12
By Zack Cunningham
special to the ctr
T
he Keene Lady Chargers are the peren-
nial little engine that could on the John-
son County volleyball landscape, in terms of
size.
After a successful frst half of the 2012
season, Keene stumbled in District 10-2A
play against the likes of local rivals Godley
and Grandview. The Lady Chargers failed to
win a 15-2A contest.
Head Coach Michelle Connelly said youth
played a big role in the tribulations last year,
as well as Keenes lack of size. This year, she
said, brings more reasons for optimism with
almost the entire varsity returning to the
foor.
We did really well in the preseason last
year, she said. I kind of got my hopes up
and then we kind of fell apart in district. We
were close in a lot of games and played really
well, but we couldnt quite get over the hump.
And were still very short. That part
hasnt changed.
Keene had just one senior last year. This
year, the Lady Chargers bring back fve, in-
cluding four starters.
Emily Aaron and Christina Enos are
returning back row seniors for Keene and
Chelsea Wilson is a returning senior middle
blocker. Jenna Bulles, who Connelly said is
by far our best player, is a returning senior
outside hitter.
Were still small, but we do have some
new players who add some hitting power,
Connelly said. Thatll help with the younger
kids who have moved up. Theyre doing re-
ally well.
Connelly said digging and defense is
Keenes biggest strength.
We have a really good team this year and
whats neat is that we can move everyone
around to different positions, she said. We
can interchange everyone.
The lack of a natural setter may be a detri-
ment to the Lady Chargers, Connelly said.
That will hurt us a lot, she said. Weve
got a lot of kids who can play that spot be-
cause theyre told too and hustle, but theyre
not true setters with those soft hands. Dig-
ging will be our biggest strength, and serving.
Were going to try to serve well and dig well.
Enos and Aaron are the anchors on the de-
fensive end.
They dig a lot and they know they have
to get on the foor, Connelly said. We seem
to be serving harder this year. We always got
a lot of serves in and I think weve fgured out
how to serve a little harder and were direct-
ing it a lot better.
The landscape of 10-2A is travel-friendly,
save for the exception of Tolar. Familiar faces
Grandview and Godley represent the biggest
obstacles in the way of Keene and a playoff
berth.
Theyre always tough and so is May-
pearl, Connelly said. I think the rest of
us will be fghting it out for that third- and
fourth-place spot.
As for the 2013 schedule, Connelly said
its set up mostly the same. She added that
she thinks her team can maintain positive mo-
mentum heading into district play.
We got some really good games out of
our preseason last year, she said. Im not
sure what happened after that. Hopefully the
confdence pays off this year.
The Lady Chargers open their season
Tuesday at Boyd. Keenes frst District 10-2A
game is Sept. 10 at Rio Vista.
Experience brings hope For Keene
A.J. Crisp/CTR
Keene Coach Michelle Connelly said the Lady Chargers will be led by Jenna Bulles in
2013. Keene returns the majority of last years varsity squad.
fense in 2013 instead of relying
so heavily on Smiths power.
Shes our best all-around
player, Weese said of Smith.
Last year, even though she was
a sophomore, she stepped up.
She was one of our leaders on
the court.
Shes probably still going
to be our go-to hitter. Cheyenne
and Leanna will also be good,
too. Sydney is another threat on
the right side.
In the tough confnes of 10-
2A, a playoff berth is a struggle
all on its own. Weese said a lot
of the powerhouses in the district
are returning a lot of starters just
like his own team.
We hope to get back in the
playoffs and fnish as high as pos-
sible to have a good seed going
in, he said. I think Maypearl is
going to be strong. Theyve got
a bunch of kids back like Grand-
view. I think Whitney graduated
a big group. I feel like our kids
will come together this year.
Weese added the last half of
the 2012 season will pay divi-
dends for the 2013 campaign.
A lot of the time last year, we
just werent used to each other,
Weese said. I think were going
to be a lot better this year.
Godley opens the season
Tuesday at Dallas Life. The
Lady Cats begin District 10-2A
play Sept. 10 against Whitney.
Godley
cont. from pg. 9
Lady Chargers look to
win more in 2013 with
seasoned group
13
By A.J. Crisp
sports@trcle.com
A
ccording to new coach Rachell Pope,
Rio Vista has the potential to have a
turnaround season after several years of los-
ing.
Pope, who comes to Rio Vista from Cas-
tleberry where she was the middle school
athletic coordinator and varsity assistant
with fve years of coaching experience, said
the frst few days of practice went well and
she is encouraged by the potential the Lady
Eagles have.
Actually, its been pretty smooth, Pope
said. The girls are very much willing to
work. I think theyre excited about the up-
coming season. Im excited about them be-
cause I think they have a lot of potential.
Theyre just going to have to really work and
learn how to work.
The Lady Eagles fgure to be an ex-
perienced team with seven seniors likely
to make the varsity roster, led by Hannah
Kamphaus.
I look for Hannah to be a big leader for
this group, Pope said. Haley Hennis will
be a big part. Shes recovering from an ACL
injury last year. ... Alex Nichols is solid.
Shes a good all-around kid and she works
hard. Shes the silent leader of the group.
We have a lot of seniors and theres a
couple of juniors, one that played varsity
last year as a sophomore. Weve got a lot
of younger kids coming up. I dont know
if theyre going to make varsity or not. But
were going to be a hard-working team.
Since Pope is new to Rio Vista, she said
she hopes to instill a sense of self confdence
and pride into a program that has struggled
in recent years.
The frst month of the season, I hope
to get them into a routine of competing and
really fghting for some wins, she said. I
know they havent had very much success
from last year, but I want them to just com-
pete. I think they can and I think they will.
Well come out with some wins.
As the Lady Eagles battle through tour-
nament and nondistrict play, Pope said she
hopes the team progresses throughout the
season, and once district play rolls around,
theyre ready to compete for a playoff spot.
Im hoping to build as we go through
preseason and then fght for a playoff spot,
Pope said. We want to be fghting for a
playoff spot this season, that is defnitely a
goal.
One of the biggest challenges facing Pope
and the Lady Eagles, she said, is confdence.
Defnitely believing in ourselves and
believing that they can do it is a big key to
the season, Pope said. Theyve got to build
that. Theyve got to create unity and work
together as a team. They will not be success-
ful if they dont work as a team. I think these
girls have a ton of potential, theyre just go-
ing to have to adapt to each other. Were still
working on whos going to play where. Its
hard to tell those things with only a few prac-
tices.
But self confdence may be one of our
biggest battles. Gaining confdence and be-
lieving in themselves.
Pope graduated college from Texas A&M
and high school at Wortham.
Rio Vista opens the season Tuesday at
home against Cleburne Christian Academy.
Lady Eagles ready to break through
Cierra Johnson/Special to the CTR
Under a new head coach, Hannah Kamphaus and the Lady Eagles aim to end their los-
ing ways in 2013.
New coach believes
Rio Vista has potential
to end losing ways
14 community life
Burleson schedule
DATE OPPONENT TIME
Aug. 13 at Stephenville 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 16-17 Bev Ball Classic TBD
Aug. 20 Trinity 5:30 p.m.
Aug. 23-24 Granbury Tournament TBD
Aug. 27 Granbury TBD
Aug. 29 & 31 Argyle Inv. TBD
Sept. 3 at Aledo 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 6 Weatherford 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 10 Keller Central 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 13 at Joshua* 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 17 Cleburne* 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 20 Burleson Centennial* 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 24 Crowley* 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 27 at Everman* 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 1 at Waco Univ.* 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 Waco High* 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 8 Joshua* 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 11 at Cleburne* 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 15 at Burleson Centennial* 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 18 at Crowley* 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 22 Everman* 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 25 Waco Univ.* 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 29 at Waco High* 6:30 p.m.
* Denotes District 8-4A contest
Cleburne schedule
DATE OPPONENT TIME
Aug. 13 Southwest 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 15-17 MISD Tournament TBD
Aug. 20 at Mansfeld Lake Ridge 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 22-24 Glen Rose Tournament TBD
Aug. 27 at Weatherford 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 29-31 Leander Tournament TBD
Sept. 3 Brewer 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 6 at Aledo 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 17 at Burleson* 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 20 Waco Univ.* 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 27 at Waco High* 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 11 Burleson* 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 22 Waco* 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 25 Crowley* 5:30 p.m.
* District 8-4A match
Joshua schedule
DATE OPPONENT TIME
Aug. 13 at Azle, Dual 10 a.m.
Aug. 15-17 EMS Tournament TBD
Aug. 20 Glen Rose/Mineral Wells Dual 4 p.m.
Aug. 27 at South Hills 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 29 & 31 Argyle Tourney TBA
Aug. 30 at Fossil Ridge 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 3 Weatherford 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 6 Trimble Tech 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 13 Burleson* 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 20 at Crowley* 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 27 Waco University* 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 1 Waco High* 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 8 at Burleson* 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 22 at Waco University* 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 29 Cleburne* 6:30 p.m.
Centennial schedule
DATE OPPONENT TIME
Aug. 13 Ranchview 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 16-17 Saginaw Tournament TBD
Aug. 20 Denton Guyer TBD
Aug. 23-24 Brewer Tournament TBD
Aug. 27 Brewer 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 30-31 Arlington Tournament TBD
Sept. 3 at Maypearl 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 6 at Keller 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 10 Paschal 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 17 Waco Univ.* 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 20 Waco High* 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 27 at Burleson* 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 22 Burleson* 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 25 Cleburne* 5:30 p.m.
community life 15
Alvarado schedule
DATE OPPONENT TIME
Aug. 13 at Northside 11 a.m.
Aug. 15-17 Grandview Tournament TBD
Aug. 20 Rio Vista 2 p.m.
Aug. 23 & 24 Brewer Tournament TBD
Aug. 27 Tolar 6 p.m.
Aug. 29 & 31 Southwest Tournament TBD
Aug. 30 at Southwest 5 p.m.
Sept. 3 at Lake Worth 6 p.m.
Sept. 6 at West 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 10 Blum 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 17 Castleberry 6 p.m.
Sept. 20 at China Springs 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 27 Maypearl 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 1 Stephenville* 6 p.m.
Oct. 4 at Venus* 3:25 p.m.
Oct. 8 at Glen Rose* 6 p.m.
Oct. 11 Hillsboro* 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 15 at Grandview 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 18 at Stephenville* 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 22 Venus* 6 p.m.
Oct. 25 Glen Rose 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 29 at Hillsboro* 6 p.m.
* Denotes 7-3A contest
Godley schedule
DATE OPPONENT TIME
Aug. 13 at Dallas Life 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 15-17 Grandview Tournament TBD
Aug. 20 Jacksboro 5:30 p.m.
Aug. 27 at Castleberry 6 p.m.
Aug. 30 at Mineral Wells 5 p.m.
Sept. 3 Peaster 5 p.m.
Sept. 5 & 7 Peaster Tournament TBD
Sept. 6 Millsap 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 10 Whitney* 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 13 Tolar* 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 17 at Keene* 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 20 Rio Vista* 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 24 at Grandview* 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 27 Maypearl* 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 1 Dublin 6 p.m.
Oct. 4 at Whitney* 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 8 at Tolar* 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 11 Keene* 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 15 at Rio Vista* 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 18 Grandview* 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 22 at Maypearl* 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 25 at Dublin 4 p.m.
Rio Vista schedule
DATE OPPONENT TIME
Aug. 13 CCA 2 p.m.
Aug. 15-17 Clifton Tourn. TBD
Aug. 20 at Alvarado 2 p.m.
Aug. 23 at Venus 7 p.m.
Aug. 27 Blum 6 p.m.
Sept. 3 Clifton 6 p.m.
Sept. 5/7 Hillsboro Tourn. TBD
Sept. 10 Keene* 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 13 at Maypearl* 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 17 at Hico 5 p.m.
Sept. 20 at Godley* 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 24 at Tolar* 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 27 at Grandview* 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 at Keene* 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 8 Maypearl* 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 11 CCA Dig Pink 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 15 Godley* 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 18 Tolar* 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 22 Grandview* 6:30 p.m.
Keene schedule
DATE OPPONENT TIME
Aug. 13 at Boyd 2 p.m.
Aug. 15-17 Venus Tourn. TBA
Aug. 20 Millsap 6 p.m.
Aug. 22-24 Keene Tourn. TBA
Aug. 27 NCA 5:30 p.m.
Aug. 30 at Venus 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 3 NCA at Crowley 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 10 at Rio Vista* 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 13 Grandview* 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 17 Godley* 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 20 at Tolar* 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 27 at Dublin 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 1 Maypearl* 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 Rio Vista* 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 8 at Grandview* 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 11 at Godley* 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 22 CCA 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 25 at * 4:30 p.m.
Grandview schedule
DATE OPPONENT TIME
Aug. 13 at China Spring, dual 4 p.m.
Aug. 15-17 Grandview Tourn. TBD
Aug. 20 at Sunnyvale 5 p.m.
Aug. 22-24 Groesbeck Tourn. TBD
Aug. 27 Glen Rose 6 p.m.
Aug. 29-31 Dublin Tourn. TBD
Aug. 30 at University 6 p.m.
Sept. 3 at Lorena 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 6 Blum 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 10 Maypearl* 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 13 at Keene* 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 17 at Whitney* 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 20 Groesbeck 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 24 Godley* 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 27 Rio Vista* 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 1 at Tolar* 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 at Maypearl* 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 8 Keene* 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 11 Whitney* 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 15 Alvarado 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 18 at Godley* 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 22 at Rio Vista* 6:30 p.m.
14
@
h
h
]
E
n
\
d
E
Z
]
r
C
Z
\
d
^
m
l
&UHDWLQJ%HWWHU3ODFHVWR/LYH
deserves the very best
:@k^ZmIeZ\^MhPhkd'
ppp'cZf^laZk]b^'\hf
-DPHV+DUGLH
A place as important at your home.

Johnson County Volleyball 2013

Enviado por

Dados do documento

Direitos autorais

Formatos disponíveis

Compartilhar este documento

Compartilhar ou incorporar documento

Opções de compartilhamento

Você considera este documento útil?

Este conteúdo é inapropriado?

Direitos autorais:

Formatos disponíveis

Johnson County Volleyball 2013

Enviado por

Direitos autorais:

Formatos disponíveis

Volleyball 2013 Sunday, August 11, 2013 Page 1

A place as important at your home.

Você também pode gostar