Tigers start volleyball
McKenzie volleyball team, front row: Kaitlyn Padgett, Windsay Tetter, Aniya Rudolph, Dana Richey, Sara Watford, Emma Shine, Savannah Shipp, middle row: Kamryn Skipper, Bethany Ann Odom, Armani Womack, Payton Davis, Madison Cavan, Abby Pope, back row: Maggie Brown, Kami Shufford, Leeann Lynch, Abby Langford, Abigail Johnson (Photo by Cecil Folds)
TORI J. NORRIS/THE GREENVILLE STANDARD
The McKenzie Tigers volleyball team started their second season this past week with games against JU Blacksher on Tuesday and Thursday.
Although the junior varsity team only won one match, while the varsity team did not win any, Coach Donna Byrd is impressed with the progress the team has made since their first season.
The junior varsity team won Tuesday, 2-1, in the first game of the season.
Seventh graders Armani Womack and Abby Pope, as well as freshman Bethany Ann Odom, have been the leaders on the court.
“Armani is a very aggressive player,” said Coach Byrd.
“Abby has been serving well and Bethany Ann is very consistent on the court.”
“I am impressed by the way the team communicates and works together,” said Coach Byrd.
“It shows in the way they play on the court. We still have to work on our defense as the season progresses.”
The Tigers varsity volleyball team has lost both games so far this season. “Four of our nine varsity players have never played before,” said Coach Byrd.
“This team is trying really hard and they want it.”
Senior Kaitlyn Padgett and juniors Savannah Shipp and Dana Richey have stood out during the first two games.
“Our young players are also really stepping up,” said Coach Byrd.
“Abby Langford and Madison Covan are both freshmen who are in the starting rotation.”
“We are at a point that we can move up to another level of play,” said Coach Byrd.
“But we need to take care of the basics to move there. We also have to work on communicating better and being vocal on the court.”
McKenzie volleyball will host Greenville tomorrow in McKenzie. The junior varsity is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. followed by the varsity game.
