Members of the varsity volleyball team prepare to return the ball during the team’s game against Greenbrier High School on Oct. 7, 2021. After six of the Gladiator players graduated last year, head varsity volleyball coach Stacey Scott has seen her team’s older players struggle to replace their leadership. “This is a hard year for some of the seniors and even juniors. They’ve played on a varsity team where it looks completely different, so I think them having to step out on their own ability and skill has been something a little bit more difficult for them,” Scott said. Photo by Lucas Donnelly
The CCHS varsity volleyball team has lost three out of their last four games, but will look to bounce back during their matches this week ahead of their first Region 8-AAAAA game against Eastside High School on Sept. 8.
After a 3-4 start to the season, the Clarke Central High School varsity volleyball team will play five matches this week in preparation for the start of Region 8-AAAAA play on Sept. 8.
The Gladiators started their season by winning two of their first three games before losing middle blockers Makaney Burnette and Molly Orbock to injuries and dropping three out of their four games at the back end of last week. While head varsity volleyball coach Stacey Scott recognized the impact her missing players have had on the team’s results, she was pleased with their performance.
“The young ladies have trust (in the) system of play, they trust the offense and defensive system and they’re leaning on each other and their strengths,” Scott said. “With us having these injuries, a lot of younger players (who) just simply don’t have a whole lot of experience on varsity have been willing to step up and take on a very pivotal role.”
The varsity volleyball team will play five matches this week in preparation for their first Region 8-AAAAA game against Eastside High School on Sept. 8. The Gladiators played three games last week and have another five this week, but team captain Pierce Alston, a senior, expects the Gladiators’ bench to help manage the load. “We (have practiced) every day since the beginning of June, so I think we’ve definitely gotten a lot better with our stamina, but it will be tiring, especially for our players who don’t come off the court,” Alston said. “But, we have our bench players there to help when we get really tired, so I think that’s very good.” Graphic by Wyatt Meyer
Team captain Pierce Alston, a senior, has been impressed with what the team has accomplished so far in their season.
“We’ve been doing a lot better than I expected going against some of the best teams,” Alston said. “Hopefully, when we face them again, we’ll be able to win.”
Heading into their matches at North Hall High School on Aug. 30 and Prince Avenue Christian High School on Sept. 1, the Gladiators have been working on improving their team’s relationships.
“We talk a lot about communication and making sure that we don’t get in a place where we feel isolated or alone,” Scott said. “The most important thing is to know that you’re connected to five other individuals on the court.”
Looking forward to the rest of the season, Alston wants her team to remain concentrated on the games ahead of them.
“We’ve come into practice and just been really focused,” Alston said. “If we just keep a focused attitude (and) mentality, we can really just hope for the best and play as well as we can.”
