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PLAS Volleyball kicks off season with 2-3 record

By Nick Duke | Troy Messenger

Published Thursday, August 27, 2009

The Pike Liberal Arts volleyball season has gotten started, with the team posting a 2-3 record over its first five matches.

The team has also opened region play, opening with a 1-1 record in the region.

The season opener was a region contest, something head coach Mendy Avant said the team wasn’t quite ready for, even though it played well.

“It was a close match,” Avant said. “Being the first match, we just weren’t quite ready. I’ve got three girls that have never played before.”

Among the players that have never played before are two seniors that decided to join.

“I’ve got Eady Pinckard and Anna Saunders that have never played before, but they’re good athletes,” Avant said.

Unfortunately, adjusting to the game of volleyball will take some time.

“That first game, they were almost lost,” Avant said.

“The rotation we use is difficult and our offense is a little bit harder than what they’re used to. They’re getting the concept down, though. They’re just great athletes, and they’re easy to work with.”

Joining the seniors is a pair of girls that are playing for both the varsity ad junior varsity teams.

“I’ve pulled up two eight graders,” Avant said.

“They played JV last year, but that’s a big step. They’ve done a good job. Kailee Taylor and Shelby Baggett have done a good job for us, but they both start JV as well.”

With such a large age difference between the players, the team will lose a lot of experienced players after the 2009 season.

“All of them are seniors except for my two eighth graders,” Avant said.

“ I’m going to lose pretty much everybody, but these girls play hard. They’ve got good attitudes and they don’t quit.

While Avant is not looking forward to losing her leaders, the senior class and the rest of the team still has work ahead of it before there are any departures.

“We’ve got to work on our passes and setting up the plays,” Avant said.

Pike Liberal Arts volleyball will take on Lee-Scott Academy in a region match September 2 in Auburn at 3:30 p.m.

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