Compared to teams from surrounding counties such as Henry and Houston counties in the sport of volleyball, Jones County is at a disadvantage due to the Lady Hounds not competing in the sport prior to 2020.
But efforts such as a feeder system are helping to close that gap. The Lady Hounds ninthgrade volleyball team wraps up its season this Thursday at Mary Persons. Going into that match, Jones County has picked up five wins on the season so far. In last week’s home finale against Houston County, the Lady Hounds took a set victory before losing 2-1.
“It can be intimidating to them because a lot of these surrounding counties have had volleyball already, so for them, it’s been their first time playing,” Lady Hounds ninth grade head coach Harlie Sharp said. “It’s been their first time playing, but they are doing great learning the game and improving in all areas.”
That win in the midst of the match showed a significant growth for this year’s group, which earlier the week before fell 25-5 to the Bears.
“There’s been a major improvement,” Sharp said. “Overall, we’re proud of how much they have grown.”
In fact, this team had five eighth-graders on it, meaning that should they continue playing. They’ll graduate JCHS with five years of experience.
“You’re in it to help these girls move forward in their careers, some of them will play for five years,” Sharp said. “It’s such a great bond that these girls have.”
That moving forward was also shown Sept. 14 in three back-toback matches against Warner Robins, Perry and Houston County. Against Perry, Adyson Bell scored 11 service points in a 25-15 win that was followed by a 25-20 win in the second set. In a 3-2 match win against Warner Robins, Bell gained eight points in one service as JCHS won the fifth set 15-11.
The growth has not been limited just to the players.
Near the start of the season, the Lady Hounds were in need of a coach to lead the team, and Sharp stepped in. To say the least, the learning curve was steep, but one that was handled in stride.
“We didn’t have that time to bond, so everything had to be sped up,” Sharp said. “I knew the very basics; I didn’t have any experience playing other than in the backyard or at cookouts. This has been my first time coaching; I hope that I still get to do it.”
