GREYHOUND VOLLEYBALL
The Lady Greyhounds volleyball program is not short on momentum. This summer will lead into their fourth year competing. As a result, Jones County will trot a team onto the court that’ll have a senior class with three years of high school experience in their corner, something that the Volley Hounds have never had the benefit of before.
And after a previous season in which the Lady Hounds won their first varsity region match in program history, that enthusiasm has carried over. That was clearly shown last week at the JCHS gymnasium during multiple days of tryouts to set the roster for next year’s team.
The hope is that the enthusiasm doesn’t just spur on things from the high school level but also generate interest to begin a middle school program.
“It’s so exciting. We started with around 61 that signed up. We love seeing all of the interest in the program,” new Lady Greyhounds head coach Kim Hanner said.
After beginning the week with around 60 players, the pool of hopeful Volley Hounds was cut down to 30 by Thursday prior to the final rosters being set for the varsity and JV squads by a coaching staff led by Hanner.
“We have a pretty tough schedule ahead of us, but the girls have showed great improvement,” Hanner said.
With Hanner being previously on staff, there’s little adjustment for players returning from last year’s group. Also helpful? The return of others previously on staff with Amanda Mercer and Harlie Sharpe set to coach the JV team when the season begins in August.
“We have a new coaching staff, so there are lots of changes. But there are lots of positive things going on, too,” Hanner said. “We’re excited.”
