VOLLEY HOUNDS
The Lady Greyhounds make their home debut on Thursday in a tri-match against both Piedmont Academy and Putnam County. That match comes two days after this past Tuesday’s season opener at Putnam County.
But even before taking the court earlier this week, the Volley Hounds reached a milestone with the firstever four-year players taking the court – Kylie Chastain, Kameron Hardwick, Nya Warren and Pressley Vinson . That experience is something that new head coach Kim Hanner, who moves up from leading the JV team last year, is glad to have. “We have four seniors that have some great experience and very good leadership skills. Without me even asking me to, they have stepped up and given guidance to the younger girls on the team. Experience is invaluable, and all of them are great kids and students. So, on the court and off the court, they are great leaders,” Hanner said. “They’ve been invaluable to me because I am still in the process of learning some things about volleyball. They’ve taken me under their wing and given me guidance.
I can’t say enough great things about them.”
Even though the season did not begin until earlier this week for the Volley Hounds, who will field a varsity and JV team this year, there is one apparent difference that should yield greater results.
“Pressley was just telling me that ‘we’re playing more as a team than we ever have.’ So, I think that’s just them being leaders.
But also, we’ve been through a lot of changes together,” Hanner said.
“Everyone has a great attitude, and good work ethic has put in the time.”
Amid the all-around buy-in, two figure to be key for the Volley Hounds going into the season.
Warren’s tall presence on the front line should aid chances to win points via blocks from near the net with Chastain, who moves to the libero position, being among the hardest hitters from the back line.
“Every one of them has gifts and talents,” Hanner said. “We’re blessed with what they are able to do.”
Speaking of milestones, JCHS crossed off one last year with the first region match victory in program history. The logical next step is a berth in the state tournament, and performance against those teams in the regular season can help or hurt seeding in the region tournament. Following some early non-region matches, the first region opponents will be Warner Robins and Eagles Landing on Sept. 5 at Warner Robins, against Ola and Dutchtown at Ola on Sept. 12, and at home against Union Grove and Locust Grove on Sept. 26.
“We’ve already looked at the scheduled and talked about the teams we will face,” Hanner said. “We try to pinpoint where we need to improve so we know what we need to do to get there.”
