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Smoky Mountain volleyball team to start season Monday
Smoky Mountain’s volleyball team will open its season Monday at North Buncombe.
The first home match is Aug. 23 against Franklin.
As is the case with most matches this year, the JVs will play at 5 p.m. followed by the varsity.
“I feel good about how things are going and where we’re at at this point,” said Natasha Wilson, who is preparing for her first season as coach. “I feel like all 11 girls are going to be able to contribute to the program in many ways.”
Smoky Mountain senior Brittany Gilbert (center) was named to the all-tournament team Saturday at a volleyball scrimmage at Western Carolina. Also pictured are SM Coach Natasha Wilson (left) and tournament director Thomas Peters.
Wilson’s first chance to see her team in action came Saturday in a multi-team scrimmage at Western Carolina. The Lady Mustangs went 3-3, and Brittany Gilbert was named to the all-tournament team. The scrimmage was a last minute addition so several players were unable to participate due to previous commitments.
“We had to play in different rotations than what we had practiced in which made it more challenging,” Wilson said. “Overall, I felt we did a good job. I was proud of the girls’ performance on the court.”
Of the more than 100 players there, Wilson noted Gilbert was one of just six named all-tournament.
“She led the team as one of our setters and as our go-to hitter,” the coach said. “Several coaches of other teams asked me about her.”
Smoky Mountain’s Kelly Childress goes for a kill in a volleyball scrimmage Saturday at Western Carolina. The Lady Mustangs went 3-3 in the event. They will open the regular season Monday at North Buncombe and play Franklin at home next Thursday. – Photo by Mark Haskett
The Lady Mustangs will have a final tune-up for the regular season today (Thursday) at Asheville. The JV and varsity will both scrimmage with action starting around 4:30 p.m.
The Lady Cougars are led by former SM Coach Ken Walker.
“We’ve got a set rotation now,” Wilson said. “I’ve changed some personnel based on what I saw Saturday. With everybody there Thursday, hopefully we’ll be able to build chemistry to carry over into the regular season.”
Seniors Gilbert and Cassie Randall have taken over as setters for the Lady Mustangs.
“We have two new setters who are really stepping up,” the coach said. “Our hitters are trying to adjust to them. We’re focusing on blocking because we don’t have a lot of height.”
Other returnees are seniors Kelly Childress, Megan Taylor and Brittany Haskett and juniors Hannah Painter.
Juniors Annelise Davis and Natasha Key saw some varsity action a year ago though they played mainly on the JVs. Junior Felicia Johnson is a transfer from Cherokee.
Sophomores up from the JVs are Jodi Henkel and Laura Ward.
Henkel has looked good in practice as a libero, according to Wilson.
Junior Jordan Cagle is expected to miss the entire season due to a non-sports related leg injury.
“I think we’re ready and in shape physically,” Wilson said. “We’re going to concentrate on our mental strengths and getting ourselves focused on what we’re getting ready to endure.”
The Lady Mustangs were 6-14 a year ago and went 0-10 in the Western Athletic Conference. Wilson knows the WAC, which includes perennial state power West Henderson, will again be tough.
“The Henderson County teams are going to be our biggest challenge, but I believe we’ll be able to compete,” she said.
Sara White is serving as assistant coach with Nichole Efird taking over as JV coach. Efird, the former Nichole Jones, was Wilson’s teammate at Smoky Mountain.
The schedule is as follows with a few matches added from the original slate released earlier this month:
Aug. 20 – at North Buncombe; 22 – at Tuscola; 23 – Franklin; 27 – at Murphy; 29 – Cherokee.
Sept. 5 – at Robbinsville; 8 – at Swain; 10 – at Franklin; 13 – at Brevard; 17 – North Buncombe; 18 – East Henderson; 20 – North Henderson; 24 – Robbinsville; 25 – at West Henderson; 27 – Pisgah.
Oct. 2 – Brevard; 4 – at East Henderson; 8 – Murphy; 9 – at North Henderson; 11 – West Henderson; 16 – at Pisgah.
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