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Lady Mustangs to open season Monday at home with Murphy
Smoky Mountain's volleyball team will open its season at home Monday against Murphy.

The JVs will begin at 5 p.m. with the varsity to follow.

"We've had some productive practices," said Coach Cindi Simmons, who is 269-91 with three state championships in 17 seasons. "The enthusiasm and intensity have been outstanding each time they step on the floor."

The Lady Mustangs have eight seniors returning from a 15-8 team that qualified for the state 3-A playoffs. Middle hitters Kaitlin Ritchie and Lindsey Lewis are back after earning All-Western Athletic Conference honors. Tara Green, another All-WAC selection, has been moved from setter to outside hitter.

Abbey Higgins and Melissa Collins will handled the setting duties in a 6-2 offense. The other seniors are defensive specialists Amanda Magruder and Cassie Proffitt and hitter Tabitha Ashe. Junior Christy Pruett saw action on the varsity late last season. Also up from the JVs are juniors Katie Loughlin, Shay Shular, Amber Stephens and Dorothy Keane.

"We have an experienced group with a good attitude," Simmons said. "I'm really looking forward to working with this group."

SM went 6-2 Saturday in a scrimmage at Enka. Wins were over Roberson (18-9), Mt. Pleasant (32-9), Asheville (20-13), Tuscola (29-12), Reynolds (20-12) and Pisgah (24-12). Losses were to West Henderson (23-12) and Enka (19-14).

"You're always able to see where your are at this point in the season," Simmons said of playing in the scrimmage. "Some areas looked positive, but there are areas to work on. I was pleased with a lot of the different things we tried. The players have spent a lot of time in the off-season honing their skills, and that was evident with their confidence."

She said the Lady Mustangs are trying different offensive plays this season.

"This should make us more versatile and not as predictable offensively," the coach said.

SM will have another multiple team scrimmage Saturday at Tuscola. Simmons said she will be looking for improved blocking and more overall consistency.

The scrimmage schedule is as follows:

9:30 a.m., R-S Central; 10 a.m., Enka; 11 a.m., Crest; 1 p.m., West Henderson; 2 p.m., Pisgah; 3:30 p.m., Foard; 4:30 p.m., Tuscola; 5:30 p.m., Brevard.

The Lady Mustangs hope to have Lewis available for the scrimmage. She is still hampered by an ankle injury sustained in June and did not play Saturday.

The schedule is as follows:

Aug. 14 - Murphy; 15 - West Henderson; 17 - at Blue Ridge; 21 - at Murphy; 22 - Swain; 24 - at West Henderson; 29 - Blue Ridge; 31 - Pisgah.

Sept. 5 - Erwin; 7 - at Franklin; 11 - at Swain; 14 - Tuscola; 16 - Foard and East Henderson; 19 - Brevard; 21 - at Enka; 26 - at Pisgah; 28 - at Erwin.

Oct. 3 - Franklin; 10 - Tuscola; 12 - at Brevard; 17 - Enka.

The JVs will play at 5 p.m. each match with the varsity to follow except for the Sept. 16 tri-match. Those contests will be for varsity only with the times to be announced.

Back to Sports: 08/10/00.