Varsity wins against New Caney in three sets
Sep 8, 2021
photo or infographic by Summer Rains
SPIKE. During the second set of the game, senior Rylee Mcdonald kills the ball.
As the ball comes over the net, the libero gets ready to make her pass. She takes a step forward and then falls to the ground as she gives the setter a perfect pass. The setter then raises her hands and waits for the ball to come back down to her.
“Middle middle middle!”
The middle hitter calls out to the setter to let her know that she is set and ready to hit the ball. The setter sends the ball to the middle of the court, close to the net, and the hitter starts her approach. As the hitter takes her last step, her feet leave the floor and she slams the ball onto the other side of the court to make a kill.
On Tuesday, September 7, the Ladykats played their first home game of the season against New Caney. They swept the Eagles in three sets.
“It feels so amazing to win after a season full of losses,” senior Georgia Everett said. “I wouldn’t want to spend my last year with a better group of girls.”
After having a junior season filled with quarantining and COVID protocols, senior hitter Rylee McDonald is excited for what’s to come this season.
“For this season, I expect myself and my teammates to grow closer than we are now and to win more games than last year,” McDonald said. “Sadly, I am not planning on playing in college so I’m going to make the best out of my last ever season of volleyball.”
Being a senior gives students the opportunity to step up and lead by example. When it comes to volleyball, the senior players have the chance to show the underclassmen what discipline and hard work looks like.
“It was exciting knowing that we won our first home game,” senior Piper Neumann said. “My plans for the season are that I hope to grow my leadership and to spread positivity on the court.”
Playing a team sport means that each player should support each other and work with each other to get better. This season there is a freshman on the team and she is very grateful for the chance.
“As a freshman on varsity, I feel very proud to be with such nice girls and great teammates,” freshman Carly Paugh said. “It’s an amazing opportunity, and to get to experience it with the most special people is so exciting. I’m thrilled to start and finish the season with these girls.”
photo or infographic by Stephanie Keele
READY FOR ACTION. Waiting for the serve, seniors Reece Edmiston and Taylor Thomas with junior Caroline Woodfill play in the game against rivals Huntsville. The LadyKats won in four sets.
A Lady Hornet makes her approach. The ball is high in the air and she comes down and spikes the ball. The libero gives the perfect pass to the setter and she sets it to the right side hitter to make a kill.
The Ladykats win the point and the girls on the court cheer.
“OOP AYE!”
Then the girls on the bench jump up out of their seats and cheer.
“OOP AYE!”
Finally, the parents and the Ladykat fans in the stands jump up and cheer.
“OOP AYE!”
Due to Hurricane Nicholas, the varsity volleyball Tuesday game was postponed to Wednesday. The Ladykats played the Huntsville Hornets and won in four sets.
“The game went great tonight,” senior Reece Edmiston said. “Though we fell short in the third set, we picked it up to finish strong. I think we still have some areas we all want to improve on, but so does every team. I am so excited for this last year and to make it the best. We are all hoping to make it to the playoffs, which we can accomplish if we all work hard.”
Each player has high expectations for themselves and the team this season. They are ready for whatever comes their way.
“Well, what I expect out of this season is that we are going to go into the playoffs,” junior Cooper Rhodes said. “Also that we are going to bring the heat this year cause we are ready for anything. Better luck next time lady hornets.”
The Ladykats are racking up the wins before district and the players are very appreciative of the opportunity they have to play on the varsity level.
“Varsity is a goal I think most athletes have, and I am grateful for the chance to experience it myself,” junior Lakin Horne. “The long practices and games can be tiring but are worth it to make memories with your team. Nothing beats the hype of a home game win.”
photo or infographic by Brenan Mansker
GOOD JOB. After winning a point against the Lady War Eagles, the team celebrates. After a tough district battle, the LadyKats lost in four sets.
On Tuesday, September 28th, the volleyball team hosted the Lady War Eagles from Oak Ridge. Despite losing a tough battle, the team left the court knowing they worked hard and played great.
“We played good, but we just came up short,” freshman Carly Paugh said “We just need to prepare a bit better for our next game.”
The volleyball team will play away on Friday October 1st against the Grand Oaks Grizzlies. It is another district game, and the team us planning on a tough battle.
“We were really competitive,” senior Piper Neumann said. “We have been working to improve and hopefully we can win on Friday.”
The team is working to build team spirit, but the school spirit at the games in on point. The student section shows up for home games to yell for the Lady Kats.
“I was at the game and the girls played great, but they just came up short,” junior Colin Utecht said “I’ll be at the game on Friday to watch the girls win.”
The volleyball team has a very supportive fan base. A big portion of the fanbase is the loud student section.
“We come to all the home games,” junior player Braydon Hawthorne said “We are part of the baseball team and we support them, so the volleyball team will come support us.”
With the big fan base and great student section. Volleyball games also come with dress up themes for the student section.
“I was one of the people who dressed up,” senior Colton Land said “I love the themes we have. I feel it brings the student section better.
The team left their hearts on the court and knew they played hard. The game was filled with a lot fun times
“We had a lot of fun, but winning the game would’ve made it a lot better,” junior Caroline Woodfill said. “We will work hard in practice to try and win our next game.”
Purple surrounds the visitor side of the gym. Faces are red as players dive and spike the ball into the air. The stands cheering “We… Are…. Willis…” after every touch by the LadyKats. Both student sections yelling at each other trying to prove which school is better.
The LadyKat volleyball team went against their rivals, the Conroe Tigers, on Oct. 5th. In the heated match, the LadyKats fell short after playing in 5 very close sets.
Every team has challenges they have to face. The LadyKats make the best of a hard defeat and look for the positive.
“It felt so amazing to play that hard against our rival,” senior Rylee McDonald said. “This season is going by so fast, and I am so grateful for my awesome coaches and teammates.”
After a tough loss or when things are not going in the team’s favor, motivation is sometimes hard to find. The team has to rely on each other.
“The thing that motivates us to keep pushing through each set is determination,” senior Georgia Everett said. “We have the drive to keep going even when things aren’t always going our way, which helps out a lot.”
During an intense set, the LadyKats were able to comeback and win 27-25. They were able to win point after point to help boost the morale of each set.
“The highlight of the game for me was definitely running off about five kills in a row,” senior Taylor Thomas said. “It was super exhilarating to come back from a five point deficit to end up beating them and hearing the fans go crazy for us.”
After their loss, the LadyKats are looking forward to beating the Lady Tigers next time. With home advantage, they hope for a big time victory.
“It feels good to be able to face them the first time this season,” senior Reece Edmiston said. “We are ready to get our revenge and play our hearts out for the last district game.”
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