VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW
Gilmer High School returns another seasoned team to the volleyball court.
The bulk of last year’s roster is back, and most Lady Cats have started or lettered every year in the program.
The Cats dealt with COVID-19 (coronavirus) hurdles like all programs throughout the summer and preseason with extra safety precautions in place.
“It’s been a little bit of a challenge, especially when we started back in July,” said head coach Donna Parks. “Some of the parents were nervous about it and of course the girls were. Once we got in the gym it was pretty much the same as always.
“It takes a little extra time for practice because you have to ask all the (COVID) questions and take temperatures and all that. We have to social distance and clean all the balls. It’s just a lengthier process and you have to allow more time.”
Time spent in groups is limited to minimize long-term exposure to the same individuals as players are constantly rotating.
“We’re just trying to switch it up to keep the girls moving,” Parks said. “They’re not standing next to each other, and they’re always doing something and moving.”
Considering the mandatory precautions coupled with four days off in July as all sports activities were suspended, Parks is pleased with the Cats’ progression entering the season.
“I’m happy with where we are because a lot of our girls have so much experience,” she said. “As far as the younger ones go, they’re catching on really well. We’re where we need to be at this point.”
But sorting out the schedule has been another matter as GHS home dates will be restricted to dual matches to limit the number of communities interacting on a single day.
“My biggest thing right now is scheduling. We can’t have multiple teams on the same day,” Parks said. “So for us that was a nightmare because we usually have two teams come on the same day so we can get more matches in.”
What would have normally been a home tri-match will now be played over a two-day span. But that method still does not solve all the problems as area home matches will require an additional day.
“If we’re supposed to play White County and Lumpkin at home and we play White County Monday and Lumpkin Tuesday, they still have to play each other sometime for their region match,” Parks said.
“That’s three days for what should have taken one day.”
GHS lost two varsity players who received significant court time off last season’s 15-27 team. Parks focused on communication and teamwork at practice in the weeks ahead of the season. Some players also switched positions and got acclimated in their new roles.
“They are positions they’re not really used to, but they’re perfectly capable of it,” Parks said.
This year’s varsity roster consists of four seniors, two juniors and two sophomores.
Senior Emma Deyton returns to play outside hitter after missing last season with an injury. Junior Kadie Weaver will be on the outside as well. Middle hitters are junior Elly Callihan and sophomore Taylor McCormick.
“I have some terrific middle hitters in Elly and Taylor McCormick,” Parks said. “Taylor played a little during the offseason before it (travel season) was shut down, and she has really come along in her abilities. Our middles are going to be hard to stop as far as their hitting.
“For our outside hitters, getting Emma back was big because she missed all of last season. She’s getting right back into it. Kadie is one of the ones we moved to the outside and she’s been coming along. She’s embraced the change and is doing fine.”
Senior Hope Colwell returns to play libero. Sophomore Adrian Thompson made the move up from the junior varsity. The setters will be seniors Emma Callihan and Beth Burnette.
“We have Hope back in the back row and she runs around and gets to everything and keeps balls up. Adrian will play in the back line as well digging balls up.
“We have our two great setters in Emma Callihan and Beth. They know what their job is and how to do it.”
The Lady Cat seniors have all started in each season of their GHS careers, as has junior Elly Callihan.
“We’re looking for a lot of middle attacks this year,” Parks said. “With Hope and Adrian, and Emma (Callihan) and Beth splitting time on the back row, I think it’s going to be a good rotation.”
She added, “Hopefully we can get in as many matches as we can before we start the region (area) schedule just to make sure we’re playing well together. I feel like we’ve figured out our rotations. They’re looking really good as long as they don’t get crazy on me.”
Gilmer plays in an “area” that is different from the region in which most programs at GHS participate.
The identical opponents include Cherokee Bluff, West Hall, North Hall, Lumpkin County, White County and Dawson County but adds Flowery Branch.
The Cats began the season last week and posted a 2-1 record.