Fruitvale tops Lady Hawks in four sets
When it’s time for the game to begin, the Lady Hawks approach their opponents to wish them good luck. They’re nervous with excitement, hoping that they’ll be able to pull out the win against …
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Fruitvale tops Lady Hawks in four sets
When it’s time for the game to begin, the Lady Hawks approach their opponents to wish them good luck. They’re nervous with excitement, hoping that they’ll be able to pull out the win against the Fruitvale Bobcats. Seniors have been lost, and players have been moved up, left and right, trying to find their role on the newly formed team.
“One! Two! Three! LHP!” they yell as they head out onto the court.
After losing six graduating seniors, the Lady Hawks have had to work hard on developing a new team dynamic for the 2016 season.
“We are trying different systems and players in different positions to figure out what gives us the best opportunity to be successful,” Coach Terri Boyd said. “We are a work in progress.”
Looking toward the start of district play on Sept. 20, the Lady Hawks are hopeful for the new season and the new players.
“Graduating six seniors is difficult in any sport,” senior Hannah Langford said. “They were all key components of the team, but now we’re discovering new ones. We have to figure out how everyone plays and what our strengths and weaknesses are. We’re all friends outside of volleyball though, so it helps that we can have fun on the court and we don’t have to take everything so seriously.”
Last Tuesday, the varsity Lady Hawks were able to pull out a 25-16 win in the first set against the Bobcats. Senior Sydnee Miller had seven kills, and Langford, senior Natalie Smith, and junior Emily Hodges added four kills each. The second set ended with a 23-25 loss for the Lady Hawks. Senior Haleigh Dollins put up nine assists, followed by Raeli Smith with five.
Defensively, junior Raeli Smith was able to pick up 15 kills for the night, while seniors Madison Staruska and Destiny Chapman both had 13 digs apiece for the Lady Hawks. The last two sets finished out at 14-25 and 23-25 in favor of Fruitvale.
Tuesday’s match was the only one this week for Hawkins, as Friday was their open night. Although the Lady Hawks didn’t pull out a win this week, senior Taylor Jones believes the team will arrive in Tatum Tuesday ready to play.
“The game Tuesday was a tough one -- Fruitvale came to play,” Jones said. “We did what we could do, we held them to a close two last sets, we just couldn’t pull out a win Tuesday, but we won’t let that hold us back, we will come out next Tuesday ready to play.”
