Volleyball making progress in preseason

By Vic Jerald

Sports Information Assistant

MONTGOMERY, Ala.  – The Huntingdon volleyball team and men's and women's soccer teams began preseason practice on Aug. 16.

An update for each team's preseason will be featured this week, beginning with volleyball.

Volleyball

The volleyball team completed four days of practice before classes began on Monday.

The Hawks are coming off a 19-18 season and an appearance in the quarterfinals of the USA South Athletic Conference Tournament. Head coach Latonia Brady and assistant coach Mary Willis are working with 30 players during the preseason, including 16 returning players.

Huntingdon opens the season in Memphis, Tenn., on Aug. 31 in the Rhodes Invitational.

Brady on the team's progress in the preseason: "It has been absolutely amazing so far. There's something special about what's going on right now. Everybody is committed and invested in the program. The returning players and the newcomers are working together and everyone is holding each other accountable."

Brady on the biggest priority of the preseason: "Setting has always been a priority for us, and this year we have four really good setters. We have one senior and three freshmen and they're all pushing each other and making each other better. In the process, that is making our hitters better as well."

Brady on the team's emerging leadership: "The leadership we have this year is a little different than what we've had in the past. This year we have several players providing different forms of leadership and we're getting leadership from older players and younger players.

"Senior Kaitlyn Carter has matured a lot during her four seasons and has become a selfless leader. Senior Nichole LeFevre joined the program last season but has become a leader who is always encouraging others. Sophomore Amy Tyma has been a quiet leader but is developing into more of a vocal leader. It is good to have these different kinds of leaders and leadership styles."