By Josh Hall (josh.hall@ky3.com)
The Lamar High School volleyball team got off to a slow start in 2016, but finished the season strong.
The Lady Tigers will look to pick up where they left off and take a step further after graduating one senior from last year’s team that went 11-19-3 after falling to Sarcoxie in the championship game of the Class 2, District 11 tournament.
“We expect to have a good season,” coach Chelsie Griffin said. “We had a slow start last season, but towards the end, the girls really got it together. They’re really coming back with something to prove this year.”
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Lamar, which went 3-7 in its first 10 games last season, will look to replace Sammi Null at libero, but the Lady Tigers remain intact otherwise.
Griffin has high expectations for senior middle hitter Katelyn Mooney and senior setter Darrah Bartlett. Mooney earned Second-Team Big 8 All-Conference honors for her play last year.
“The team really looks to them for leadership, so it’s all going to revolve around them and how they lead,” Griffin said.
Griffin was also quick to note the improvement she saw this summer in junior middle/outside hitter Lauren Compton.
“Lauren has come back so strong,” Griffin said. “I don’t know what’s happened in this last year. Whatever she’s done, it’s improved her tremendously.”
Senior setter/defensive specialist Kara Beshore is another returner for the Lady Tigers. Ryen Willhite, a sophomore outside hitter, saw some time at the varsity level last season, but is expected to play a key role this season.
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