By Chris Parker
Katrina Gockley enters her sixth season as the head coach of the Forsyth volleyball program after a six-win season in 2017. The Lady Panthers will leave the SWCL for the Mid-Lakes Conference this season. They will have to replace their lone all-conference selection in the graduated Baylee Henderson.
“Baylee was a great six rotation player who brought a lot of offense to our team that will be greatly missed,” Gockley said.
Junior Emily Shipman and sophomore Haley McCown will be the key hitters for Forsyth. Sophomore Katrina Drake will serve as the setter with senior Kyndra Drake and junior Anna Drake taking on the libero and defensive specialist roles.
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Candace Swank will move up to the varsity level this season at middle hitter. Three freshmen in Emmalea Cook, Audrey Kleeman and Landry Stuart will likely see varsity time. Cook is a six-rotation player while Kleeman is a middle hitter and Stuart is an outside/right side hitter.
Forsyth will be young, but a strong offseason has the Lady Panthers ready to go in 2018.
“We are a young team this year, with only one Senior, but we have had a pretty successful summer and look forward to what this season holds,” Gockley said.
Forsyth will host Ava, Billings and Crane on Aug. 23 for a jamboree. The Lady Panthers will open the season on Aug. 28 against new conference opponent Skyline.
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