By Chris Parker

Fall 2019 Preview: Fair Grove Volleyball

By Chris Parker

Fair Grove volleyball will have a different look this season after graduating a group of seven seniors that included five all-conference players and two all-state selections.

“Last year’s seniors were such a hard working group. They helped develop our leaders by leading by example. Their success and work ethic will be something that future Eagles look at for years to come,” Fair Grove head coach Tonya Peck said.

That group included five of Fair Grove’s top six hitters in terms of kills along with the leaders in aces, blocks, digs, assists and five of the six top players in serve-receives.

That amount of production will not be replaced easily.

“Honestly, we will never replace our graduates. That is a yearly thing. What we do plan on doing is focusing on the talent we do have this year and making it the best it can possibly be. We have already taken strides this summer to becoming a different team; one that has different strengths than last year’s group. This summer has shown some great promise for the fall,” Peck said.

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Marannatha Holliman will be a senior leader after finishing second in assists for Fair Grove last year with 342.

“Maranntha has set for us since she was a freshman. Each year I have expected her to mature as a setter. This year will be no different. She understands that her maturity as a setter will be very important for our team to continue to get better. We have talked this summer and she knows that she will have to go all out every single play. She has worked hard this summer and I’m excited to see her help lead from the setter position this year,” Peck said. “We need her to be all in every play, whether it is in her defense, running the offense, or even just setting a block. She knows that her effort level will be what the rest of her teammates build on.”

Senior outside hitter Bailee Morgan is the only other returning player that was in the lineup last year. She will be the go-to hitter for Fair Grove this season after putting down 71 kills last year.

Both Holliman and Morgan were three-rotation players last year that will be counted upon to play all six rotations this season.

Lizzy Gravitt (senior middle), Maddie Clark (senior outside hitter/setter), Liz Holland (senior defensive specialist), Sarah Beals (junior right side), Lauren Kennard (junior middle) and Chloe Reynaud (sophomore defensive specialist) are new players to watch on Fair Grove’s varsity squad this year.

Versatility will be a strength for Fair Grove volleyball this year.

“We have many options. Throughout the summer we have worked on many rotations. With each rotation we have tried I have found individual strengths in my players that have helped build, what I believe to be, a rotation best suited for this group. What is great about trying new things is that I have confidence that this group can switch a rotation at any time and be ok,” Peck said. “We have worked so hard this summer on ball control and doing the little things. I have seen so much growth in the mental side of our game and feel like this will be the key to a post season run.”

Though the names have changed, Peck’s expectations for her team have not.

“Year in and year out, my expectations are the same. We are to work hard to get better, learn to out-smart our opponents, and to love each other. And as always, a postseason run is on our list of goals,” Peck said.

Fair Grove will travel to Republic on Aug. 27 for a jamboree with Parkview, Rogersville and the host Lady Tigers. Fair Grove opens the regular season on Sept. 3 at home against Mt. Vernon.