By Chris Parker
Houston volleyball finished 8-15-2 overall last season. This year the Tigers will chase their first double-digit win season since 2015.
Hannah Dzurick will be relied on to do a little bit of everything for Houston. Last year, she led the team in kills (93) while finishing second in assists (143) and digs (110). She earned honorable mention all-conference honors for her efforts.
“Hannah is going to be relied on more heavily as a leader both on and off the court. She is a great all-around player and I’m excited to see what she will do this year,” Houston head coach Loran Richardson said. “I expect Hannah to compete each game and lead her teammates to do the same. She is a very competitive girl, and while I know she will have off nights at times, I expect her to push herself and her team to do their best.”
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Junior Sarah Purcell returns as a middle blocker. She led the team in blocks (18) while finishing runner-up in kills (82) last year.
“She (Purcell) has really improved during the club season and I expect her to have a breakout year. She’s working hard on her own and if she can keep improving, she will have a great season,” Richardson said.
Senior Prairie Nunnery is moving from the middle to right side this year. Classmate Kellsi Gayer will be a key player on defense.
Some newcomers to watch include: Mackenzie Holder (senior outside hitter), Angie Smith (freshman outside hitter), Mali Brookshire (junior setter), Saydie Hughes (senior defensive specialist), Karly Drake (sophomore middle hitter), Janessa Foster (senior defensive specialist/right side), Taylor Burch (sophomore defensive specialist) and Aliyah Walker (sophomore setter).
“Just like every year, I expect them to compete night in and night out,” Richardson said. “No matter who we are playing, we can work hard, play together and have great attitudes. I feel like we have come such a long way in the last few years and I expect us to just keep getting better. Volleyball is tough in our area, but if the girls keep heading in the right direction together, they will continue to be competitors and be successful.”
Houston opens the season on Sept. 1 at Licking.
