By Chris Parker
Licking volleyball posted a fourth consecutive 20-win season last year with a 20-10-3 overall record. That team had just three seniors on the roster.
“We were inexperienced last season, but our girls are athletes with a strong drive to excel and desire to win. They had the biggest hearts and a willingness to learn and adapt,” Licking head coach Terry Moncrief said.
Senior Kiley Taylor returns after leading Licking in kills (202), digs (327) and serve receptions (199).
“She (Taylor) started playing volleyball at a young age, she can play any position, watches and studies game film and has an incredible feel of the game. It is second nature to her. She can read other team’s movements, anticipate and find holes to score points,” Moncrief said. “My leadership expectations for Kylie this year is to be my voice on the court, to make her team better. I expect her to be able to read the other team and put our players in positions for their success.”
Junior Abbie Sullins will play middle. She led the Lady Wildcats in aces last year with 28. She also contributed 128 kills, 218 digs and 116 assists.
“Abbie has put all aspects of the game together,” Moncrief said. “She is a vital piece of our team offensively and defensively. She will be a force to be reckoned with this season.”
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Sophomore Hannah Medlock’s varsity impact will increase this year as an outside hitter.
“Hannah has transformed into a dominant outside. We will look to her power to put the ball on the floor,” Moncrief said. “In addition to offense, she puts together a complete game with her strong defensive skills.”
Top blocker Kiley Ingram returns to the middle for her senior year after leading the team with 19 blocks last year.
“We will look to Kylie to make an impact in our blocking game. She has become a dynamic middle blocker, improving her timing and speed,” Moncrief said.
Maci Sparks will be a key piece of the serving game in her junior year.
“Maci is a key server and will cause chaos from behind the serving line. We will also look to Maci to make an impact with her solid offensive and defensive skills,” Moncrief said.
Senior Winter Murray has stepped up as a right side hitter.
“Winter stepped into the right side position this summer, her length and timing on the block will give opposing teams outsides trouble this season,” Moncrief said.
Junior transfer Kyleigh Smith and freshman Linzie Wallace will be newcomers to the varsity lineup.
“Kyleigh is new to our team this season after transferring mid school year. She will be an asset to our team helping our girls our on the back row,” Moncrief said. “Linzie has been a role player this summer by stepping into any role we needed her in. We will look to her to make an impact at varsity level this season.”
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Licking will be a potent offensive team this year.
“Our biggest strength this year is our length, it will be difficult for some teams to hit over us. We also have more offensive threats, Abbie and Hannah are both hitting extremely well, Maci is placing the ball well and Kiley and Winter are much stronger at the net this year,” Moncrief said. “The girls have proven to themselves that they can compete. Now, we need to work out a few offensive and defensive weaknesses, keep a positive attitude and work as a team.”
Conditioning will be a focus for Licking entering the second season of playing a best-of-five format for matches.
“The biggest lesson I learned about the five set format is you have to be mentally and physically prepared,” Moncrief said. “We make sure we are well conditioned, and our legs strong. We keep our practices fast paced and game like, as much as possible, to keep us mentally ready.”
Licking opens the season on Aug. 30 at Liberty.
“Our expectation for this season is to make a deep post-season run,” Moncrief said.
