By Chris Parker
Plato volleyball has won at least 10 matches in five consecutive seasons. The Eagles return five starters from last season’s 10-14-1 squad looking to help Plato to its first winning season since 2016.
“I am hoping their experience from last season will help take them a little further in the post season, and hopefully a District championship,” Plato head coach Angela Barton said.
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Senior Cara Couch is moving from outside hitter to middle hitter this year. Couch, a first-team all-district selection last year, led Plato in kills with 148 and serve receptions with 233.
“She (Couch) is the team’s go-to for leadership and she is quickly understanding how to find the holes and play smarter-not-harder,” Barton said.
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Classmate Ramsey Crews will be playing opposite Couch in the middle. She was a second-team all-district selection last year.
“Crews is long and quick and when she figures out how strong she is, she will cause trouble for other teams,” Barton said.
Kara Copely ran the offense as a setter last year, but will move to an outside hitting role this year. She had 338 total assists last year, which helped her to second-team all-district honors.
Sophomores Kaylee Copley and Brenna Couch made an immediate impact as freshmen last year, and they should see their roles expand this year.
Senior Cecilia Groves will play setter. Incoming freshmen Makayla Fletcher and Sierra Thompson may see some varsity time as their experience grows.
“We are a small school but this senior class is athletic and hungry. They need to communicate well with each other and play as a fluid unit to be successful this year,” Barton said.
Plato opens the season on Aug. 30 at Mansfield.
