By Chris Parker
Southwest volleyball will have an experienced group of senior leaders this season. Olivia Ayer (middle), Shelbie Pendergraft (right side/setter), Amy Reeves (defensive specialist) and Cloe Brattin (outside hitter) will set the tone for the Lady Trojans.
Ayer has a chance to play all six rotations. She had 93 kills, 97 digs, 6 blocks and served 90% with 28 aces last year. Pendergraft led the team in serving percentage at 92% in her junior season. Reeves came on as a defensive specialist and in serve reception last year. Brattin returns to the program after not playing for a year.
The junior quintet of Oliva Erwin (libero), Anna Church (setter/defensive specialist), Jordan Bayley (middle), Signe Suchowski (outside) and Cammie Uthe (defensive specialist) give Southwest a large group of upperclassmen to lean on.
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Sophomores Lyric Bernard (outside), Juliauan Sierra (right side/setter) and Brooklyn Slye (middle/outside) along with freshmen Kayleigh Tull (middle), Kelsee Merritt (middle/outside hitter), Riley Flippo (outside hitter), Saige Miller (defensive specialist/libero) and Laura Henry (setter/right side) are all underclassmen that will be in the mix for varsity action.
Depth will be a strength for this team according to head coach Steven Voyak. He is entering his 19th season as head coach.
“We always have good numbers, but the freshman class is athletic, competitive, and hardworking and makes us taller, stronger and faster. We have great competition at all varsity spots so that should make for great pre-season practices. I think we could be a strong serving team if the girls put in the time,” Voyak said.
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Voyak would like to see improvement from several facets of the game for Southwest to improve on last year’s six-win campaign.
“We still need to find a setter or two and learn to consistently kill the ball. I think the kills will come when we get better in serve reception and passing,” Voyak said. “Typically, I have a starting lineup for the fall by the summer but not this season. The freshman class and the addition of some new players makes everything wide open. It should make for some interesting pre-season practices.”
Southwest opens the season on Aug. 28 at the Verona Tournament.
