By Chris Parker
Houston volleyball has a new head coach in Julia Sloan this season. Sloan was previously at Cabool from 2018-22. The Bulldogs won back-to-back SCA championships and a district title in her time as head coach at Cabool.
Sloan inherits a program coming off back-to-back 20-win seasons including a 22-10-1 season a year ago. When the Houston head coaching job opened up, it was a perfect fit.
“Coach (Loran) Richardson had established a well-built program with a firm foundation,” Sloan said. “Having coached in the conference I was familiar with some of the girls and thought it would be a good fit for them and myself. I also am married to the head football coach Eric Sloan, and we live in Houston. The pieces just kind of fell together.”
The returning Lady Tigers have put in a strong offseason of work ahead of the 2023 season.
“The weight room was our friend this summer and I look forward to that paying off for us as well as our time on the court,” Sloan said.
The Lady Tigers return some talented players led by senior Class 3 All-State selection Angie Smith. Smith led the team in kills with 321 as a junior. She also led the team in digs (396) and serve receptions (400).
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“Angie knows how to place the ball and is very smart. She is who we look to for putting the ball away a lot of the time. She is a great kid, who wants to win more than anything. She has a lot of drive and grit,” Sloan said. “I expect her to do just that (be a senior leader) and lead the team. A lot of the other girls look up to her and I think that says a lot about her as a player.”
Sophomore Kayla Wagner returns to her setting position coming off an all-conference freshman season. She had 282 assists in 2022.
“Kayla is very smart and has great hands,” Sloan said. “I hope that her experience as a freshman will help lead the team to be successful in the setting department.”
Senior Kelsey Pritchett (middle hitter) along with juniors Morgan McKinney (setter) and Cadence Wade (defensive specialist) also return to the varsity team. Pritchett had 112 kills while leading the team in blocks with 51 last season.
This experienced core of players will be the team’s strength this season.
“I think we have some great experience and great leadership,” Sloan said. “We have a lot of returning players that have varsity experience.”
Gracyn McNeil (sophomore DS/L), Kynlee Weaver (sophomore MH), Makinley Aaron (junior OH), Anna Gale (senior DS) and Maddie Holder (senior OH) will be newcomers to varsity this season.
These newcomers coupled with the experienced returning players have Houston aiming for big things this season.
“I expect us to compete every day, every game. I think we have the talent and skills to be in the running for a conference title this year as well as a district title,” Sloan said. “We need to stay healthy as well as keep our mindset right.”
Houston will host a jamboree with Cabool and Willow Springs on Aug. 24. The Lady Tigers open the regular season on Aug. 29 at home against Licking.
