By Chris Parker
Hillcrest volleyball won 13 matches in 2022, which was the most for the program since at least 2009. The Lady Hornets had eight seniors on the roster last year including three all-conference players.
This year’s team will be a younger squad after the graduation of that deep senior class.
“We are very young, and we don’t have a lot of experienced players returning, but our returning varsity players we have are going to step up and lead by example,” Hillcrest head coach Deirdre Smith said.
Three of those returning players are seniors Natalie Percival (middle), Haylyn Baker (outside hitter) and Karsyn Ryan (outside hitter).
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Smith on Percival: “Natalie will step into a huge offensive role this season. Natalie led in blocks last season, so she should be big for us on the net offensively and defensively.”
Smith on Baker: “Haylyn is small, but mighty. She works super hard in the front and back row and she is a calm leader.”
Smith on Ryan: “Karsyn has worked very hard in the offseason to improve her game. Karsyn is energetic and aggressive on the court. We will look to Karsyn for big kills, and to pull some aces from the serving line.”
Percival led that group in kills with 159 last season, which was second on the team. She also led the team in total blocks with 75. Ryan had 88 kills and Baker 73 kills.
Chloe Cochran (senior setter/DS), Rosely Figueroa (sophomore libero), Andreia Tindle (senior DS), Alyssa Brison (sophomore), Morgan Cook (junior), Jamyra Parlette (junior) and Lillie Moore (freshman) will all be newcomers to the varsity level.
Hillcrest will travel to Bolivar for a jamboree on Aug. 22 with the host Liberators, Buffalo and School of the Osage. The Lady Hornets open the regular season on Aug. 31 at Willard.
