By Chris Parker
Blue Eye volleyball won five matches in 2023 and six the season before. The six-win season snapped a streak of five consecutive seasons of above .500 records.
Entering the second year under head coach Alexis Mitchell, Blue Eye is looking to climb back above .500 with four upperclassmen returning who saw action in at least 71 of the 73 varsity sets last season.
That group includes Angelina Bettlach (senior setter), Emmalee Litel (senior middle hitter), Chloe Kilgore (junior middle hitter) and Raigan Crumb (junior defensive specialist).
Bettlach led the team with 202 assists last season.
“Angelina is a returning starting setter for our team,” Mitchell said. S”he has a great work ethic every day and has been a really great leader for us this summer. She is very smart, quick to the ball and makes a lot of scrappy plays to keep the ball alive. She is a consistent player for us, and I am looking forward to seeing her continue to grow and improve her game as we get back in the gym.”
Litel led Blue Eye in kills as a junior with 159. She was also a weapon from the service line with 33 aces.
“Emmalee is a very competitive and intense player,” Mitchell said. “She is very eager to get better and improve her game and has worked hard this summer to improve her game in all areas. I have really high expectations for Emmalee this fall. Emmalee has been a great leader for us this summer and I will be expecting this same thing this upcoming season.”
Kilgore wasn’t far behind Litel in kills with 134. She led Blue Eye with 24 total blocks and 417 serve receptions.
“Chloe is our other middle that did a lot of great things for us last season as a sophomore,” Mitchell said. “She is a hard worker who is always working to improve her game offensively and defensively. She had a great summer, and I am excited to see how she continues to improve her game this season.”
Crumb was second on the team in serve receptions with 417 as a sophomore.
“She (Crumb) gained great varsity experience last season which I believe will benefit her this upcoming season as a junior,” Mitchell said. “Raigan has worked hard all summer long and has been eager to improve. I am excited to see what she does this fall.”
Blue Eye has a large group of freshmen who could compete for time right away.
“The incoming freshman group is a fun and competitive group that I think will bring a good energy to the gym,” Mitchell said. “It can be quite a big adjustment going from the speed of junior high ball to high school ball, and the reps that we gained over the summer I believe will help them adjust to the speed of the game this upcoming season. They are a group that is eager and hungry to get better. I am excited for them to continue to grow after a great summer.”
The freshmen include Coral Fultz (outside hitter), Annistin Craig (outside hitter), Molly Morgan (setter) and Sophi Kilgore (middle hitter/right side).
Mitchell on Fultz: “Coral has been very committed to improving her game in the offseason and made great improvements over the summer. She is an extremely hard worker, coachable, and has been very open to whatever role she is asked to step into. She has the potential to make a great impact on varsity this upcoming season.”
Mitchell on Craig: “Is a great competitor who brings a calmer presence to the floor. She is a positive voice for the team and is one of our hardest workers. She is another player that has great potential to make an impact on varsity, and I am excited to see her continue to improve during the season.”
Mitchell on Morgan: “Molly had a great summer. Transitioning from junior high setting to high school setting can be tough because of the speed of the game, but she adjusted well and continues to improve every time we are in the gym. She will step into a big role for us, we are excited to see what she does for us.”
Mitchell on Kilgore: “Sophie is a very smart and intense player. This summer she took on a new position and was very coachable in this position and kept a great attitude. She adjusted really well and works hard each day. I am excited to see what she brings to the court this upcoming season.”
Sophomores Meleah Mitchell and Rilee Crumb will also work for time on the varsity level.
Coach Mitchell on Meleah Mitchell: “Meleah saw some varsity time towards the end of last season. She takes on a few different roles for our team and is always open to stepping into the role that is going to be best for the team. I am excited to see how she grows over this season.”
Coach Mitchell on Crumb: “Rilee did not see very much varsity time last season but had some opportunities this summer. Rilee brings a great energy to the team by her positive attitude and constant encouragement to her teammates. She too takes on any role that is asked of her.”
The mix of returning players and new have made for competitive practices.
“We have a very competitive group of incoming freshmen and a competitive returning group,” Mitchell said. “This has really amped up our practices and has really challenged the girls to compete each day for their position. It is going to be fun to see who steps up and gets a chance to compete on the varsity court.”
Blue Eye travels to Sparta for a jamboree on Aug. 27 before opening the regular season on Aug. 31 at the Verona Invitational.
“With it being year two at Blue Eye, the girls have a better understanding of what my expectations are,” Mitchell said. “This has allowed us to work and focus on different things this summer that we were not able to last summer. We expect the girls to go out each night and compete how we train; with heart, discipline, good attitudes and effort. We believe we are moving in the right direction and want the girls to believe they are too and can win no matter who is on the other side of the net.”
