LEBANON NEWS 2023 VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW:
Honaker volleyball rolled through the Black Diamond District in 2022, going 8-0 in the regular season. But in the BDD tournament, finals fell to Grundy, and Chilhowie eliminated the Tigers in the Region 1D tournament, as they lost their final two matches.
As the saying in southwest Virginia goes, it’s out of the frying pan and into the fire for the Lady Tigers.
They move from the BDD to the powerful Hogoheegee District. Three from the Hogo made the Region 1D final four, and Chilhowie defeated Patrick Henry in the regional finals.
“We knew volleyball would probably be the toughest sport in the move,” Honaker coach Misty Miller said. “The Hogoheegee has had some great volleyball teams that contended for state. We have to be ready for every game that we play.”
The Tigers only return five players with varsity experience, so 2023 will be a rebuilding year. “We’re young across the floor,” Miller said. “There will be a lot of new girls that will have to step up and see time. We have to work hard each day. In the last two years, we’ve lost a lot of seniors. We’re bringing up new girls each year to get them used to the varsity level.”
Hitting on the outside will be seniors Kate Jessee and Kadence Keen. Running the offense will be senior setter Valeigh Stevens.
“All three seniors have done a great job starting out,” Miller said. “I feel all three will step up and be leaders for this team. Kate is All-Region from last year; she does an excellent job and is very consistent. Kadence is very athletic. Valeigh does a good job leading on the floor as a setter. I’m expecting big things from those three.”
Stevens will have a pivotal role quarterbacking the Tigers and is also stellar on the service line.
“We just want to play hard, give good effort every night and do our best,” Stevens said. “I’m confident that I can get it to the hitters. I have a lot of hope in this team.
“I think the key will be effort every game and avoiding drama. Having good team chemistry is so important in this sport.”
Stevens will have some options up front in addition to Jessee and Keen. McKenzie Lowe (jr.) and Carey Keene (so.), who moved from Lebanon, will provide punch as middle hitters. Lydia McGlothlin (jr.) will be a factor on the outside at the net.
Providing experience will be libero Kalli Miller (jr.), another All-Region performer, and defensive specialist Haidyn Halsey (jr.). Graceson Whited (jr.) and Lydia McGlothlin (jr.) will add to the defense. A couple of sophomores with talent are Jaiden Thompson and Lincoln Bush.
Patrick Henry won the regular season championship in the Hogo last year. There was a four-way tie for second place. It should again be an exciting race in 2023.
“It will be different, different schedule and people,” Stevens said. “It will be stiff competition, but I think it will help us in the long run.”