Hays’ Hannah Ramsey gets ready to set the ball to one of her teammates during the Rebel Bash. Hays opens the District 27-4A season Friday at Smithson Valley. (Photo by Cyndy Slovak-Barton)
by JASON GORDON
Hays head coach Erica Walther has seen her young team suffer through growing pains and aches and pains during the non-district season.
Ups and downs have been the norm this year as the Lady Rebels try to find some consistency heading into 27-4A play, which begins Friday at Smithson Valley.
Hays went 2-2 on Thursday at the Rebel Bash, and lost all three of its games on Saturday.
On Saturday, where Hays lost to eventual tournament champion Wimberley (25-17, 25-10), El Paso Riverside (25-17, 25-23), and Sinton (25-15, 25-19), the Lady Rebels were playing without Kaylea Beck, who leads the team in kills.
The injury bug has plagued Hays all season as starters Beck, Emily Clark and Leslie Simoneau, and key reserve Shelby Nelson have all missed playing time.
“I would have liked to see some of our younger players step up and shine when they had a chance to fill some pretty big shoes,” Walther said. “We’re just not quite there yet. I think we definitely still have a chance to turn things around because I really believe in the potential this team has.”
Hays, which knocked off Bellville and LBJ for its two victories during the Rebel Bash, has played numerous close matches in the non-district season, but wins have been few and far between. The Lady Rebels’ record is 9-20 as the district season nears.
“I’m absolutely disappointed we don’t have more wins,” Walther said. “No one likes to have a losing record. I think there are still good things happening, and I don’t see this team losing confidence. They are continuing to work hard to improve, and that’s really what the matches before district are all about.”
Walther said she doesn’t think the team is too far from turning the corner.
“We need to learn how to put the ball away and finish off points better on offense,” she said. “At times we’ve been really good, but we need to be more consistent, especially once district begins.”
Clark said the Lady Rebs are looking forward to the district season.
“We’ve played some really tough teams in tournaments and regular matches to get ready for district,” Clark said. “I think we’re ready to come out and fight and battle in district play. We want to go to playoffs more than anything, so we know it’s time to start playing our best volleyball.”
Walther said she still thinks her team will be in the playoff picture at the end of its district run.
“We just need to start firing on all cylinders,” Walther said. “We need to play with a sense of urgency, because the competition will be tough in 27-4A, but I definitely think we have a good shot at making the playoffs.”
After traveling to Smithson Valley Friday, the Lady Rebs will continue 27-4A play Sept. 14, at Clemens, before returning home to host Canyon in district action Sept. 17.
