Hays outside hitter Kaylea Beck tries to power the ball through the block of teammates Jessica Williams (left) and Kelsea Sadler during two-a-day workouts on Monday. The Lady Rebels are scheduled to scrimmage at New Braunfels High on Friday.
By JASON GORDON
The anticipation for Monday’s first official practice of the season grew stronger for Hays volleyball players as each July day peeled away from the calendar.
“This past week has been pretty unbearable,” said middle blocker Jessica Williams. “We were all just waiting for Monday to come around. It’s a great feeling to be back out here today.”
Fellow front-line player Kelsea Sadler agreed the Lady Rebs had their game faces on the moment they stepped on the court.
“It’s really good to get back into it,” Sadler said. “I was anxious and nervous at first, but once you get on the court all that goes away. I’m really excited we’re back and practicing again.”
After four straight seasons with playoff success, the Lady Rebs are coming off a year in which they were knocked out in the first round of the postseason.
“We’re looking forward to starting something with this group of players,” said Hays outside hitter Kaylea Beck. “We’re ready to build a new chapter. I think we have the talent to go a lot farther than the first round of the playoffs this year.”
Hays head coach Erica Walther will first have to mold a group of varsity veterans with several talented newcomers.
“I’m excited because we have a lot more depth at every position on the court than we’ve had in my previous two years at Hays,” Walther said. “There will be some healthy competition for playing time. Those battles will make us stronger in the long run. I definitely don’t have a set starting lineup right now.”
Walther said she is very pleased with her team’s attitude in the early going.
“The dynamic of our team is really great,” she said. “Our goals, as always, are to do well in district and peak in the playoffs.We have a tough non-district schedule and district will obviously be difficult, but we have the tools in place to be a very competitive team if we continue to work hard and stay motivated.”
Starting sophomore setter Hannah Ramsey will be one of the younger varsity members counted on to play a big role this season.
“I just couldn’t wait for volleyball to start again,” said Ramsey. “I was ready to get out here and start competing. The only pressure I personally feel is to make sure I get to know my hitters and where they like their sets. From what I see we have talent-wise, I definitely expect this team to be successful.”
Hays plays in a preseason scrimmage at New Braunfels High against several other area teams on Friday. The Lady Rebels then open the regular season with a home match against LaGrange on Aug. 10.
Hays will also play in the Westwood Tournament and the New Braunfels Fraulein Tournament, before hosting its own Rebel Bash tourney.
Play in the new District 27-4A starts when the Lady Rebels travel to Smithson Valley High on Sept. 10.
