Lady Mavs want to ‘win the thing,’ not just get back to state
The 2023 Anderson County Lady Mavericks volleyball team includes, front row from left, Eberle Mayes, Dakotah Berlin, Jaylynn Bullock, Emme Blackburn, Gracie Hayes, and Catelyn Tackett. Middle row from left, Keiana Gillum, Anaya Witkowski, Delaney Long, Bethany Lowe, Emerie Bullock, Jaycee Phillps, and Stella Farrow. Back row from left, Shelby Kel- ly, Kyra Damewood, Emily Mustard, Faith Graham, Kennley Reid, Kenzie Wilkerson, Megyn Templin, and Alli Mckamey. Not pictured: Alyssa Meier and Elle Long
ACHS, however, didn’t make it to the Midstate in 2022 as it dropped a state sectional match at home to Greeneville to end its campaign. The Lady Mavericks did go 27-18 and win both the District 3-AA and Region 2-AA tournament championships after finishing second in the regular-season standings to Gibbs.
And the Lady Mavericks did win 27 matches last season with just one senior on their roster.
But what a difference a year makes.
Anderson County has seven seniors on its 2023 roster, including six who saw significant playing time and made big contributions last season.
Thus, the Lady Mavericks have some great expectations for the coming 2023 campaign, which opens with a stiff road test at Oak Ridge High School on Aug. 14 at Wildcat Arena.
ORHS will look to compete for the District 3-AAA crown this season, along with Clinton and Karns.
The expectations are always high at Anderson County as anything short of a trip to the Volunteer State’s grand stage in Murfreesboro is a disappointment.
But this year, Smith wants more, much more.
“I think we’re always at or near the very top,” said Smith, who will begin her 14th season at the helm of the Lady Mavericks. “We were disappointed last year when we lost in the sectional to Greeneville.
“And the girls know that they have to be more mentally ready to go, and we don’t want to just go (to the state). We want to win the thing. It’s been so long since we’ve won it. We’ve been in so many (semifinal) games and in so many championship games, and we’ve lost all of them and I’m tired of losing them.”
The senior class features six players back from last year. The veterans include: Ebby Mayes (defensive specialist); Gracie Hayes (defensive specialist); Kyra Damewood (senior, right side player); Jaylynn Bullock (setter); Kennley Reid (senior, middle blocker) and Faith Graham (middle blocker).
Senior Emily Mustard rejoins the fray this season and will provide additional depth in the middle for Anderson County. A top basketball player for the Lady Mavs, Mustard hasn’t played volleyball since her freshman year.
Anderson County also has a trio of juniors who saw plenty of action last season, as outside hitters Shelby Kelly and Alyssa Meier return, along with defensive specialist Catelyn Tackett.
Smith said she has depth across the court and that her squad also features size on the front row.
“I have some really big girls and I think that will work in our favor,” she said. “Offense will definitely be a big strength for us.
“Jaylynn, Alyssa and Kyra have all been to the (state semifinals), and we have a really tall team this year.
“I also have some depth in the back row, and I have girls that I can switch out if I need to, if somebody’s having a bad day.”
The coach said that her team’s serve-receive has proved to be a question mark in early workouts.
“Our serve-receive has been an area of concern for us since we started about two weeks ago,” Smith said. “It doesn’t do you any good to have tall girls in the front row if you can’t get the ball up there to them.”