Anderson County Lady Mavericks
2024 Volleyball Season Preview
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Anderson County labero Emerie Bullock lunges to keep the ball in play during the Lady Mav- ericks’ playday game against Notre Dame. - Tony Cox
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Anderson County’s Alyssa Meier can be dangerous in the air. The senior Lady Mavericks outside hitter goes high and hits hard. - Tony Cox
When Anderson County High School opens its 2024 volleyball season next week, it will be with a young team.
But that doesn’t mean expectations have changed for the Lady Mavericks.
“I think the concept of what we try to do is always the same,” said longtime Head Coach Jayme Smith.
“The fundamental culture of our program doesn’t change, and just because the girls are young, that doesn’t mean that we expect anything less from them,” he said. “They know what we expect when they come in here.”
For the Lady Mavericks, anything other than a trip to Murfreesboro and the Class AA state tournament will be a disappointment.
After missing a trip to the midstate in 2022, Anderson County made it back to Murfreesboro in 2023. The team reached the state semifinals before seeing its season end.
Smith, however, would like to see more.
“We made it to the final four last year, again, and that seems to be where we hit our stumbling block lately,” she said. “It’s been a long time since we’ve won the whole thing.”
The Lady Mavericks last reached the state championship in 2020, where they lost to Nolensville. They won their only state championship in 1999.
They went 33-11 last year, sweeping through the district regular-season schedule and postseason tournament.
They were also region champions and avenged a state sectional loss to Greeneville on their way to Murfreesboro.
This season, Anderson County returns a pair of seniors as outside hitters: Shelby Kelly and Alyssa Meier.
“We’re going to demand a lot out of our seniors,” Smith said. “They have a lot of experience behind them.”
Junior libero and defensive specialist Emmee Blackburn also returns, along with sophomores Bethany Lowe (setter) and Emerie Bullock (libero/defensive specialist).
Smith noted that several players on her roster can fill multiple spots on the court.
“I’m starting two freshmen and a junior this year,” she said.
“One of our strengths is the ability to play multiple positions,” Smith said. “Our girls also go out and try to make plays, and they don’t get down when you correct them. They keep working and they go out and make the next play.
“I have a great group this year,” she said. “They all have each other’s backs, and they pick each other up when they struggle and make mistakes.”
ACHS will open its 2024 campaign against Oak Ridge at home on Monday, with the first serve slated for 6 p.m.