The Courier News

One goal: Play into November

Digging for a return to state

July 22, 2026 by Ken Lay

Anderson County rising senior Bethany Lowe drops low to dig a serve while teammate Emerie Bullock backs up the play during a 2025 season match. Lowe and Bullock will be key returning leaders as the Lady Mavericks set their sights on another deep postseason run in the 2026 volleyball season. - Tony Cox

As the 2026 high school volleyball season approaches, the expectation remains the same for Anderson County High School and veteran Coach Jayme Smith.

The Lady Mavericks have their sights set on the Class AAA state tournament in Murfreesboro.

“You know where we want to be when the time comes,” said Smith, who begins her 17th season as Anderson County’s head coach. “We want to be playing in the state tournament.

“But we have to get past our district and our region to get a chance to get there.”

The Lady Mavericks finished 23-17 in 2025, while steadily improving throughout the season.

That culminated with the District 3-AAA tournament championship after entering as the No. 5 seed.

After a difficult start, Anderson County advanced to the Region 2-AAA tournament championship match before falling to District 4-AAA champion William Blount.

The Lady Mavericks’ season ended with a loss to Dobyns-Bennett in the Class AAA sectional round.

Clinton serves up state aspirations

July 22, 2026 by Ken Lay

Clinton defensive specialist Jailie Rodd stretches out to dig a ball during the Lady Dragons’ match against Oak Ridge in the 2025 season as teammate Maggie Turbyville provides coverage behind the play. Both are expected to play pivotal roles as Clinton pursues a Region 2-AAA championship and a berth in the 2026 state tournament. - Tony Cox

Since Lorri Johnson took over the Clinton High School volleyball program, she has transformed the Lady Dragons into one of East Tennessee’s perennial contenders.

Johnson enters her fifth season as Clinton’s head coach. During her first four years, the Lady Dragons have reached three consecutive Region 2-AAA tournaments, captured two District 3-AAA tournament championships, and finished as the district tournament runner-up in 2025.

Clinton posted a 27-14 record last season, but the Lady Dragons still have unfinished business.

They finished second in the district regular-season standings and have qualified for the regional tournament in each of the past three seasons.

However, they have yet to win a region tournament match under Johnson.

They hope to change that in 2026.

Mavs eye return to state fairway

July 22, 2026 by Ken Lay

Anderson County’s Max Stanfil follows through on a shot during the 2025 TSSAA state golf championships at Sevierville Golf Club. Stanfil finished third at the regional tournament before placing sixth at the state tournament. Now a sophomore, he returns to lead the Mavericks as they pursue a deep postseason run and a berth in the 2026 state championships. - Tony Cox

The Anderson County High School golf teams are coming off successful 2025 seasons, and both the Mavericks and Lady Mavericks have lofty expectations entering the 2026 campaign.

The Anderson County boys captured the district championship last season and tied for the region title, but narrowly missed a berth in the TSSAA state tournament after losing a tiebreaker to Kingston.

The Lady Mavericks also tied for the region championship, but were denied a team trip to the state tournament after falling to Alcoa in postseason competition.

Head Coach Dallas Cole returns for his second season at Anderson County and believes both squads are poised for another strong year.

“These players all had a very good summer,” Cole said. “We had a good season last year. Both teams tied for the region championship, and both missed a chance to go to state because we lost in a tiebreaker, and that’s tough.

Mavericks pin hopes on Sesan

July 22, 2026 by Ken Lay

Anderson County High School recently named Sean Sesnan as the new head coach of its wrestling program.

He replaces Matt Slone, who resigned following the 2025-26 season after building the Mavericks into a state championship-caliber program.

Slone started the program from the ground up, and over the past four seasons, Anderson County has produced multiple state-tournament qualifiers.

The Mavericks have also made multiple appearances in the TSSAA state duals championships in recent years.

Oak Ridge looks to spike expectations in 2026

July 22, 2026 by Ken Lay

Camryn McGinnis celebrates a point during the 2025 volleyball season for Oak Ridge. McGinnis is one of four returning seniors who will lead the Lady Wildcats into the 2026 campaign as Oak Ridge looks to build on the momentum it gained last season and contend in a highly competitive District 3-AAA. - Kirah Colston | ORHS Sports Media

As Oak Ridge High School volleyball Coach Meghan Ellis prepares for her second season, she has lofty expectations for her team.

“I expect us to be a contender in the district and the region,” Ellis said. “I expect us to be competitive against every team we play.”

The Lady Wildcats didn’t advance to the Region 2-AAA tournament last season, but they showed flashes of promise.

The District 3-AAA race is expected to be one of the area’s most competitive in 2026. Anderson County is coming off the district tournament championship after claiming the tournament title and finishing as the Region 2-AAA runner-up.

Knox Central captured the regular-season district championship, while Clinton advanced to the regional tournament for the third consecutive season.

Powell and Knoxville Halls also figure to contend.

Young Mavericks pack annual football camp

July 22, 2026

The Anderson County High School football team recently hosted 138 players at its annual youth football camp. Campers, ranging in age from 5 to 14, participated in drills while wearing full pads. Gary Terry, Anderson County athletic director and assistant head football coach, said he was pleased with the success of the 2026 edition of the camp. “This may be the best camp that we have had,” he said. “We had a great turnout from our area youth league and both Norris and Lake City Middle. I would like to thank all the campers and their folks for coming to Maverickland and being a part of such a great tradition.” - Submitted

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