Middlesex JV volleyball off to good start
 |
| Middlesex JV players Shelby Lewter and Breanna Tabor (right) block a shot against Essex. |
The Middlesex High JV volleyball team’s 3-0 start has coach Laura Norris optimistic about the new season.
“I was thrilled to have the opportunity to accept the JV Volleyball coaching position,” she said. “This season, I hope these girls learn how to compete well, do their best, improve on their volleyball skills, and strive to win… but most of all, have fun.”
Middlesex defeated W&L, Essex and Rappahannock in recent non-district action.
Norris, a new teacher in the Middlesex Public Schools, said she could not ask for a better group of girls. “They practice hard and play hard. We are going to continue to set our goals high and do anything to reach them,” she said.
The JV Lady Chargers co-captains are two returning players, sophomores Allison Payne and Jordan Walton, who also are the two main setters. “They both lead by their actions and are always there for their teammates,” said Norris.
Another returning player is sophomore Brooke Rowe. “She’s the most vocal person on the court,” said Norris. “Once she starts swinging harder, she will become a big threat at the net.”
Sophomore Breanna Tabor is a returning player with “a killer serve.” She had 11 aces in the Lady Chargers’ win against W&L on August 26.
Returning freshman Sarah Ann Goodrich is an outside hitter. “She has great power and quickness,” said Norris. “Hopefully, we will see lots of kills out of her throughout the season.”
Sophomore Rachel Crews, who was on last year’s JV team, and 8th-grader Chelsea Hall are in training as opposite hitters, Norris said. “They’ll be a jack-of-all trades. They will block, attack, and set the ball if the setter is unable to do so.”
New players include 8th-graders Shelby Lewter and Taylor Shores. “They are our twin towers. Both are learning the ropes as middles,” said Norris. “They both are catching on quickly. We are still focusing on learning how to read, react, and move quickly in response to an opponent’s setter and offense. They will then be able to reach over the net and stuff them.”
Emma Walton, another 8th-grader, is a setter in training. “We will be using her to serve quite a bit in the games to come,” said Norris.
Eighth-grader Angel Abbott is catching on well with her passing. “Once she becomes more consistent with defending the ball in front of her and to the side of her effectively, we might see her as a libero by the end of the season.”
Morgan Blake, an 8th-grader, really covers ground on the court, said Norris. “When I think that no one will be able to get to the ball, Morgan always shows up with a perfect pass. Morgan is always improving and she also could be seen as a libero or an outside hitter before the season is over.”
The Middlesex varsity and JV volleyball teams host Lancaster on Tuesday, September 7, and are at W&L on Thursday, September 9. JV games are at 6 p.m. and the varsity plays at 7:30 p.m.
