Year two of volleyball at East Webster got going last Tuesday night in Cumberland with the Lady Wolverines looking to get off to a good start.
Challenges were in the way for that to happen, however, as the EWHS squad was without six varsity players and four starters. The shorthanded Lady Wolverines took one on the chin thanks in large part to that and lost to Mooreville in straight sets, 3-0.
“We had a lot of junior varsity girls playing which was good because it gave them time to play. I can’t wait to get my girls back and I can get my setter back (Wednesday), but it is what it is,” coach Dallas McCracken said. “I’m afraid this is how it’s going to be all year (dealing with COVID).”
The Lady Wolverines were playing from behind all game against Mooreville starting with the opening set when the team fell behind 19-9. EWHS wasn’t able to recover from that as the visitors would take the 25-13 win in set one.
After winning 25-16, Mooreville got out to a 20-12 lead. But the Lady Wolverines fired back and scored five-straight points to cut into it. Eventually, EWHS would tie it up at 21 and make it a brand new ball game. But Mooreville finished out the set and the match as the visitors took home a 25-22 win.
“We got better as time went. We learned how to run an offense this summer and we’re understanding that. Defensively, we’ve got some work to do. Blocking, we’ve got some work to do because we’re in the net and we’re spectating on the back row,” McCracken said. “It’s going to come and I think the ones we’re missing will be able to do that for us. I like the fight overall on the last set.”
The Lady Wolverines followed up the first match of the year by going to Union on Saturday to play a couple of games. The first game was against Class 4A opponent West Lauderdale in which the Lady Wolverines came up short in a hard fought battle, 3-1. EWHS was able to get its first win of the year by beating Clarksdale 2-0.
McCracken is in her second year teaching the game to the players so the team and coach have all had to learn together, but she’s also seen vast improvement over the last year. Following a season where the team got a chance to experience the game as a team for the first time and play in the playoffs, last year was a great learning tool but they’re moving forward.
Now, when her team is at full strength, McCracken can see the strides that were made. She understands that COVID is going to remain a part of things and could mess up team chemistry this year, but she’s thankful for any extended period the team gets together.
“Thank the Lord we are not at ground zero. Just running the offense is huge and confidence in our swing,” McCracken said. “I just want them to communicate more and get excited playing with energy. We’ve come a long way but we’ve got to remember we’re still a second year team. There’s going to be bumps in the road with growing pains.”
