Friday, the Lady Chargers opened their first game of the season. The Chargers fell in a 3-1 decision to the Neshoba Central Rockets after they couldn’t force a game five.
In a game one, the Chargers fell 18-25; in game two, Rockets pulled away 13-25. But in game three, the Chargers fought back, taking it 25-17. However, in game four the Chargers trailed and couldn’t force game five, dropping to the Rockets 21-25.
The Lady Chargers should not get down on their performance though, they proved they are hungry and tough, and once they find their groove, will be a contender this season.
Coach Miranda Worrell said she was proud of the performance her girls gave.
“I was very proud of the performance in the first, third, and fourth sets. They worked hard, tried to keep the energy up, and competed well. It was an overall good first outing,” she said.
Worrell said in the second game, her girls’ adrenaline went down a little, making it a little hard for them to shake back and adjust to the Rockets game.
Worrell said one of things she wants to work on is the mental aspect.
“I think they need to work more on the mental aspect of the game. Brushing off mistakes and staying positive,” she said. “[In game two] We also started to get fatigued at that point (adrenaline wore off) so we made mistakes in defensive positioning. They also had to adjust to some strategies that NC started implementing.”
One of the Lady Chargers standouts during the game against the Rockets was Makenzie Sanders.
Sanders finished with an ace, 26 receptions, 22 digs, 8 kills, 28% kills, and two blocks.
At several points in the matches, Rockets defenders doubled Sanders, attempting to throw her off. But Sanders fought back.
“She’s really made an effort to improve her game. She’s always been strong, but she’s working on putting the ball where she wants it and consistency. She should be a good senior leader this season,” Worrell said.
Other leaders in the game were
Maylee Hollis - 100% serving, 16 digs, 5 assists, and 27% kills; Evee Stevens - 95% serving, 25 receptions, 96% receiving, and 25 digs; Molly Kate Thomas - 100% serving, .316 hitting%, and 2 blocks; Simmons Brooks - 1 ace, and 6 assists; Kami Beard - 10 digs, 5 kills, 31% kills, and 3 blocks; Jalia James - 4 kills, 33% kills, and 2 blocks; and Kate Beard - 2 blocks.
In the junior varsity game against the Rockets, it was freshman leader Olivia Alashti that stood out.
“She’s worked hard to get back into the swing of things. She tore her ACL last year and missed some of the season plus most of the offseason. She got back in the spring and is really putting in the work to catch back up,” Worrell said.
For some of the Chargers, it was their first game as members of the Volleyball team, but with freshman leadership from Alashti as well as Denaria Coleman and Jayla Kirkwood, the Lady Chargers proved they are just as tough as the varsity.
The Lady Chargers are back in action Tuesday as they travel to take on the Louisville Wildcats.
