The Choctaw County volleyball team enjoyed outstanding success a year ago, going 12-0 in region play and reaching the second round of the MHSAA playoffs. But that was then and this is now. Many of the key players graduated, leaving the Lady Chargers much younger, with only two seniors and two juniors. But coach Miranda Worrell sees the glass as half full. “We return girls who have played for a long time. They have played since the seventh grade, so they have had time to work on things. They're jelling pretty well at practices.” Choctaw County will be led by its two seniors. Addie Stacy led the team in kills (118), assists (81), blocks (14) and tied for the lead in service points (81). Jenna Bellew was a setter last year. “I’m depending on her for leadership,” Worrell said. One of the younger girls expected to contribute is sophomore Calla Gammill. “I’m going to be looking to her to step up and play a lot more this year.” Worrell said. Choctaw County competed in a seven-team region last year with 1A, 2A and 3A schools. Because of an influx of schools playing volleyball due to MHSAA dropping slow pitch softball, there will be competition in each of the six classifications this year. Choctaw County is in Region 4-3A with Amory, which was runner-up to Choctaw County last year, and Hatley, fielding a team for the first time. The first match is scheduled Tuesday, Aug. 25 at Nanih Waiya, followed by a match at New Hope August 27. The first scheduled home match is against Eupora on Sept. 3. The junior varsity will play in a tournament at New Hope August 29. “Right now, I’m focused on just getting the girls to play with each other and getting used to playing in different positions,” Worrell said. “They have to work out who is going to be where, and the chemistry.”
