Strength, confidence key to this year’s Lady ’Cats
Photo by Shari Harris
From left, seniors Aubrey Gorman, Allie Medlock, Linzie Wallace, Allie Hock, Zoey Dawson, Ralee Clayton, Josie Wells, Francesca Fillipi, and Harlie Buchanan.
By Shari Harris
Publisher
The Licking Lady Wildcats Volleyball Team is preparing for a competitive season. Head Coach Tammy Gorman and Assistant Coach Brenlee Smith have their team in shape and ready to begin their difficult schedule.
“It will be a tough season,” predicted Gorman. “During adversity, we’ve got to learn to play…minimize our errors.”
During the summer, players competed against bigger, faster and more athletic schools, including a trip to Kansas City, which Gorman said was a great building experience for her athletes. She saw her team grow in creativity and leadership throughout the experience.
An emphasis on strength and agility over the summer has the Lady ’Cats in better shape than before, and Gorman feels their skills are better this year also.
Photo by Shari Harris
Strengthening has been an important component of this year’s season preparation.
With nine seniors and a total team roster of 24, depth will be a plus this year. Seniors this year include Linzie Wallace, setter; Allie Hock, outside/middle; Zoey Dawson, outside; Aubrey Gorman, outside/defense; Ralee Clayton, defense/outside; Josie Wells, right side; Allie Medlock, right/outside; Harlie Buchanan, defense; and new team member Francesca Fillipi, who is a foreign exchange student from Italy.
Other returning athletes to watch for include juniors Jadyn Barnes, outside hitter; Kate Mitchell, middle; and Addison Floyd, setter; and sophomore Morgan Stone, middle/right. Gorman anticipates that freshman Hadlee Davis will also see varsity play time.
“I like hard,” Gorman said of their upcoming season. “I’m all up for a good challenge.”
The Lady Wildcats will participate in the Willard Jamboree on Tuesday, August 27. Their first game will be on the road, Saturday, August 31, at 9 a.m. against Marshfield. Their first home game will be September 10 against Mountain Grove.
