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   The Allen County-Scottsville Lady Patriot volleyball program enters the 2019 season looking to build upon back-to-back successful seasons. Last year, AC-S posted an impressive 19-8 campaign, capped off by a second consecutive District 15 tournament title. Despite several key losses to graduation, the Lady Patriot strikers enter the new season with high hopes---hopes of not only a District championship but a deep post season run.

   “We will have some new young players in the starting rotation,” second-year coach Shelby Keegan said. “They are working hard and learning quickly. We are really ready to put everything together and get on the court.”

   The team will be led by seniors Olivia Brown, Jaden Carter, Meg Foster, Averie Pitchford, C.J. Towe, and Breann Varner.

   “The seniors are doing a great job leading the team, especially the freshman,” Keegan said. “The seniors are playing great.”

   Each senior brings unique talents to the team---both in terms of the skills on the court and their qualities as senior leaders.

   “Olivia is a great defensive player,” Keegan noted. “She’s the leader on the back row, always talking and getting her teammates rallied together. She is not going to let a ball hit the floor without her body hitting the floor. She is a great aggressive defensive player. Jaden has grown a ton with her passing. Also, the team spirit that Jaden has is contagious. She is always cheering on her teammates. She is also not afraid to say the hard things and that’s a great leadership quality. We are going to see a lot out of Meg Foster. She is always a constant for our team. She has great skills and hustle. Averie’s commitment and quite leadership is really important to our team. She has been working hard to get better with her passing and has really improved with her footwork. C.J. is a hard working kid that can jump out of the gym. She is a raw athlete that we are trying to turn into an awesome volleyball player. Breann has really improved her hitting in the off season. She has gotten stronger and that’s helped her hitting.”

   While the six seniors will be asked to contribute in some way each day, several underclassmen are pushing for time on the court including a returning starter from last year in sophomore Chloe Cook. Freshman Ana Walker, sophomores Maddie Stallings and Layla Carter, and junior Rachel Moore will be looking to contribute as well.

   “Chloe is a player we can put anywhere on the court,” Keegan said. “She can set, play defense, hit, and block. We are trying to figure out the best spot for her. She is the utility player everybody needs. She will be a rock for us. Ana and Maddie are also working hard. We are still trying to figure out who will take over the middle spot and they are fighting for that position. Layla is like a young C.J. She can jump out of the gym and has raw athleticism. We are just trying to find her a spot. Rachel Moore is coming up and will be under Olivia’s wing this year. ”

   Remaining members of the team include juniors Aleigha Ellis and Molly Jones---however, a back injury has forced Jones to the sidelines. Sophomores also include Kinlee Chaffin, Olivia Colter, Gracie Hayes, and Madison Lynch. Freshman players are Ellee Barton, Audrey Centers, Brooklyn Cornwell, Raelyn Russell, Raleigh Steenbergen, and Callie Whittle. The program also includes eighth-graders Ava Kinslow and Jaedyn Mosby and seventh graders Hayden grace Lee and Greyson Sykes.

   Keegan points out that her team has been working hard since January to prepare to repeat as District 15 champions and perhaps make a run at a regional title.

   “We started lifting weights in January,” Keegan said. “The girls have been committed the entire time. We are in a great position. Our goal is to win the District and I think we can.”

   AC-S will play a “beefed” up schedule this year. In addition to regular season action, the Lady Patriots are in three tournaments which are designed to provide the squad with challenging competition. AC-S appears in the Apollo Summer Slam event in Owensboro later this month and participates in a strong Taylor County Throw Down event in September. The Lady Patriots will also face many of Tennessee’s bests’ teams at a tournament in September in Watertown in Wilson County. 

   The season will start next week. Monday, AC-S travels to Edmonson County. Wednesday, the Lady Patriots will be in action at Station Camp in Gallatin. The first home matches of the season will be on September 5 against Barren County.