“When It Clicks, This Team Will Be Dangerous” are the confident words of Allen County-Scottsville Lady Patriots volleyball coach Cameron Cook. Noting there may be growing pains, lineup changes and even nights early in the season when the Lady Patriots look every bit as young as they are, Cook remains very optimistic about the season.
The Lady Patriots enter the season with considerable youth, impressive depth and no shortage of expectations. Eighteen of the 26 players in the program are underclassmen, but Cook believes this is not a typical young team. The volleyball IQ, skill level and competitiveness he has seen throughout the offseason have left him excited about what the Lady Patriots could become.
“I really like the group that we have in the gym this year,” Cook said. “We have a lot of higher IQ and skill levels in comparison to most of the younger teams that I’ve coached before.”
Right now, the challenge is not talent. It is chemistry. AC-S has spent the offseason competing in camps and scrimmages against strong competition, and Cook has consistently walked away encouraged. The Lady Patriots have shown flashes of what they can become. Now, they have to learn how all the pieces fit together.
“The biggest thing for us right now is the meshing-together component,” Cook added. “We have participated in multiple scrimmages and camps against high-level competition and each time have come out with a lot of positives. The matter is not ‘if’ the team will gel together, it’s when and when that happens, it will really be something special to watch.”
The Lady Patriots will be led by five seniors who have each spent time on the varsity floor. That experience could become especially important during the opening weeks as younger players settle into larger roles.
Senior Lily Cook returns with the most varsity experience and gives the Lady Patriots flexibility across the floor. She can provide different looks offensively and, when needed, remain on the court for all six rotations.
“She is definitely a vocal leader for our young kids,” Cook said. “I am excited to see what Lily brings to the floor this year.”
Ashlyn Meador provides another experienced option along the front line. Meador can play in the middle or on the right side and brings a combination of offensive creativity and blocking ability.
“Ashlyn gives you many different looks in terms of her crafty shots, but is also one of our best blockers,” Cook noted. “I am so encouraged with how she is continuing to work this offseason and expect a big senior year for her.”
In the middle, Alex Walker has the ability to become one of AC-S’s most imposing offensive players. Cook believes Walker possesses the explosiveness to take over stretches of matches.
“She definitely has the potential to be our most explosive hitter and can overpower defenses coming from the middle,” Cook said. “Her block is also felt at a high clip.”
Ava Calvert will step into a significant role as an outside hitter after putting considerable effort into improving her strength, agility and offensive game. Cook believes Calvert’s ceiling may be higher than what people see during the opening weeks.
“There aren’t a lot of people that have worked harder than Ava this offseason,” Cook pointed out. “I am so encouraged with where Ava is at, but even more excited about where she is going to be by the middle of the season.”
Then there is Addison Ramsey, who moves into the libero position after being an important part of the Lady Patriot back row last season. Her responsibilities will extend beyond passing and defense. Ramsey will be counted on to provide energy and leadership for a younger group behind the front line.
“She is our spark plug, and we will go as Addison goes,” Cook stated. “She’s bound for a big year.”
Cook sees those five seniors as the foundation for everything ACS hopes to accomplish.
“This senior class is super exciting to be around,” the coach said. “I am so grateful for their leadership and will continue to ask for it as the season gets started.”
Perhaps the most intriguing part of this Lady Patriot team is what comes after the senior class. Cook has options---a lot of them. He believes that depth could become one of AC-S’s biggest advantages.
“We have a relatively deep roster that helps us push practices to a different level to where we are challenging each other each day,” Cook explained. “That will definitely pay off as the season progresses.”
Juniors Baylee Speegle, Grayce Maye Stinson and Marlee Gaddis each provide something different. Speegle can work from the middle or right side and has developed into a dependable attacker. Stinson gives the Lady Patriots another option on the pin and continues to improve as a passer. Gaddis provides a steady defensive presence with her passing continuing to get better each week we are in the gym.”
The sophomore class gives AC-S even more possibilities. Whitley Shrum has impressed during preseason competition with her athleticism, power and blocking ability. Kinlee Sikes will handle part of the setting responsibilities and has already earned considerable confidence from her coach. Julia Schaberg gives AC-S another offensive option on either pin and has developed what Cook describes as a “nasty serve.”
Meanwhile, Liza Connor and Audrey Bonds add depth in the back row.
A strong freshmen class adds even more punch. According to Cook, Dani Cates, Landry Monroe and Addison McGuire have each positioned themselves to potentially earn varsity minutes. Cates may be one of the more intriguing newcomers.
“Dani Cates is a gamer for us,” Cook added. “She can set or pass when it is needed of her. She reads the game really well and will be used in the setter spot quite a bit. ”
Monroe already provided a glimpse of her ability during last season’s postseason when she helped produce a multi-point service run in the region tournament. Cook now considers her one of the program’s most trustworthy passers and servers. McGuire provides another developing defensive option whose strength and ability to read attacks have continued to improve.
Cook says the varsity picture is far from settled. The coaching staff---assistants Heather Fowler, Chloe Cook, Al Barman, and Kassey Parrish---will revisit the roster every two weeks. That means players currently outside the varsity rotation will continue to have opportunities to earn their way into it.
The Lady Patriots may be young. Cook does not intend to use that as an excuse. Expectations remain high.
“We are young, but I don’t want that to fool anyone,” Cook explained. “I maintain high expectations for all of our teams and this one is no exception. I truly believe that there is a target on our back and that some teams feel like this is the year to get us,”
The district race should provide little room for error. Cook expects another difficult challenge from Warren East, while Barren County and Glasgow return strong groups as well.
“Everyone is coached well,” Cook said. “It will not be easy. But nothing easy is ever really worth it.”
The Lady Patriots’ regular-season schedule has been constructed with that same philosophy. The Lady Patriots will face difficult competition. They may take some lumps along the way. Cook is fine with that — provided those experiences help prepare his team for the matches that matter most. October is the target.
“Our schedule is not easy, but it’s meant to prepare us for a postseason run,” Cook said. “We want to build towards October and be our best then.”
Cook also wants Lady Patriot volleyball to continue growing beyond the court. The program has enjoyed strong community support, and he hopes even more people will come see what has him so excited.
“We don’t just want to maintain the level of community support that these kids have got, we want to grow it,” Cook said. “Come catch a game. This sport is still on the rise and I am sure you will not be disappointed.”
AC-S opens the regular season on Monday, August 17 in Patriot Gym against Green County. The following day will see a trip to Todd County Central.