Central’s volleyball players have been working ruthlessly to prepare for the season, constantly trying to be the best team that they can be. They have been working all summer in preparation for the season. The new season is looking up, especially with the leadership and guidance of Captains Olivia Rawl and McKenzie Stephens.

The girls played their first season game on Tuesday, August 20. The Lady Pounders played against East Ridge High School at Central. They came out victorious, beating East Ridge in every set that was played, scoring in the first set 25-10. Continuing to fight throughout the game, the girls won the second set 25-15, and finished the game with a score of 25-13 in the final set.

The stats of the game came out to be: Junior TaNiya Crowder with seven kills, Senior Olivia Rawl with three kills, and Freshman Madyson Merriweather with five aces.

The girls continued through the season, playing Howard School of Academics and Technology at Central. The match was played on Thursday, August 22. The team dominated the game, winning all three sets. The Lady Pounders ran riot in the first set, beating the Howard girls 25-10. Although, the girls relaxed too much in the second set, allowing the score to be 25-22. The girls then finished the game, beating Howard in the last set 25-10.

Many players played very well in the game against Howard. For example, Olivia Rawl had eight aces, Junior Carmen Crabtree, and Madyson Merriweather had five aces each. Along with TaNiya Crowder and Olivia Rawl who had four kills at the net.

Volleyball Coach Holly Ware believes that there is a lot of potential to come out of this team, but getting the team to see the potential that they hold within them is the issue that she sees. Ware also pointed out that serving is where players prevailed in the game.

“They need to trust their abilities and their teammates abilities and work together,” shared Coach Ware.

As the Lady Pounders continue through the season, the girls played Hixson High School on Tuesday, August 27 at Central. They ended up losing all three sets to Hixson. In the first set, the score was 15-25, set two was 16-25, and set three was 12-25.

Even though the Lady Pounders suffered a tough loss, many players still performed well. TaNiya Crowder had seven kills, Olivia Rawl had three kills, and Madyson Merriweather had five aces.

“I strive to make the team better by trying to be the best leader I can be and giving the motivation that every team needs,” Olivia Rawl stated.

These girls as a whole want and strive to be the better team. They want to push each other to be not only better players, but to have better character by believing in themselves.