Abbeville – With more experience and solid team chemistry, the Abbeville High volleyball team is having a good 2023 season.
The Panthers, coached Anne Marie New, went 9-3 in their first 12 matches, including a 4-1 start in region 2-AA play heading into a Sept. 29 contest against Saluda.
New says having three starting seniors is an advantage this fall. The Panthers had just two seniors on the roster last season.
“This year's team plays with so much chemistry and love for the game! They play well together and enjoy the game,” reports the coach.
The team is led by senior captains Garianna Burton and Josie Evans. Both also were captains last season, a true testament to their leadership capabilities.
“They lead the team on the court in kills and aces, and off the court, as they are both involved in numerous extra-curricular activities and are ranked in the top five of their graduating class,” New said.
They are joined in the starting lineup be senior Neveah Leach. Burton and Evans are outside hitters while Leach works in the middle of the net.
Junior Jaylin Vickery also starts in the middle. Sophomore starters include Libero Ella Atkins and rightside Baylee Wilson. Eighth-graders Bella Evans is the starting setter.
Other team members include seniors Jordin Oglesby and Tori Cannaday, and junior Anecia Dawson.
New says this year’s team is gaining confidence with each victory and is enjoying being a competitive program. The team has finished with a losing record in each of the last three seasons but has turned it around this fall.
“This year the girls have figured out how good it feels to work as a team to be successful,” New said. “The hope is that the young girls playing on varsity will carry this team-centered culture with them and pass it on to the younger players in the future. We have always had some talented players but talent doesn't get you far when there's not a positive team culture.”
All Rights Reserved | The High School Sports Report 1986-2021