Neill Kirkpatrick
Special to the HSSR
Columbia – The Lady Raiders of Keenan under first-year head coach Kiarra Pettway have gotten off to a solid start to the 2023 volleyball season and as they head into the middle of their region schedule, they are looking to get back to the class AA playoffs.
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“My expectations coming into the season as a first-year head coach was rebuilding the program and creating a positive environment for the girls to play and have fun, but this team is amazing,” said coach Pettway. “The chemistry and the bond the girls have has helped with the transition. I have 7 seniors on the team and the leadership from them has been tremendous. I am proud of these girls and the hard work they put in every day.”
Leading the senior class are outside hitter KyAsia Savage and middle hitter Taziah Smith. They are second and third on the team in kills, Savage -38, and Smith -39 while Smith leads the team in blocks with 15.
Senior setter Dymond Harmon leads the team in assists with 115 and is also the team’s top server at 92% with 12 aces. Reanna Kennedy-Groomes is the team’s other setter and is also part of the starting lineup.
The rest of the class are right side hitters N’Dia Stroman-Adam and Nar’Jai Livingston and defensive specialist Mary Feko. Feko serve percentage is almost 90% and she has 12 aces.
Junior transfer and starting libero Liddiani Jackson and hitter Ceigan Carter are also part of the starting lineup. Jackson leads the team in digs with 107 while Carter leads the team in kills with 48 and is second in digs with 57.
Rounding out the Lady Raiders squad are junior hitter Ariyana Donaldson and sophomore’s hitter Kristin Brown and setter/ defensive specialist Zaniah Pearson. Donaldson has been solid at the net with 10 blocks which is second on the team.
Brown may be the Lady Raiders most versatile player as she leads the team in aces with 26 and service points with 29. She also has 32 kills, 9 blocks to go with 33 digs.
“We are currently 11-5. With one tournament to play and 4 region games for the season. If we can continue to improve, I feel we can make the playoffs,” said coach Pettway.
Note: The Lady Raiders played well in their final tournament but came up short in their games. They head into the final week of region 4 AA play in second place. They can secure second in the region by winning all four matches.
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