By Neill Kirkpatrick
Special to the HSSR
Mount Pleasant – Palmetto Christian Academy Head Coach Shelly Kaiser is building a volleyball program from the ground up as the Lady Eagles are looking to become one of the top programs in the volleyball talent rich lowcountry.
“We trying to show the girls we want to invest in them at every level of our programs,” said coach Kaiser. “We started our own tournament this year. We played in more tournaments to get the girls used to playing against top teams. We have five middle school teams this year. Our JV is undefeated. We are excited to where we are headed and to get there, we want to build a program from the bottom up.”
The Lady Eagles are currently 15-13-1 on the year coming off a loss to perianal state power Ashley Hall. The loss snapped a six-match winning streak by the Eagles. However, they are currently sitting atop their region.
Coach Kaiser said, “We returned most of the team from last year and we added some new pieces that have made us better. I feel like we have a better chance to compete for the region championship and to get into the playoffs and go farther this year.”
Seniors Autumn Benton and Ana Tyler are returning players and the leaders of the team. Benton is the team’s setter and has done a great job of running the team’s offense while Tyler is a returning All Region outside/ middle hitter.
Junior Cokey Suddeth is another returning All Region selection. She reached 1000 kills earlier in the week against region rival Northside Christian Academy. She is also an All-Region basketball player and will hit 1000 career points this upcoming season.
Rounding out the starting lineup are three sophomores Chloe Guyan, Reed Jones, and Saylor Sorenson. All three started as freshmen. Guyan is also a returning All-Region selection while Jones leads the team in hitting.
Freshmen hitter Adelaide Suddeth has added depth to the front line as she can play every position.
Juniors Hannah Delaney, Ava Bowen, and Bria Olson have all been solid when they have been on the court.
“We have played some good teams, but we must continue to get better each match. We need to become more consistent and mentally prepared for every match. That will determine our success in the playoffs,” said coach Kaiser.
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