Lake View volleyball thriving under new coach
Lake View – A new coach and some new names on the roster has not slowed down the winning of the Lake View High volleyball program.
The program has been one of the top winners and contenders in the Lower State of the Class A ranks for many years. Former coach Bill Spivey retired from coaching after last season and named as his replacement was longtime junior varsity coach Angie King. The new coach had five returning players from last year’s team that went 16-5 before losing to Branchville in the Class A Lower State final.
The starting lineup this season is loaded with underclassmen who have seen plenty of action in recent years. The Wild Gators are in contention for the region title, having split with Latta this season. Each has one loss.
“This is a good group, a mix of returners and some new faces that are gelling together pretty well,” King said. “Our mindset has been making it to the state finals. We are capable. Of course the Lower State is really competitive but I think we are in the mix.”
The starting lineup has three starters, all with multi-years of experience. Ja’Leah Ford is an outside hitter, along with Raven Locklear, who leads the team in kills this season. Senior Emma King, the coach’s daughter, is the starting Libero. Locklear and King have been varsity players since the seventh-grade.
“It’s fun being able to coach Emma in her senior year,” King said. “I never got to coach her in junior varsity because she didn’t play down there. We are both enjoying the season together.”
Junior Takiyah Waters is returning as a middle hitter and freshman Zy’kiara Waters, a cousin, also works in the middle.
Taking over as the setter is newcomer Kay Bugarin, a junior. She replaces King, who was the setter in the past but is more valuable as a defensive leader.
Junior Hollie Scott is a right side who sees extensive playing time while sophomore Naveah Price is a key defensive specialist as well.
Rounding out the roster this season are seniors Eva Newell and Anna Camp, and juniors Kaylynn Turner and Jamie Davis.
“Our depth is good. We can interchange players and still be successful,” King said. “I’d say 10 of the 12 players see playing time in various roles.
King says the Wild Gators have shown great improvement in their serving, which will be a big factor in the postseason. She feels the strength of the team is in hitting and middle blocking.
“We work hard and stress taking care of the ball when it’s on our side,” King said. “We can control what happens on our side of the net and we put a lot of emphasis on playing clean and finishing off points.”
The final two weeks of the regular season will include region games against Hannah-Pamplico and Lamar, with two non-region games to close out the season.
“I’m optimistic about this team,” the coach said. “Of course, we have to finish strong and perform to our potential in the playoffs. We have what it takes physically. We just have to keep the right mentality and play our game.”
The program will take a hit losing five seniors after this season but King does not expect a drop off in competitiveness.
“We have 13 girls on the jayvee and they are developing and playing well,” she said. “They are winning a lot so they’re gaining confidence. That will help us next year.”
Football team enters bye week on five-game win streak
After a week zero loss to Marion to open the 2023 football season, the Lake View football team enters a bye week (Oct. 6) on a five-game winning streak.
The Wild Gators opened region play with a win over Green Sea Floyds on Sept. 29. They have remaining region games with Latta, Lamar and Hannah-Pamplico.
“Certainly we are excited to be on a good little streak but the schedule gets really tough down the stretch,” head coach Daryl King said. “We need to come back from the off week ready to play our best football of the season.”
King has been pleased with the overall work ethic and attitude of this year’s team.
“We truly don’t have a superstar player like maybe we had in the past,” King said. “We have a really good group of hard-working kids who will fight hard and don’t give up. They want to win and they play well together. We have good leadership. The kids police themselves and hold each other accountable.”
Defensively, Lake View has been fairly consistent through six games. Middle linebacker Dawson Hunt leads the team in tackles. Fellow linebacker Landon King, all 5-6, 125-pounds of him, also is playing well.
Defensive ends Luke Price and Daniel Ray have been solid and free safety Cam Umphries has three interceptions and a slew of tackles as well.
“All 11 of them are playing hard and fulfilling their roles,” King said of the defense.
Running backs Tyrell Foxworth and Jayden Ford have been the leaders in the wishbone running attack. Foxworth has more than 700 yards and eight touchdowns while Ford has over 600 rushing yards and 14 combined touchdowns, rushing and receiving.
Junior Kason Herlong runs the offense “like a coach,” according to King. “He’s an extension of our offensive coordinator on the field.”
The offensive line, as a unit, has been steady. That group is led by junior Chris McGill.
A player who has come from nowhere to be a key performer is junior Lucas Schamp. Schamp is not a starter but was seen one day by a coach, during a school break, kicking a football. When King heard of this, he sent the player to work in practice with the special teams coach.
Schamp became the placekicker for the last few games and provided the game-winning extra point in a 15-14 win over Loris. The kick came from 35 yards out after a penalty.
“The kid never says a word, a really nice kid,” King said. “He never told anyone he could kick. We had no idea. He’s missed a few here and there but he is really working on it and he’s going to help us. He had no place to play as a far as a position but he does now, an important position.”
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