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Spikers set to take center stage
The Putnam County volleyball tournament will played on Saturday at North Putnam.
The pairings have Cloverdale and Greencastle meeting in the first match of the day, both featuring head coaches experienced in the one-day classic, followed by North Putnam against South Putnam in a battle of first-time county tourney coaches.
Identical matches were played on Sept. 1, with the Tiger Cubs and Cougars both winning in three sets.
Young and improving Clover and Eagle squads are hoping to change those results.
Here is a look at each team:
Greencastle
Coach Maggie Walters said her 6-4 team has had “a fairly successful season” thus far.
“The team has been working on two different offenses, so finding the one that will be most effective come the post-season is something that the team is really focusing on,” she said. “As a team, our strengths are passing and defense.”
Walters notes that junior libero Maggie Meyer “has done a great job of running the defense,” while senior Madison Trout and sophomore Mckenzie Woodall have both “stepped up their defensive play tremendously in the past two weeks.”
Walters said the team’s offensive goals have been working on putting the ball away.
“We tend to just hit the ball to the other team’s defense,” she said. “The girls have made it a goal to raise their hitting percentages and put the ball away more in transition.”
Walters also noted that senior Lydia Trout and sophomore Jalyn Duff have been working well on communication with their hitters.
“Within the last week, the coaches have seen the confidence in running the offense in both of the setters,” she said. “The team is looking forward to the county tournament, especially the seniors [Sarah Miller and both Trouts],
“Our goals will be to control the ball on our side of the net and to execute in serve receive and transition.”
Cloverdale
Coach Kathy Moore’s Clovers are 3-7 overall and 0-3 in the Western Indiana Conference.
“We are a young team which is gaining experience with each match,” she said. “This team has a ton of potential and has been steadily improving. I look forward to seeing what this team will be able to accomplish with time.”
Moore noted that Greencastle is the defending champion, and her team is looking forward to a rematch.
“Beating them will require a lot of hustle and error-free play,” she said. “The county tournament always brings out a lot of excitement and enthusiasm for the game of volleyball.”
Frequent stat leaders for the Clovers have been senior Payten Simpson, sophomores Justyce Monnett, Tori Combs and Hannah Rady and freshman Kenzie Stoltz.
North Putnam
LeeAnn Bryan has led the Cougars to a 5-6 record in her first season at the helm.
“Our team has grown so much over the last month,” she said. “We struggled to get to our defensive positions a lot early in the season and that is something we have overcome. Our team now hustles when they are on the court.”
Bryan has instilled several characteristics in her team that are common with successful programs.
“Our team is working together by constantly communicating and encouraging each other,” she said. “As a team, the girls are adjusting well to each team that we play.”
Frequent statistical leaders for the Cougars have been seniors Ainslee Vogt, Haley Abdon, Aleah Duncan and Lyndi Parent, sophomore Kinzey Young and freshman Bradi Gierke.
South Putnam
Eagle coach Rachelle Custis will also be in her first county tourney.
“We are ready to battle for the county title,” she said. “Although our record is 2-9 we have had some long volleys.
“We recognize that it’s going to be tough getting past North Putnam, but we are ready for the challenge,” Custis added. “We are our biggest competitors –- mentally.”
Junior Miranda Bieghler leads the team in several categories, including aces, digs, points and set-assists.
Other stat leaders are sophomore Caitlin Capps (first in kills and co-leader in blocks) and junior Lillie Stein (co-leader in blocks and digs).
SP, which has just two seniors on its varsity roster, recorded wins over North Central and North Vermillion last month.