GHS prepared for new season

Friday, August 17, 2007
Members of the 2007 Greencastle varsity volleyball team include (front) Assistant Coach Deborah Miller, (second) Brooke Lewis, Olivia Miller, Stacy Wilson, Kayla Nobles, (third) Veronica Sawyer, Kelsey Hennette, Kristen Flint, Samantha Kuchler, (back) Sarah Land and Coach Trish Lowe.

Greencastle volleyball coach Trish Lowe knew from the beginning of practice for this season she would be putting a good group of kids out on the floor. This came partly from the effort they gave in practice, but also from the dedication she has seen in preparation for the season all summer long.

"I'm happy with the commitment the kids have shown," Lowe said. "We didn't just start on July 30, we've been working hard all summer.

"I'm really excited," Lowe continued. "Because of the work they did this summer, I know they're determined and dedicated to the sport."

The Tiger Cubs need this dedication as many of them will be changing positions from last season. While this could be a point of worry, Lowe likes how her players have been adjusting.

"They're doing a great job," she said. "We're doing a great job with versatility."

The versatility will be a necessity given that Greencastle has just 17 girls out for volleyball this season. That leaves only eight full-time varsity players.

"We don't have a great number of athletes, but the kids we have are doing a great job," Lowe said.

While several members Lowe's varsity team this year are having to step up from splitting time between varsity and JV last year, the Tiger Cubs are led by a core of four returning seniors in Kristen Flint, Kelsey Hennette, Olivia Miller and Sarah Land.

The seniors are joined by two juniors -- Brooke Lewis and Samantha Kuchler -- four sophomores and seven freshmen.

Lowe said her her team was just ready to begin the season.

"We're looking forward to competition," she said.

On Tuesday, the Tiger Cubs opened the season against defending sectional champs Northview in what Lowe called a "measuring stick" match. Greencastle struggled, losing 25-7, 25-19 and 25-15.

However, Lowe likes her team's chances this season, knowing success will be determined by how her team adjusts.

"I think we'll have a successful year," the coach said. "It'll all depend on how we improve, especially in our new positions."

Greencastle volleyball results

GHS drops opener

Greencastle volleyball fell to Northview in its season opener Tuesday night. Northview took all three games of the match, 25-7, 25-19, 25-15. The Tiger Cubs are 0-1.

Kelsey Hennette led the Tiger Cubs with five points and 11 assists. She also had one stuff block and one ace. Olivia Miller had two stuff blocks, four kills, two points and was 6-for-6 serving. Veronica Sawyer was 5-for-6 serving with three points. Kayla Nobles had two kills.

Sarah Land had three kills, two assists and three stuff blocks. Brooke Lewis had one stuff block and three kills. Kristen Flint had two stuff blocks, one assist, three kills, one point and was 4-for-4 serving.

Coach Trish Lowe said her team still needs work and they simply did not start well against a good Knights' squad.

"This was a very slow start against a very good team," Lowe said. "We discovered many things thar we are going to have to work on to get better this season and to have a respectable season."

In spite of the slow start in the first game, Lowe was happier with the team's effort for the remainder of the match.

"I was happy with our comeback in game two," she said. "We had a better start in game three."

The Greencastle JV also lost, 25-6, 25-5, dropping its record to 0-1.

Tiger Cubs fall to Crawfordsville

The Greencastle Tiger Cubs dropped to 0-2 on the season with a loss to Crawfordsville Thursday night. GHS lost in straight games 25-14, 25-13 and 25-13.

Olivia Miller had one stuff block, seven kills and went three-for-four serving, while Kayla Nobles was 10-for-12 serving with six points and one ace. Sara Land recorded one stuff block, one point and was four-for-four serving.

Brooke Lewis was eight-for-eight serving, with two aces, one stuff block, one kill and four points, as Kristen Flint had one block, four kills and one point. Kelsey Hennette was six-for-six serving with nine assists and two kills.

"We have our work cut out for us," GHS coach Trish Lowe said.

"We are going to have to get better at the defensive side of the game. We have a lot of talent hitting. We are just going to have to see who will step up and lead our defense. I know we are better than we have shown so far. We will improve."

The junior varsity also lost 15-25 and 17-25.

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