Texas High volleyball coach Melissa Trotter-Hardy is upbeat about her 14th season of leading the Lady Tigers.
The Tigers tip off Tuesday at Liberty-Eylau, and Hardy is confident her girls will improve on last year's postseason club that bowed out in the bi-district round of the 5A playoffs.
"We only lost one girl to graduation, and we've got a lot more experience despite only having three seniors on the roster," Hardy said. "Most of our squad is made up of juniors, who have been playing on the varsity since they were freshmen.
"Our strength will be the ability to jell together. We grew a lot last year, and we want to start this season where we left off last year. I'm very excited to see how we do after having some girls play club
ball last spring."
The Tigers won't be lacking for height with 6-1 juniors Treyaunna Rush and Kaitlyn Cross. Freshman Ashlyn Stiger (5-10) will also provide depth as a middle blocker.
One of the most skilled players in District 16-5A is 5-5 junior Vicki Willis, who will line up as the libero.
Texas High's three seniors are 5-9 outside hitter Juanita Lewis, 5-7 Aliyah Forte and 5-7 Rikia Johnson. The latter two will have multiple roles on the team.
The remaining juniors on the varsity include 5-6 Katelyn Jordan, 5-7 Unique McBride, 5-8 Antonia Porter and 5-3 Mia Wilson. The lone sophomore is 5-8 Olivia Lower.
"We're very athletic," Hardy said.
That's an understatement for anyone who has seen Rush smash a left-handed kill, or Willis make a diving save.
"Cross, Lower and McBride all played club ball; most of our girls are multiple sports athletes," Hardy said. "We've won a district championship in my time, and that's our goal this season.
"Hallsville always has a good team, and we struggled against Sulphur Springs last season. Those two have to be the favorites, but I believe we'll be contenders."
Assisting Hardy this season are Robin Holland and Shonda Wilson.
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2017 THS Schedule
Aug. 8=at L-E=9th, JV, V=4:30
Aug. 11-12=Garland tourney=V=TBA
Aug. 15=at PG=9th, JV, V=4:30
Aug. 17=at Whitehouse=V=4:30
Aug. 18-19=Wills Point tourney=V=TBA
Aug. 22=North Lamar=9th, JV, V=4:30
Aug. 26=Mt. St. Mary tourney=V=TBA
Aug. 29=at Prairiland=9th, JV, V=4:30
Sept. 1=Paris=9th, JV, V=4:30
Sept. 5=L-E=9th, JV, V=4:30
Sept. 8=x-at Greenville=V, JV, 9th=4:30
Sept. 12=x-Sulphur Springs=9th, JV, V=4:30
Sept. 15=x-Pine Tree=V, JV, 9th=4:30
Sept. 22=x-Hallsville=V, JV, 9th=4:30
Sept. 26=x-at Mt. Pleasant=9th, JV, V=4:30
Sept. 29=x-Marshall=V, JV, 9th=4:30
Oct. 3=x-at Pine Tree=9th, JV, V=4:30
Oct. 10=x-at Hallsville=9th, JV, V=4:30
Oct. 13=x-at Sulphur Springs=V, JV, 9th=4:30
Oct. 17=x-at Marshall=9th, JV, V=4:30
Oct. 20=x-Mt. Pleasant=V, JV, 9th=4:30
Oct. 24=x-Greenville=9th, JV, V=4:30
x-Denotes District 16-5A match.