W.S. Neal’s volleyball team will begin their 2013 under first-year head coach Jason Blaney on Thursday, Aug. 29, at Jay.
W.S. Neal’s 2013 volleyball roster will see 10 players on it with two seniors, two juniors, three sophomores and three freshmen.
Jasmine Crook and Tiffany Sawyer will be the two seniors while Jodi Busby and Tykeria Nolan will be the junior players. Karissa Johnson, Emily Ann Cooper and Madison Winchester will be the three sophomores while Haleigh Dubose, Mee Mee Lawson and Dinah Samuel will be the three freshmen.
“Official practice for volleyball has started off very well for us here at W.S. Neal and I am proud of every girl in what they are putting into it,” Blaney said. “Senior Jasmine Crook has improved so much from last year. Her court vision is unreal and she is jumping so much higher and hitting so much harder then last year. She has really stepped into a leadership role for the team as well. Senior Tiffany Sawyer has really worked hard on her service game and is serving lights out. Her senior leadership has also shined this summer.”
Blaney said junior Jodi Busby has also improved her game.
“Jodi has improved tremendously since last year,” he said. “She is hitting the ball very well and has been working on her approach. She is very fundamentally sound and has stepped up as a leader. Junior Tykeria Nolan has just been working and practicing so hard and giving all she has. She has been put into a new role with the team and has stepped up and shined. She has shown me that she is a great leader with her play and with being vocal.”
The three W.S. Neal sophomores will be Karissa Johnson, Madison Winchester and Emily Ann Cooper.
“Karissa has worked so hard,” Blaney said. “She has worked on her leg and arm strength and is jumping and hitting amazingly. She is very athletic and her serve is spot on. Madison has been put in a new role as libero and has done a tremendous job. She has put in so much effort to learn the role and to effectively play that role and I am excited for her this season at that spot.
“Emily Ann is working so hard. I have her learning multiple roles, which to some could be overwhelming, but she is doing amazing. I am excited for what she brings to the team.”
Haleigh Dubose, Dinah Samuel and Mee Mee Lawson round out the 2013 team.
“Haleigh really helps give us some more height,” Blaney said. “When she gets on the ball she can absolutely hit it. She has also worked on her serve consistently and can set the ball very well. Dinah is a complete player. Dinah has put in so much hard work and has not missed a summer work out or a practice. She has great ball control and I am excited for her over the next four years. Mee Mee is a utility player. She is a back up setter, back row player and can play the hitter spot as well.
“She can absolutely jump out of the gym and can really strike the ball.”
Blaney said he is excited for this season.
“The girls have been busting their tails to improve and play hard,” Blaney said. “The girls have improved their strength and conditioning. No matter the outcome, these girls will fight every point of every match for the entire season and I could not be more proud of a group of young ladies and the work they have put in.”
During the 2013 season, W.S. Neal will be in an area with 2012 state champion Bayside Academy and state runner-up Cottage Hill. Also in the area will be rival T.R. Miller.
“Our schedule is very good and brings in some great competition with our non-area games like Jay, Excel, Pleasant Home and Flomaton,” Blaney said. “The area is going to be extremely tough with Bayside, Cottage Hill and T.R. Miller. “We hope to accomplish a lot this season and for that to happen we are going to have to work extremely hard.”
Here is the 2013 schedule for the Lady Eagles of East Brewton:
• Thursday, Aug. 29, Jay, Away, 4:30/5:30 p.m., JV, V
•Tuesday, Sept. 3, Central, Away, 4/5 p.m., JV, V
• Tuesday, Sept. 10, Hillcrest, Home, 4/5 p.m., JV, V
• Thursday, Sept. 12, T.R. Miller, Away, 4 p.m., MS, JV, V
• Thursday, Sept. 19, Excel, Home, 4/5:30 p.m., JV, V
• Monday, Sept. 23, Flomaton, Home, 4,5,6 p.m., MS, JV, V
• Tuesday, Sept. 24, T.R. Miller, Home, 4 p.m., MS, JV, V
• Thursday, Sept. 26, Pleasant Home (senior night), Home, 4 p.m., MS, JV, V
• Monday, Sept. 30, Pleasant Home, Away, 4 p.m., MS, JV, V
• Tuesday, Oct. 1, Excel and Hillcrest (tri-match), Away (Excel), 4 p.m., JV, V
• Thursday, Oct. 3, Cottage Hill (DH), Away, TBA, Varsity
• Saturday, Oct. 5, Escambia County Tournament, JDCC, TBA, Varsity
• Monday, Oct. 7, Bayside Academy, Home, 4:30/6:30 p.m., Varsity
• Thursday, Oct. 10, Jay and Flomaton Tri-match, Home, 4,5,6 p.m., Varsity
• Oct. 21-23, Area Tournament, TBA, TBA, Varsity