Christian County overcame a slow start to their 2017 volleyball season to win 13 of 16 games heading into the postseason. However, the dropped a four-set decision to University Heights in the Eighth District semifinals and saw their run of 11 straight region tournament appearances come to an end.
Ashleigh Sympson enters her third season as Lady Colonel head coach and has some key parts returning but will see them mixed in with some younger players.
The Lady Colonels return All-District performer Ariyonna Johnson – one of the top hitters in the region – the middle. Sophomore Macy Baker and Senior MacKenzie Smiley return on the outside to give Sympson some options at the net.
Senior Libero Elizabeth Gibbs is back in the mix for the Lady Colonels with seniors Cassidy Stevenson and Haley Scott expected to carry a larger load in 2018.
Sympson will be looking to get several freshmen and first-year players some experience to provide depth as the season progresses. The Lady Colonels were 18-18 last year and like last year, that likely won’t be good enough to advance out of an improved Eighth District.
How quickly the Lady Colonels build depth and consistent play on the outside will likely hold the key to Christian County’s season, which begins August 10 at Franklin-Simpson.
