BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — The Martin County High School Volleyball team hosted their media day Thursday and started the season at home Aug. 16 against Betsy Layne.
The Cardinals were 14-17 last season and 4-4 in the district. They competed with a tough Johnson Central in the first round of the district tournament before falling in four sets.
The Bobcats are coming off an 18-12 season and went to the region last year.
Coach Katie White-Patrick is in her first season with the Lady Cards. She previously played at the University of Pikeville and has coaching experience.
The Cards lost three seniors to graduation but have key returning players in a new pair of 12th graders, Kirsten Wells and Hannah Robinson. Wells had 74 kills, 57 digs, and 35 serving aces last year. Robinson had 10 blocks, 30 digs and 17 aces.
The Mountain Citizen spoke with Patrick and varsity team members at their preseason media day. Sarah Keener, Emma Gulley and Chloe Alley are 10th graders this upcoming season. Raegan Horn and Kristen Preece are freshmen and Kirsten Wells is a senior.
What do you think about your team’s development this preseason?
Coach Patrick: We’ve developed in how we communicate, our hustle has improved, and coverage on the ball has gotten better.
Wells: I feel like we trust each other more and we’re more confident in each other. If I send up a ball, I feel like Kristen will be there. We have that faith in each other.
What are you most looking forward to this year?
Horn: I’m most excited for getting the wins this season and seeing everyone’s excitement when we get a kill.
Preece: The rides on the buses and the fun we’re going to have.
Gulley: How we differ from the past seasons and how we match up to other teams.
Alley: To see where we are as a team and how good we can do compared to other seasons.
Keener: Our ups and downs. If we win or lose, we’re still going to grow from it.
Wells: For us to finally put it all together and play together on the court.
Can you describe the closeness of your team?
Alley: Family. We’re like sisters.
Coach Patrick: They’re very supportive of each other.
In what areas do you feel the team has been successful so far?
Team: Listening, putting forth an effort, hustle.
Alley: Our ability to talk to each other.
Do you feel there are some things you need to work on?
Alley: We don’t have a lot of height on the team.
Preece: Hey! I get blocks sometimes! I’ve blocked Chloe before and Maddie Thompson.
How have your workouts been?
Gulley: Lots of laps, pushups and crunches.
Alley: We’ve done a lot to build our core and legs; that’s really important.
Wells: There’s a drill that we do that I consider a full cardio workout. It’s a tough exercise but sometimes we ask to do it.
What are your thoughts on playing in this weekend’s panorama?
Gulley: I’m excited to see how we work together.
Alley: To see where we’re at and see what we can improve on, what we need to do to get better.
Wells: Last year we split with Prestonsburg. So I’d like to see if we’ve improved and how we go about playing.
Coach, what do you think about your team?
Coach Patrick: It’s a young team but comparing it to when I was in school. It’s crazy how much talent the younger girls have. My older girls are great, but everyone has really shown me they can play. Our clinics have really helped us too. The future is bright and there is a lot of potential. When our freshmen get to be seniors, I think they’re going to be an unstoppable team.