BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — In what has been a rebuilding year for the Martin County volleyball team, the Cards continue to make improvements this season.

The roster includes nine freshmen and three eighth-graders, with only two seniors on the squad. Despite their youth, they continue to hang with veteran teams.

On Aug. 16, they hosted a Betsy Layne team that could make waves in the region this year.

The Cards had an early lead before falling 25-22 in their opening game.

In their next match against Shelby Valley, they hung close and lost 25-19 in the first game. Against Lawrence County, they kept it tight in two, 25-18 and 25-16.

Greenup is the same story — 25-15 and 25-16.

The team has plenty of talent and has shown flashes of brilliance, but a young team can be known for losing gas in the second and third sets.

Martin County coach Katie White-Patrick expects her team to get their first win soon.

“They’re getting so much better each time they step on the court,” Patrick said. “It’s like things fall a little more in place for them each match.”

Kirsten Wells and Hannah Robinson are seniors on this year’s team.

Against Betsy Layne, “We were reading their hitters and going after everything in that first game,” Wells said.

Robinson thought their passing was on point but in the second game “we started having bad coverage.”

“We need to start focusing on the passes and getting a touch on the ball,” Wells said.

Coach Patrick believes this young team will get a win soon.

“We came out with a lot of energy and excitement. Our communication is great and it’s looking promising,” said Patrick. “The mental game take has taken a toll on us. We’re going to reassess and keep working.”

Her team is heading back to the drawing board and were scheduled to host Johnson Central Monday before heading to Tolsia Tuesday. Tonight they will travel to Pikeville to play Paintsville in the 15th Region All-A Classic.