Sports
Lady Hornets Seek Improvement On Volleyball Court
This year's squad is looking to avenge an early exit from last season's early district tournament.
The Saline Hornets volleyball team had a good run during the 2010 season. They went 40-15 and looked strong but things came to an abrupt end at the hands of Bedford in the MHSAA District Tournament..
This year’s team looks to improve on their postseason performance as well as contend for a conference title.
“We’ll contend for a conference title; it’s always a goal of ours. We have really good energy and good chemistry. I’ve got kids that just work hard and bring intensity into the gym,” said third year head coach Lisa Shea.
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This year’s team will be led by tri-captains Marissa Owen, Mackenzie Shumborg and Mackenzie Shand.
The varsity added some new faces to the mix this year: junior Jenna DeBest, sophomore Jess Wolma and junior transfer Nora Rittenhouse. The team’s primary focus is on ball control, an aspect of volleyball that coach Shea stresses at every chance.
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“You can’t do much if you don’t have ball control. Volleyball is a very rhythmic game; you want to be in a three-ball system or just be able to run your faster offense as much as you can,” said Shea.
On the court, Shea has confidence in every member of her team, and expects production from them all. With the leadership from her captains, she expects this year’s team to compete hard and vie for the conference title.
“We’re going to be very athletic, like we always are. We’re talented and very competitive, and the team has a great work ethic,” said Shea.
And at the end of the season, if coach Shea has her way, the team will know a lot more about ball control, too.
Here is the schedule for the season, which began Saturday at Portage Central:
Date
Time
Opponent
Aug. 20
8:30a.m.
@ Portage Central Invite
Aug. 27
8 a.m.
Early Bird Invite
Aug. 31.
1 p.m.
@ SEC Red Jam @ Bedford
Sept. 7
4:30 p.m.
Saline Quad
Sept. 10
8:30a.m.
@ Mt. Morris Varsity Invite
Sept. 13
7 p.m.
Dexter
Sept. 20
7 p.m.
@ Pioneer
Sept. 22
7 p.m.
@ Lenawee Christian
Sept. 24
8:30a.m.
@ Frankenmuth Invite
Sept. 27
7 p.m.
Bedford
Oct. 04
7 p.m.
Monroe
Oct. 8
8 a.m.
Saline Hornet Invite
Oct. 11
7 p.m.
@ Huron
Oct. 15
9 a.m.
@ Beast of the East @ Michigan Elite Volleyball in Warren
Oct. 18
7 p.m.
Skyline
Oct. 22
8:30a.m.
@ North Branch Invite
Oct. 25
7 p.m.
@ Chelsea
Oct. 27
4 p.m.
Saline VB Quad