11

2012 Johnson County

VOLLEYBALL
Alvarado
Burleson
Centennial
Cleburne
Godley
Grandview
Joshua
Keene
Rio Vista
A sneak peak into the upcoming volleyball season,
including schedules, photos and previews.
A special supplement to the Cleburne Times-Review
2012 Johnson County
VOLLEYBALL
2 3
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Sports Editor
A.J. Crisp
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2012 Johnson County Volleyball is a product distributed by the Cleburne Times-Review.
Cleburnes Holly
Wood, a junior, will
be a versatile player
for the Lady Jack-
ets in new coach
Jim Woods first
season.
David Beans/
Special to the CTR
2 JC Volleyball
2 3
By A.J. Crisp
sports@trCle.Com
In the midst of a 10-year postseason
drought, Alvarado is looking to change the
way the Lady Indians volleyball program is
regarded.
Jill Barkley is entering her ffth year as the
Lady Indians head coach, and she said that
each year the program has taken a step in the
right direction.
Seeing a team that had previously been
a losing program actually succeed and win
games is great, Barkley said. Hopefully
well do something in district more than just
what is usually expected of Alvarado. I think
were going to squash that old vision that peo-
ple have of Alvarado. Im already so excited
that the girls are excited.
The Lady Indians fnished in fourth place
in District 8-3A last season (and won only one
district game two years ago), but despite the
struggles, Alvarados expectations this season
dont end at just making the playoffs.
We started out just saying we wanted to
go to playoffs, but we have to strive for more
than that, Barkley said. Our goal is to be
frst place in district. The girls have never had
that type of confdence before, so thats awe-
some to hear that they are that confdent.
Last year, there were some games we lost
that we shouldnt have. This year, were re-
turning all but one starter. We have fve start-
ers returning, so it should be really good. We
dont have the experience of winning. But I
think this year will be different.
Barkley will rely on four seniors to be the
leaders on the foor: Amber Chatham, Maitlan
Ledbetter, Brianna Penner and Jamie Gibson.
Shelby Frazier, the ffth returning starter,
earned frst-team all district recognition last
year as a sophomore and will also be a key
player in what the Lady Indians hope is a
playoff season.
With the majority of last years team re-
turning, the familiarity and chemistry should
be a strength of the team this year.
There wont be a whole
lot of difference this year,
but we will be a lot quicker,
Barkley said. Three of my
girls played club ball this
summer. We just want to
make sure that fourth place
doesnt happen again.
I think the girls are re-
ally looking forward to playing some of the
schools last year that we couldnt beat, and
beating them this year because we will be
able to. Theyre really excited to play some
of the bigger 4A and 5A schools that weve
played in the past and struggled with to see
how we can compete against them. Theyre
really excited for this season, which is really
neat to see.
Since Barkley has been at Alvarado, the
Lady Indians have had a team motto of One
team, one tribe, one goal, but she received a
text message from one of her seniors with a
suggestion for this season.
I got a text message from
Amber, who was a captain last
year, a couple of weeks ago,
Barkley said. She wanted to
make sure that every time we
broke out [of a huddle], we said
family. I thought that was great
that she was thinking about it
two weeks before practice start-
ed and that it was something she wanted to
incorporate.
The frst week of practice for Alvarado
was a spirited and intense one, Barkley said.
Its fun to see them practice so hard. On
game day, we want to be all fred up, but now
were even fred up in practice. And thats
team-led, thats something theyre instilling
in themselves. They cant wait to get to it. I
think every day this year is going to be excit-
ing.
Regarding changing the general consensus
of the Lady Indians program, Barkley said
that she expects the Alvarado community to
be out in full support this year.
The bleachers have been more full with
each year Ive been here, so I really think that
the community is starting to notice what we
have here now, she said.
Alvarados frst game is Tuesday, when it
hosts Northside.
A.J. CrispCourtesy photo
Alvarados Brianna Penner will be one of four seniors and five returning starters that
Coach Jill Barkley expects to help lead the Lady Indians to the playoffs for the first time in
10 years.
District 7-3A
1. Alvarado
2. Glen Rose
3. Hillsboro
4. Stephenville
5. Venus
Lady Indians look to end
decade-long postseason drought
3 JC Volleyball
4 5
By A.J. Crisp
sports@trCle.Com
Burleson made it to the
regional quarterfnals last season,
and the Lady Elks goal this year
is to at least go a step farther,
said coach DAnna Newton.
We made it to the regional
quarterfnals and lost to Aledo,
Newton said. Its been a long
time since Burlesons made it
that far, so theres high expecta-
tions this year. Our own expecta-
tions are defnitely playoffs, and
our goal is to make if further
than we did last year.
Despite losing six seniors
from last years team, Newton,
entering her second year as the
Lady Elks head coach, has four
starters returning and two more
players with varsity experience.
We lost our libero from last
year and thats a tough position
to fll, so were going to need
somebody to step up and fll that
position, Newton said. A lot
of my core is going to be back.
They know what is expected and
what they can do, and I think
well be fne.
Junior Holly Milam will be
the Lady Elks middle blocker,
while junior Alana Hughes is
slated to be the Lady Elks setter.
Senior Abby Seamster will be
the teams leading outside hitter.
Those are our top three that
were really looking forward to
this year, Newton said. Riley
Roberts is going to step up and
hopefully fll the libero spot. And
we have a bunch of up-and-com-
ing kids from JV that are going
to help us out a lot. Its going to
be a mixture of experience and
youth. We are experienced and
those seniors have played to-
gether since they were in middle
school, so the chemistry is there
and thats a good thing.
Newton had 46 players show
up for try-outs Tuesday morn-
ing, and said there are several
tough decisions to make as far as
varsity cuts and deciding which
players to put on the junior var-
sity and freshmen teams.
The new teams the Lady Elks
will face in district play after
realignment, will play a key role
in this years District 8-4A stand-
ings, Newton said.
Just the transition of going
to a new district, it could beneft
us and thats going to be a differ-
ence for us, she said. We have
Centennial, and thats going to
bring a whole new fre to us. We
have the Waco schools now, and
we played Waco University last
year in the frst round of playoffs
so weve seen them, and we still
have Cleburne, Crowley and
Joshua.
Its going good right now,
so were excited and looking
forward to the season.
The Lady Elks open the sea-
son hosting Stephenville at 6:30
p.m. Tuesday.
Burlesons district opener will
be Sept. 7 at Waco University.
Laura Zamora/CTR
Above: The Lady Elks work on their blocking technique during the first week of practice. Below: Ju-
nior Holly Milam, Burlesons middle blocker, gets ready to spike the ball.
After successful season, Burleson aims
to take the next step
4 JC Volleyball
4 5
Big Dreams Start
Winning Traditions
Supporting AthIetics In:
AIvarado / BurIeson / CIeburne / GodIey
Grandview / Joshua / Keene / Rio Vista
www.united-cs.com
By A.J. Crisp
sports@trCle.Com
Playing in only their second
season of UIL district play, the
Burleson Centennial Spartans
look to make a return trip to the
playoffs. And they will do so
under new head coach Whitney
Johansen, after last years coach,
Melissa Cole, went to Grandview.
This season for the Spartans
will be a historic one. It is the frst
year the school will have a group
of seniors. One of the biggest
hurdles the majority of Centen-
nial teams have faced in its young
history is lacking experience ...
but not this year for the volleyball
team.
Were returning just about
the whole group, Johansen said.
Thats the nice thing is that
everyones still here. We have a
good group of girls, all of whom,
in their own way, will fll key
roles for us this year.
The Spartans have their sights
set on going a step farther than
they did last year, when they
lost in the bidistrict round of the
playoffs, after playing in District
9-3A, which included Castle-
berry, Mineral Wells, Decatur,
Bridgeport and Lake Worth. Cen-
tennial is now in District 8-4A.
Its still early in the process
of putting the pieces where
they need to go, but its coming
together, so thats a good thing,
said Johansen, who was head
coach at Arlington Heights the
previous two years. Were really
excited. The girls are working
hard. Theres a lot of good talent
in this group. Were pumped
up and we cant wait to play a
match.
Our expectations for this
year, of course, we want to do
well in district. We would love a
district championship and thats
our main goal. We want to make
it multiple rounds in the play-
offs.
But Johansen didnt stop at
just what these Spartans expecta-
tions are for the season. She said
her team is looking at the bigger
picture.
Id say the girls are really
wanting to put Centennial on the
map as far as volleyball pro-
grams, she said. They really
want to make a name for the
school, especially with this being
the frst year we have seniors.
Were trying to get that reputation
to stick that were a force to be
reckoned with.
One of the frst things Johan-
sen did when she became head
coach of Centennial was come up
with a team word: conquer.
That word kind of resonated
with me when I was thinking
about this program and what the
goals were, she said. We dont
want to just go play against peo-
ple, we want to conquer people.
And it goes hand-in-hand with
our mascot since were Spartans.
When people see us walk in the
gym, we want them to know what
theyre in store for and that they
better be ready.
Junior Sydney Cox, who is
the teams outside hitter, will be
one of Johansens key players this
season, along with junior libero
Katie Revrovich.
Sydneys a great kid and
a great leader, Johansen said.
Shes one were looking forward
to. Katies coming back this
year at libero, and shes a great
player. In the middle, weve got
Courtney Colomo, who will be a
senior. I could name each and ev-
ery one of them because theyre
all such a vital part.
Centennial opens the sea-
son Tuesday when they host
Ranchview and Grandview for a
doubleheader dual. The Spartans
will participate in the Saginaw
Varsity Tournament Aug. 17-18.
The Spartans open district
play Sept. 7 when it hosts Ever-
man. The frst Burleson versus
Centennial match-up will be Sept.
21.
Laura Zamora/CTR
Above: New coach Whitney Johansen speaks to the Spartans dur-
ing practice. Below: Junior Toni Maxfield practices serving.
Spartans striving to put Centennial
volleyball on the map
5 JC Volleyball
6 7
By A.J. Crisp
sports@trCle.Com
For the second straight season, the Cle-
burne Lady Jackets will be under new lead-
ership as Jim Wood takes the head coaching
reins.
The Lady Jackets will not only face the
challenge of adapting to a new coaching sys-
tem, but also a big turnover from last years
squad, as only three players from last year
return.
Of course, with me being new, weve
been going over lots of new things the way
I want certain things done, going over my of-
fensive systems, which is a little bit different
than what theyre used to, Wood said. My
defensive system is pretty much the same.
My terminology, I call things a little differ-
ently than what theyve heard in the past, but
most of its pretty much the same. Weve been
doing lots of conditioning and getting used to
a new system this week. Were looking alright
so far.
With only three players from last years
varsity team (Hillary King, Kendall Jones and
Brianna Reband), Wood has to clear several
hurdles before the frst game is even played,
such as flling up the varsity roster with the
right players and getting those players to play
as a single unit.
We really havent meshed yet because
theres so many different people playing to-
gether who havent played together before,
Wood said. Its still a work in progress be-
cause theres so many new faces and Im still
plugging people in here and there, taking
looks at them. Its going to take a little time.
Wood said that hes still evaluating several
junior varsity-level girls to see if they can
play at the varsity level, and said he would
play those girls in both scrimmages that took
place on Friday in Azle and Saturday in Bird-
ville.
The players that Wood has already as-
signed a varsity spot to have impressed him
early on.
The three returning players from last
year have been impressing me a lot, he said.
Hillary King (senior setter), Kendall Jones
(senior outside hitter) and Brianna Reband
(junior middle hitter) have shown some good
things.
Briannas going to play all the way
around, which is something new for her be-
cause shes never played back row before. Im
hoping I can get her hitting out of the back
See CLEBURNE, Page 6
6 JC Volleyball
David Beans/Special to the CTR
Above: The 2012 Cleburne Lady Jackets varsity volleyball team. Below, left: Senior Kend-
all Jones is one of three returning players from last years varsity squad. Below: New
head coach Jim Wood said he wants to see his team play fundamentally sound.
2012 marks a new era of Cleburne volleyball
6 7
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Phone: (817) 558-4466
www.jeengland.net
GOOD LUCK
YELLOW JACKETS!
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in Johnson County
row and opening her offense even
more. From what I understand,
shes been the best hitter in the
district the last couple of years,
even as a freshman and sopho-
more. Im hoping to expand her
offense.
Wood also said that junior
Alli Suitt has been hitting real
well out of the back row and ex-
pects her to step up for the Lady
Jackets this season, along with
Woods daughter, Holly, who is
also a junior.
[Holly] is kind of a util-
ity player, Wood
said. She can
play just about
anything. She can
play back row,
she can play out-
side hitter, right-
side hitter. Im
going to probably
start her out at
setter. Thats nice
to have some-
body that I can ft in here and
there if I need someone to step in
at another position.
Kings younger sister, Han-
nah, is expected to make a contri-
bution on the varsity level despite
being a freshman.
Shell probably be playing
libero for me, he said. Shes
shown some fashes of brilliance.
Some days, nothing hits the foor,
and other days she struggles, but
shes just a freshman. I think by
the time shes a junior and senior,
shes really going to be good.
Shes going to struggle some at
times this year, but shell be fne.
Another new face to the Lady
Jackets will be senior Abby Zach-
ary, who didnt play volleyball
for the Lady Jackets last season.
Shes almost six-foot, two
inches, Wood said. Shes
played some club ball before.
Shes on the swim team here, and
she does real well in swimming,
so shes an athlete, and shes big.
I think shes going to get some
signifcant minutes playing for
me. Shes going to be intimidat-
ing off that right side and shell
be blocking against everybody
elses best outside hitters. Im
looking forward to seeing what
she can do for us.
When Wood, who was vol-
leyball coach at Burleson High
School several years ago, was
asked about what the Lady Jack-
ets are most excited for this sea-
son, he said that they are looking
to simply get after it.
Were looking forward to
just playing, he said. Looking
to get some wins under our belts
and then eventually looking to be
dominant. Weve got some young
players coming up that will help
us in that goal. I know back in the
day, Cleburne used to be awful
dang good. Were not at that level
that we used to
be, but Im hop-
ing that well
get there. Its go-
ing to be a work
in progress, but
well get there.
Due to all of
the change sur-
rounding the vol-
leyball program,
a program that
for nine years
had nothing but consistency
when Floyd Rogers was the head
coach, Wood said that his expec-
tations early on are simple.
I just want us to play funda-
mentally sound, he said. I dont
want to get real fancy. I just want
us working on the basics; good
passing, good serving, good hit-
ting. I want us making sure our
techniques are correct and stuff
like that.
As we start getting that
down, then that will open up
things for us to get a little more
sophisticated in our offenses and
defenses, and start looking at
match-ups instead of just playing
a generic rotation. That would be
nice to have people I could plug
in for specifc match-ups to give
other teams problems. But right
now Im just looking for us to be
fundamentally sound.
The Lady Jackets frst match
is at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Fort
Worth Southwest. Cleburnes
frst home game is Aug. 28
against Mansfeld Lake Ridge.
District 8-4A
1. Burleson
2. Burleson Centennial
3. Cleburne
4. Crowley
5. Everman
6. Joshua
7. Waco High
8. Waco University
Cleburne
cont. from pg. 6
7 JC Volleyball
8 9
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8 JC Volleyball
By A.J. Crisp
sports@trCle.Com
Coming off a bi-district loss
to Eustace last season, Grand-
views fourth playoff appear-
ance in a row, the Lady Zebras
look to set their sights higher
for the 2012 season, the frst
under new head coach Melissa
Cole.
Things are looking really
good, Cole said. I feel very
positive about the direction
were going and how much
theyve improved since we
started practice on Monday.
Theyre connecting well to-
gether and meshing real well. I
think its going to be good.
Cole left her coaching posi-
tion at Burleson Centennial to
be closer to her family so she
could spend more time with her
daughter, and, despite losing
fve seniors to graduation last
year, she inherits a relatively ex-
perienced team that will feature
fve seniors in 2012.
Honestly, were going to
make the playoffs, Cole said.
Were shooting to win district.
Were looking to do that and
then looking to move even fur-
ther. We have a great set of kids
who work really hard. I think
were hoping to get past that
bi-district round.
The seniors are pushing
everyone. Everybodys getting
pushed, everybodys getting
challenged. Its a win-win. Our
freshmen are getting after it and
growing, too.
Those seniors, Brittney
Tschoepe, Kalani Basham,
Paige Pollock, Harley Griffth
and Alexis Wheeler, will be
Coles leaders on the court and
in the locker room.
One of Coles biggest con-
cerns as a coach, she said, is
always being on the same page.
We want to become a team
that connects very well, she
said. Our motto this year is
make a statement. We want to
make a statement with every-
thing we do, from the time we
walk in the gym to the time we
leave. Its going to be an action
not words. Theyre all excited.
When a head coaching
change is made, there is usually
some early growing pains.
Its all brand new, Cole
said. Theyre having to learn
new things in a short time. We
could be counted out by a lot of
people. Were just [concerned
with] working on us. Im not
worried about what the other
teams are doing. Its about what
were doing and how were
doing it.
I want to make sure that
defense-wise, were passing
sound. To me its about putting
our skills together and con-
necting. I want to see us grow
together as a team. Everyone
out there has great talent as
individuals, but I want us to put
all of it together.
Cole said that the challenge
of a new, tougher district will be
a welcome one.
Grandview is in District 10-
2A with Godley, Keene Smith,
Maypearl, Rio Vista, Tolar and
Whitney.
The Lady Zebras open the
season at Burleson Centennial
on Tuesday.
Grandviews district opener
is at Tolar on Sept. 7.
Experienced Lady Zebras shooting for
ffth straight playoff appearance
A.J. Crisp/CTR
Kolbi Rudduck and Grandview hope to make a fifth straight play-
off appearance, and the first under new head coach Melissa Cole.
8 9
9 JC Volleyball
By A.J. Crisp
sports@trCle.Com
Leadership and experience
are often two overlooked quali-
ties in sports because so much of
the attention is paid to a teams
athleticism and talent. But lead-
ership and experience are crucial
aspects in building a successful
program in team sports.
Those two intangibles are
something that the 2012 Godley
Lady Cats currently lack, said
coach Todd Weese.
We lost seven players off
of our team last year, Weese
said. We only have one senior
and three returning players. And
one of those girls is going to be
a sophomore. I think leadership
is going to be a big thing for
us. Were really, really young
and inexperienced. The kids
who were on varsity last year
are going to have to step up and
are going to have to fll those
leadership roles. The sooner that
happens, the better off well be.
Last year, Godley was
extremely experienced, and
that experience, along with the
chemistry of the team, helped
lead the Lady Cats to the Class
2A regional fnals.
Weese started the Godley vol-
leyball program upon his arrival
11 years ago, and despite facing
the challenge of a young and
inexperienced team, he said their
expectations are as high as ever.
Our expectation is to be
in the playoffs in November,
Weese said. I told them they
dont want to be the frst Godley
team in fve years that havent
made the playoffs. This year
since we have so many kids
that are new and were kind of
rebuilding, our slogan or motto
is overcoming obstacles. Thats
our team slogan this year is to
overcome our inexperience and
youth, but to still be successful.
With so much turnover in just
one year, Weese is still trying to
ft the puzzle pieces together.
We need to fgure out a
rotation, and its going to have
to happen pretty quick, Weese
said. Those three that were on
varsity are going to have to get
used to playing with the kids
who were on JV or the eighth-
grade team. We could have two
or three freshmen on varsity and
the rest of the kids that were
moving up were on JV last year.
Its a matter of time for when
they get used to playing next to
someone theyve never played
with before. Itll take a little
while getting used to playing
with each other.
I think if we can come
together by district, we can reach
our goal of going further than we
did the year before.
Lyndsie James (senior setter),
Courtney Traylor (junior setter),
Jacie Smith (sophomore middle
blocker) are the key players for
the Lady Cats this season, Weese
said.
Theyre going to have to
carry a big load. A couple of
other juniors weve got are
Callie Mantooth (junior), Casey
Richardson (junior), Breanna
Hunt (junior) and sophomore
Leanna James, who can play
about anywhere we need her to.
Godley opens its season at
home against Dallas Life Acad-
emy at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. The
Lady Cats are then scheduled to
play in the Grandview Tourna-
ment Aug. 16-18.
Godleys District 10-2A
opener is Sept. 11 at Whitney.
A.J. Crisp/CTR
Sophomore Leanna James will play anywhere we need her to for
Godley and head coach Todd Weese.
Inexperienced Godley hopes to
keep postseason run alive
By A.J. Crisp
sports@trCle.Com
After a down year in which Rio Vista
missed the playoffs, coach Liza Guajardo has
high expectations for the Lady Eagles in her
second season as their coach.
Were looking very promising, she said.
I have a good group of seniors coming up.
This year, we have lots of leadership and
more team unity than we did last year. Last
year was a bumpy run. Its a lot easier this
year because the feel of the team is smoother
than it was last year.
That group of seniors consists of Krissa
Reese, Jordan Rotha and Macy Moreno.
Guajardo will also count on junior Haley
Hennis to lead a large group of juniors that
make up the varsity team. There are seven
returning varsity players from last years
team.
Rio Vista also has a couple of transfer stu-
dents that will likely play key roles this year,
including junior Hannah Kamphaus.
The biggest difference [this year] I think
is the skill level has completely changed,
Guajardo said. When I came in, I was trying
to readjust all of their skills because there
was so many bad habits. During the off-sea-
son, thats all weve done. So now were at
the level thats expected of a varsity instead
of having to build up to that level.
Rio Vista made the playoffs the year
before Guajardo became the head coach, and
after a one-year absence, she believes the
Lady Eagles are prime for a playoff berth.
This year, I think our expectations are
to at least make the playoffs, whether were
district champs, second place or third place,
she said. We just want to get there. We
didnt get there last year. I want to get there
again and see how far we can go. Last year
there were only two or three returning varsity
Continuity and leadership strong suits in Rio Vista
See RIO VISTA, Page 11
10 11
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10 JC Volleyball
By A.J. Crisp
sports@trCle.Com
Joshua struggled to a sixth-
place fnish in District 7-4A last
year as a young and inexperienced
team, but the Lady Owls are
looking to build on the lessons
they learned last year and turn that
experience into a playoff berth
this season in District 8-4A.
Right now, it seems like
were further along this year at
this time than we were last year
at this time, said frst-year head
coach Craig Bethel, who took
over the team last year when
Heather Strebeck left for mater-
nity leave. A lot of that has to do
with four returning seniors that
were starters last year. We have
eight seniors overall that were in
the program last year, with some
of them on JV. A lot of that helps,
as far as them knowing what we
want, them knowing how we
structure our offense and defense.
Theyre just familiar with each
other on the court, so that helps.
Despite a sixth-place fnish,
the 2011 season was one of the
better in recent Joshua history.
Last year, the Lady Owls recorded
the most wins in a season since
2008, and Bethel expects them to
improve on that.
I think were ready to take
the next step towards making a
playoff run, he said. The new
district defnitely helps a little
bit, getting Granbury out of the
district, because theyre a pow-
erhouse in volleyball. Cleburnes
going to be good. Burlesons
going to be good. We played Cen-
tennial last year and theyre good.
But I think we can compete more
district-wide than we did last year.
I think the district is more of
a level playing feld this year than
it was last year. Not to say that
the level of play is going down.
Everybody was young last year.
Were going to be better, I think
Burlesons going to be better,
Centennials going to be better
just because they have another
year of varsity experience. Crow-
leys got a bunch of good girls
coming up. ... I think the quality
of volleyball is getting better but
everybodys about on the same
page.
Despite the transition of a
new head coach, there is a lot of
continuity in the program.
Its a little bit new, but for the
most part were running the same
defense and offense as we did last
year, said Bethel, who was the
varsity assistant the previous two
years.
The Lady Owls relied heavily
on a pair of freshmen last year in
Calie Payne and Ashley Brackel,
but that year on varsity has helped
improve their games, and, paired
with the experienced seniors,
makes Joshua prime for a playoff
run.
Our sophomores are very ath-
letic and their volleyball knowl-
edge is unbelievable, Bethel
said. Last year, they played for
a national championship in their
club team. They play all the time.
Im looking forward to getting
them all on the court at the same
time this year.
Senior outside hitter Maddison
Moad, senior Hannah Nelson,
who can play middle blocker and
outside or right-side hitter, and
Kathryn Martin, Joshuas libero,
are three returning starters with
three years of varsity experience.
Payne was second in blocks
behind Nelson last season.
I think the experience level
on the court is the biggest differ-
ence this year, Bethel said. Last
year, we had freshman that were
key players. They went straight
from eighth-grade ball to varsity
ball. Three of our seniors have
been starting since they were
sophomores. Theyve played all
summer together in two different
leagues. I think its going to be an
exciting season.
Bethel is trying to build
Joshuas volleyball program in
a similar way that Coach Jerry
Bird is trying to build the Joshua
football program, and thats from
the middle school and up.
Our JV group last year was
a bunch of freshmen, and they
won district, Bethel said. Were
looking forward to not just the
varsity season, but we want the
JV to do well and the freshmen to
do well. Were trying to start our
program out at seventh grade and
build the program as a whole. I
dont want just the varsity to be
successful. I want all of our teams
to be successful.
The Lady Owls open their
season Tuesday at Azle.
The time is now for the Lady Owls
A.J. Crisp/CTR
Sophomore Calie Payne will be a key component in Joshuas play-
off hopes.
10 11
11 JC Volleyball
players, and this year we have
seven coming back, so thatll be
easier to work with because they
already know how each other
plays.
The view from outsiders re-
garding Rio Vista athletics is that
the programs stock, as a whole,
is going down, but Guajardo
begs to differ.
I know before that people
used to say that Rios athletics
are going down, she said. Its
tough when theyre switching
coaches every year. Even with
me being in my second year has
made a big difference already.
The girls last year asked where I
was going next year, and it kind
of freaked them out when I said I
was staying.
Rio Vistas season opens in
Carthage at the Carthage Tour-
nament on Thursday, and its
something that the Lady Eagles
have been anticipating for quite
a while.
We have a big tournament
coming up with a bunch of 4A
and 5A schools, Guajardo
said. I made this schedule a
lot tougher this year, instead
of playing 1As and 2As. That
tournament is our focus right
now because we dont have a
game on Tuesday. Were focus-
ing on getting three wins to open
the season to get in the winners
bracket of that tournament.
When we play harder teams, it
makes playing our level easier
because we know how to adjust
to it.
rio Vista
cont. from pg. 9
A.J. Crisp/CTR
Hannah Kamphaus, a transfer to Rio Vista, will be one of several
upperclassmen coach Liza Guajardo will rely on this year.
By A.J. Crisp
sports@trCle.Com
The 2012 Keene Lady Chargers will face a
similar problem that the 2011 squad faced
lack of size.
But despite the lack of size, the Lady Char-
gers will still play their game and look to im-
prove on a team that won one district game last
year its last of the season.
Right when we started fguring things out
last year, the season ended, said Keene coach
Michelle Connelly. So hopefully we can build
on that. Weve been working hard.
For a program that has yet to make the play-
offs in 10 years of existence, the expectations
for Keene are never high from an outsiders
view, but Connelly believes the Lady Chargers
can take a big step forward in District 10-2A.
I would like to see us win half of our dis-
trict games, she said. That would be a really
good goal for us. Theyve been working hard
and have had a good attitude.
Junior Jenna Bulles and sophomore Zayda
Gonzalez will be two of the Lady Chargers key
players this season, Connelly said. Bulles is the
teams best passer and digger, and Gonzalez will
be the setter.
Im looking for good things from those
two, said Connelly, entering her 10th year at
Keene. We have one senior. And then I have
several juniors and then the rest are underclass-
men. We only had one senior last year, too. I
think weve gained some leadership this year
that we didnt have last year. That was some-
thing we really struggled with the last few years
was leadership. Ive already seen some kids
step up and Im hoping that will help. Theyve
worked really hard this summer so Im hoping
that will transfer to this year, too.
Due to a lack of size, the Lady Chargers
team philosophy this year is Dont let the balls
hit the foor. Keene will be a team that rarely
plays defense on the net. Instead, they will play
off the net and look to be one of the better dig-
ging teams in district.
Were not going to be getting a lot of
blocks, Connelly said. I would love to be
able to coach some height, but its been awhile.
Weve never been as small as we are this year
and were last year. What we have now is just
not very tall. We do everything else pretty well.
I think we were the best digging team last year.
We got lots of compliments on how many balls
we were able to dig. We dont have any big mid-
dles and everybody else does have big middles,
and its hard to compete with that.
Not having much size is not only a problem
defensively when it comes to blocks, but also
offensively in getting kills. Connelly has adapt-
ed her practices and said she sometimes bring
in some of the boys coaches to give the Lady
Chargers some practice against hard kills to im-
prove their defense and practice perfecting their
digging.
Two of Connellys middle blockers are Sev-
enth day Adventists, so they arent allowed to
play in games on Saturday or when the sun goes
down on Fridays, which poses a challenge.
Despite all of the challenges facing the
Keene Lady Chargers, Connelly and her team is
ready to get the 2012 season started.
Part of the reason theyve worked so hard
this summer is because they want to be better
than they were last year, Connelly said. Im
very blessed. I have good kids who have good
morals. They work hard. They may not be tall or
have support that other schools have, but theyre
good kids.
Keene opens its season Tuesday Boyd at
home. District play begins Sept. 7 against May-
pearl.
A.J. Crisp/CTR
Pamela Marquez works on her serving dur-
ing Keenes practice.
Challenges abound for Lady Chargers
12 13
12 JC Volleyball
12
Alvarado volleyball schedule
DATE OPPONENT TIME
Aug. 14 Northside 11 a.m.
Aug. 16/18 Grandview Tournament TBD
Aug. 17 Poly Tech 10 a.m.
Aug. 21 at Rio Vista/Covington Dual 5 p.m.
Aug. 24-25 Brewer Tournament TBD
Aug. 28 at Toler 5:30 p.m.
8/30 & 9/1 Southwest Tournament TBD
Aug. 31 Southwest 6 p.m.
Sept. 4 Ferris 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 7 West 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 11 at Dunbar 6 p.m.
Sept. 14 Everman 5 p.m.
Sept. 18 at Castleberry 6 p.m.
Sept. 21 Glen Rose* 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 25 Hillsboro* 6 p.m.
Sept. 28 Boswell* 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 at Stephenville* 6 p.m.
Oct. 5 at Venus* 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 9 at Glen Rose* 6 p.m.
Oct. 12 at Hillsboro* 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 16 Grandview 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 19 Stephenville* 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 23 Venus* 6 p.m.
* Denotes 7-3A contest
Burleson volleyball schedule
DATE OPPONENT TIME
Aug. 14 Stephenville 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 17-18 Bev Ball Classic TBD
Aug. 21 Central 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 24-25 Granbury Tournament TBD
Aug. 28 Granbury 6:30 p.m.
8/30-9/1 Argyle Inv. TBD
Sept. 4 Aledo 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 7 at Waco Univ.* 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 11 Waco High* 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 14 Joshua* 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 18 at Cleburne* 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 21 at Burleson Centennial* 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 25 at Crowley* 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 28 Everman* 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 Waco Univ.* 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 5 at Waco High* 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 9 at Joshua* 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 12 Cleburne* 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 16 Burleson Centennial* 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 19 Crowley* 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 23 at Everman* 6:30 p.m.
* Denotes District 8-4A contest
Godley volleyball schedule
DATE OPPONENT TIME
Aug. 14 at Dallas Life 5:30 p.m.
Aug. 16/18 Grandview Tournament TBD
Aug. 21 at Jacksboro 5 p.m.
Aug. 23/25 Glen Rose Tournament TBD
Aug. 28 Castleberry 5:30 p.m.
8/30-9/1 Dublin Tournament TBD
Aug. 31 Mineral Wells 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 4 Kennedale 6 p.m.
Sept. 7 at Millsap 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 11 at Whitney* 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 14 at Tolar* 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 18 Keene* 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 21 at Rio Vista* 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 25 Grandview* 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Millsap* 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 5 Whitney* 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 9 Tolar* 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 12 at Keene* 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 16 Rio Vista* 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 19 at Grandview* 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 23 at Maypearl* 6:30 p.m.
* District 10-2A match
Cleburne volleyball schedule
DATE OPPONENT TIME
Aug. 14 at Southwest 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 16-18 MISD Tournament TBD
Aug. 21 at Keller 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 19-20 Byron Nelson Classic TBD
Aug. 23 at Grand Prairie 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 24-25 Byron Nelson Classic TBD
Aug. 28 Mansfeld Lake Ridge 6:30 p.m.
8-30/9-1 Leander Tournament TBD
Sept. 4 at Brewer 6 p.m.
Sept. 7 at Crowley* 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 11 Joshua* 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 14 Everman* 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 18 Burleson* 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 21 at Waco University* 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 25 at Burleson Centennial* 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 28 Waco High* 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 Crowley* 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 5 at Joshua* 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 9 at Everman* 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 12 at Burleson* 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 16 Waco University* 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 19 Burleson Centennial* 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 23 at Waco* 6:30 p.m.
* District 8-4A match
12 13
13 JC Volleyball
12
Joshua volleyball schedule
DATE OPPONENT TIME
Aug. 14 at Azle Dual TBD
Aug. 16/18 EMS Tournament TBD
Aug. 21 Glen Rose/Mineral Wells TBD
Aug. 23-25 Glen Rose Tournament TBD
Aug. 28 South Hills 6:30 p.m.
8/30-9/1 Argyle Tourney TBA
Sept. 4 at Weatherford 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 7 Waco High* 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 11 at Cleburne* 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 14 at Burleson* 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 18 at Burleson Centennial* 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 21 Crowley* 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 25 Everman* 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Waco University* 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 at Waco High* 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 5 Cleburne* 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 9 Burleson* 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 12 Burleson Centennial* 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 16 at Crowley* 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 19 at Everman* 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 23 Waco University* 6:30 p.m.
* District 8-4A match
Rio Vista volleyball schedule
DATE OPPONENT TIME
Aug. 16/18 Carthage Tournament TBD
Aug. 17 Carthage 6 p.m.
Aug. 21 Covington/Alvarado TBD
Aug. 23 Robinson Tournament TBD
Aug. 24 Venus 7 p.m.
Aug. 28 at Blum 6 p.m.
Aug. 31 at Clifton 7 p.m.
Sept. 4 Hico 7 p.m.
Sept. 7 at Whitney* 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 11 at Keene* 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 14 Maypearl* 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 21 Godley* 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 25 Tolar* 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 28 Grandview* 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 Whitney* 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 5 Keene* 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 9 at Maypearl* 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 12 Clifton Dig Pink 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 16 at Godley* 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 25 at Maypearl* 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 19 at Tolar* 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 23 at Grandview 6:30 p.m.
* District 10-2A match
Centennial volleyball schedule
DATE OPPONENT TIME
Aug. 14 Dual Ranch/Grandview TBD
Aug. 17-18 Saginaw Tournament TBD
Aug. 21 Ennis/Groesbeck Dual 4 p.m.
Aug. 24-25 Granbury Tournament TBD
Aug. 28 Springtown 4:30 p.m.
8/30-9/1 Robinson Tournament TBD
Sept. 4 Maypearl 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 7 Everman* 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 11 at Waco Univ.* 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 14 at Waco High* 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 18 Joshua* 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 21 Burleson* 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 25 Cleburne* 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Crowley* 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 at Everman* 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 5 Waco University* 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 9 Waco High* 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 12 at Joshua* 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 16 at Burleson* 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 19 at Cleburne* 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 23 Crowley* 6:30 p.m.
* District 8-4A match
Keene volleyball schedule
DATE OPPONENT TIME
Aug. 14 Boyd 2 p.m.
Aug. 16/18 Venus Tournament TBA
Aug. 21 at Millsap 6 p.m.
Aug. 23-25 Keene Tournament TBA
Aug. 28 NCA at Crowley 6 p.m.
Aug. 31 Venus 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 4 NCA 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 7 Maypearl* 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 11 Rio Vista* 5 p.m.
Sept. 14 at Grandview* 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 18 at Godley* 5 p.m.
Sept. 21 Tolar* 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 25 at Whitney* 5 p.m.
Oct. 2 at Maypearl* 5 p.m.
Oct. 5 at Rio Vista* 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 9 Grandview* 5 p.m.
Oct. 12 Godley* 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 16 at Tolar* 5 p.m.
Oct. 19 Whitney* 4:30 p.m.
* District 10-2A match
14
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