Page 4C August 21, 2019
iRL porter
By Richard Dumas Huffsaid her 2019
forsyth@mymcr.net squad has worked hard
over the summer and has
An experienced 2019 shown a lot of improve-
Mary Persons volley- ment in early-season
ball team will try to get practices.
back to the AAAA state "We have good talent
playoffs for the first time and a lot of potential"
since 2016. Huffsaid. "I have a lot
The Volley Dogs have of expectations for this
some much-needed con- season. We may surprise
tinuity in the program some people:'
as head coach Stephanie The Volley Dogs got
Huff returns for her sec- the season off to a prom-
ond season after a 4-18 ising start with a three-
initial campaign in 2018. set road victory over
Along with Huff, the Baldwin on Aug. 8. MP
Volley Dogs bring back took the first set 25-19
five promising varsity before dropping the sec-
players from a year ago, ond set 19-25. The Volley
all of whom are seniors Dogs then regrouped to
in 2019. beat the Lady Braves 15-
In fact, with the addi- 11 in the third set for the
tion of senior newcom- two sets to one win.
ers Lauren Abrams and Huff said MP played
Abby Gray, seven of MP's well against Baldwin,
11 varsity players are especially serving, but
seniors. Varsity return- struggled with nerves in
ers include fourth-year some big moments. Not
varsity standout Kaylee surpri3in~ly, I Iuff said
Swafford, a talented her team is still a work
server and defensive in progress in terms of
specialist, a pair of third- playing with confidence
year varsity performers and communicating with
Taylor Miner and Teresa one another.
Wilcox, and second-year MP opened the season
players Anokhi Patel and with a starting lineup
Lindsie Robbins. featuring four seniors,
Joining the veterans on Miner, Robbins, Swaf-
varsity are four junior ford and Wilcox, and
newcomers: Reagan two juniors, McCowell
Dorrity, Alexis McCow- and Reichert. Huffsaid
ell, Kali Reichert and although she kept 11
Alauna Robinson. varsity players, she will
MARY PERSONS 2019 VARSITY VOLLEYBALL TEAM: Pictured from left to right on the front row: Kali Reichert, Lindsie
Robbins, Kaylee Swafford, Anokhi Patel and Reagan Dorritv. Pictured from left to right on the back row: Lauren Abrams, Teresa
Wilcox, Alexis McCowell, Alauna Robinson, Taylor Miner, Abby Gray and head coach Stephanie Huff. (Photo/Richard Dumas)
customarily utilize ancoach on the college expects other tradition- face the home Lady Red
eight-man rotation. She level, said she's working ally strong rivals like Devils at 5 p.m. before
said she's challenged to form a team at MP Spalding, West Laurens taking on Griffin at 6
her reserves to perform that's "dominant on the and Upson-Lee to pro-p.m. Meanwhile, the MP
well enough when they front row and scrappy in vide stiff competition for JV volleyball squad will
get the chance to be in the back:' the Volley Dogs in their next compete in a three-
that top eight and said "Defense is a must;' quest to crack the top team match at Stratford
she expects her backups Huff said. "We're work- four in area and return Academy on Tuesday,
to be "encouraging and ing on that, but we've got to the state playoffs. Aug. 27. The IV Volley
supportive" at all times, good size this year:'The Volley Dogs will Dogs will face the home
Huff, a Junior Olympics Perry is the reigningnext travel to Jackson Lady Eagles at 4 p.m.
champion as a player in Area 2-AAAA cham- for a three-team match before taking on Warner
volleyball and a former pion, and Huff said she on Thursday. MP will Robins at 5 p.m.
2019 MP JV Volleyball
DATE OPPONENT LOCATION
ule
TIME
Aug. 22 Jackson Jackson
Aug. 22 Griffin Jackson
Aug. 27 Stratford Stratford
Aug. 27 Warner Robins Stratford
Aug. 29 FPD FPD
Aug. 29 Upson-Lee FPD
Sept. 4 West Laurens West Laurens
Sept. 4 Gatewood West Laurens
Sept. 12 Central (Macon) Home
Sept. 12 Tattnall Square Home
Sept. 17 Heritage Home
Sept. 17 Jackson Home
Sept. 25 West Laurens Home
Sept. 25 Spalding Home
5 p.m.
6 p.m.
4 p.m.
5 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
5 p.m.
6 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
5 p.m.
7 p.m.
5 p.m.
7 p.m.
MP 9th
DATE OPPONENT
Volleyball Schedule
LOCATION TIME
Sept. 4 West Laurens
Sept. 12 Tattnall Square
Sept. 25 ACE
West Laurens 6 p.m.
Home 4:30 p.m.
Home 5 p.m.
2019
MP Varsity Volleyball
DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME
Aug. 22 Jackson Jackson
Aug. 22 Griffin Jackson
Aug. 27 Stratford Stratford
Aug. 27 Warner Robins Stratford
Aug. 29 FPD FPD
Aug. 29 Upson-Lee FPD
Sept. 5 Perry* . Spalding
Sept. 5 Spalding* Spalding
Sept. 12 West Laurens* Upson-Lee
Sept. 12 Upson-Lee* Upson-Lee
Sept. 17 Heritage Home
Sept. 17 Jackson Home
Sept. 19 Howard* Home
Sept. 19 Spalding* Home
Sept. 26 West Laurens* Perry
Sept. 26 Perry* Perry
Oct. 3 Upson-Lee* West Laurens
Oct. 3 Howard* West Laurens
Oct. 9 FPD Home
Oct. 9 ACE Home
Oct. 10 Westside (St. Night)Home
Oct. 12 Area 2-AAAA Tourney Perry
Oct. 19 TBD (1st Round State) TBD
Oct. 22 TBD (2nd Round State) TBD
Oct. 26 TBD (Quar'mrfinals State) TBD
Oct. 29 TBD (Semifinals State) TBD
Nov. 2 TBD (Finals State) TBD
* Denotes Area 2-AAAA contest
5 p.m.
6 p.m.
5 p.m.
6 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
5p.m.
6 p.m.
5 p.m.
7 p.m.
5 p.m.
7 >.m.
6 ).m.
7 Db.m.
6 o.m.
7 o.m.
5 ~.m.
7 o.m.
5 ~.m.
7 o.m.
5:30 p.m.
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
