The Hawley volleyball team rolled to a 17-10 record a year ago and won the District 6-2A title with a 13-1 mark before being upset in the area around of the playoffs. The Lady Bearcats return three starters off last season’s squad.
“We lost several players from last year’s team,” said head coach Amy Eckhoff, who is beginning her ninth season at Hawley, “so there will be a big learning curve in the beginning. We will start putting the pieces of the puzzle together come August. I have no doubt that we will be ready when it counts. I would say at this time our biggest strength is the girls are eager to work, learn and compete.”
A pair of sophomores who played important roles as freshmen on last year’s district championship team will play key roles for the Bearcats this season. Kinley Corley, who was a defensive specialist, will be an outside hitter and setter this season.
“This year she will be a six-rotation player,” Eckhoff explained. “Kinley is an exceptional athlete and will have no problems taking on this key role for her team.”
Corley led the team last year with 104 digs and 66 aces with a 91.3 serving percentage.
Another sophomore is 6-2 middle blocker Shaylynn Bailey, who paced the team with 92 kills, a .173 hitting percentage and 24 blocks.
“She learned a lot last year as a freshman in that position,” Eckhoff stated. “She will be key in our offense as well as put up a big block at the net.”
Setter Brianne McKinney led the team with 204 assists last year.
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