Fall 2019 Preview: Pleasant Hope Volleyball

By Chris Parker

Pleasant Hope volleyball won double-digit matches for the first time since 2013 last year finishing 12-15-1 last year.

“A combination of things have occurred in the last few years that I believe has set the program on a better trajectory,” Pleasant Hope head coach Crystal Turner said. “Softball moved to spring only last year. This meant getting Janae Shirk, along with some other fine athletes from our softball tradition contributing athleticism and winning habits to the volleyball team. Also the amount of ladies playing volleyball and working on volleyball skills in the off-season has increased. Lastly, a change from the MLC (Mid-Lakes Conference) to newly formed SWC (Southwest Conference) still presents a challenging schedule, but does not have us facing the powerful Strafford and Fair Grove programs in our regular season.”

Shirk led the Lady Pirates in kills (121) and blocks (17) last year, which earned her honorable mention all-conference honors. She will return to the middle in her senior season.

“Janae has continued to build her volleyball abilities over the club season and she looked good in summer league. We expect her to be a leader again, as she was our co-captain last year along with our lone varsity senior. She brings a more versatile attack arsenal this year, so we expect her to terminate both as an attacker and blocker,” Turner said.

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Sophomore Jianna Halbrook gives Pleasant Hope another returning honorable mention all-conference selection. Halbrook finished in the top two in kills, aces, blocks, digs and serve-receives for the Lady Pirates last year as a freshman. She will play all over for the Lady Pirates this year.

“She is natural athlete, with a high sports IQ, and she cares about doing everything right,” Turner said. “Throughout the 2018 season, Ji‘s ability to influence games grew as her overall coordination grew. As that continues to improve, matched with her work in lessons this summer, she could be among the top sophomores in the area.”

Five other players in seniors Gwenyth McClain (outside hitter/middle back) and Ashanti Price (outside hitter/libero) along with juniors Keighlyn Johnson (setter/outside hitter), Karleigh Lane (outside hitter/middle back) and Mirabella Haney (outside hitter) return after seeing significant varsity time last year. All three juniors are two-year starters.

Sophomore transfer Taylor Burns will be a key setter for the Lady Pirates.

Depth will be a strength for Pleasant Hope while communication and movement are two things the Lady Pirates will be working on.

“Experience should also be on our side this year, as the team’s core shifts to upperclassmen,” Turner said. “We can get to the next level of volleyball only if we improve our defensive read and positioning. Our offense could be very difficult to defend if the ladies are willing to constantly communicate.”

Pleasant Hope travels to Pierce City on Aug. 27 for a jamboree. The Lady Pirates open the regular season on Sept. 3 at Everton.