By Chris Parker
This season will be a year of growth for the Licking volleyball team with an overall inexperienced roster set to take the court.
“We will be very inexperienced in most positions this coming year and with that comes a lot of growth throughout the season,” Licking head coach Tammy Gorman said. “Growth is playing at a faster pace, growth in understanding the game at a higher level, trusting the process of getting better and being patient.”
Jadyn Barnes returns for her senior season as an outside hitter. She led the team in kills with 281 last season. She is also the leading returning player in aces (23), blocks (13) and digs (232).
“Jadyn Barnes (has a) powerful arm on the outside,” Gorman said. “This summer she became very versatile in her shot selections and ability to hit from anywhere on the court. (She) will be a primary passer and a six-rotation player for us again this season. I look forward to watching Jadyn perform this season.”
Fellow senior Kate Mitchell will be at middle hitter.
“Kate Mitchell got in the weight room and has gained strength which is very valuable to Kate’s season,” Gorman said. “Kate does a good job blocking in the middle. This summer she worked on a variety of shots.”
Hadlee Davis played in every varsity set as a freshman contributing 162 digs. She will focus on setting this season.
“Hadlee Davis was a defensive player last year with some setting time,” Gorman said. “Hadlee is a natural athlete with a lot of court time as a basketball player. Her being a point guard transitions in to her running our offense. She is a good defensive player and reads the opponents well.”
Kylee Rinne (junior DS/libero) rounds out the returning players. She had 229 receptions and 162 digs as a sophomore.
“Kylee Rinne played as a defensive player last year and libero when Aubrey (Gorman), our libero last year, was out and did a great job,” Coach Gorman said. “I look for her to continue to improve of serve receive and defense. She is an athlete who reads the court well.”
The newcomers feature Addison Floyd (senior setter), Lily Godi (junior OH/RS), Avery Stephens (junior S/DS), Paxten Keeney (sophomore OH/MH), Penelope Huff (freshman MH/OH/S), Peyton Holland (freshman OH), Bailee Medlock (freshman DS/libero), Adalee Hart (freshman OH/MH) and Lilly Reed (freshman setter).
“We are setting standards for ourselves this year,” Coach Gorman said. “Things we expect to do as in passing a certain percentage, serving a certain ace to error ratio, etc. Our goal is to get better each game and put us in a position to go after a district title. We want to be playing our very best in October.”
