Hanceville's Molly Morgan is ready to receive the ball in a match with Jasper JV. / Johnny Thornton
HANCEVILLE – Wallace State Community College welcomed 11 varsity teams and 16 junior varsity teams to campus Monday for its annual volleyball team camp series.
Among the varsity teams participating locally were Cold Springs, Good Hope, Hanceville and West Point. Each got the opportunity to play on the floor of Tom Drake Coliseum, with multiple courts set up.
Monday was pool play with teams to be seeded after having three game assignments. Good Hope was in Pool A with Jasper (formerly Walker High School), Winston County and Priceville.
Cold Springs took part in Pool B with Providence Christian, Springville and Brewer.
Hanceville and West Point were paired in Pool C, along with Geraldine and Jasper's junior varsity.
For Good Hope, it was a chance to get on the floor to gain some experience under new coach Natasha Holcombe. Holcombe was officially hired during a July 13 meeting of the Cullman County Board of Education. Raven Aby is serving as her assistant.
Good Hope has experience returning with middle hitter Kate Kent, outside hitter Leyton Seal, setter Chrissi Smith and outside hitter Skyler Tucker.
Cold Springs worked hard Monday against some elite teams with Providence Christian very solid from the Dothan area, while Springville is an outstanding 5A program out of St. Clair County and Brewer with a history of success competing in 6A.
Amy Chambers at Hanceville will look for experienced personnel such as Malia Howell, Karmen Johnson, Kierra Merriweather and Lauren Robertson, plus Mattellan Rusk, Kaitlyn Shultz, Dinah Hudson and Molly Morgan to create depth for the Lady Bulldogs.
West Point coach Regina Jones will utilize the play of Makenzie Carter and Lexi Shadix up front, with a hard-working group to give them consistency serving and receiving the ball.
Each team finished Monday with three games in pool play, and will face different opponents in the second segment on Tuesday, with the tournament format to come into play on Wednesday at Wallace State.
Prep teams can start fall practice on Aug. 7 with many to open the season on Aug. 31. Good Hope will begin the Holcombe era that day with a tri-match at home against Cold Springs and Vinemont.
West Point opens the season at Corner while Hanceville will be in a tri-match vs. defending county champion Fairview and Holly Pond at Lane Horton Gymnasium the 31st.
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