There is a storm brewing on top of the hill in Coal City.
The Independence volleyball team is hoping the tempest it is creating will be large enough push them into the postseason this year.
“The chemistry has been really good and it is a team that’s happy for each other’s success. I think it starts with a strong senior class. This group is willing to do whatever it takes to get past sectionals,” head coach Kevin Bragg said. “It is tough just getting out of our section, but this is a team that can do it. I feel like you will see a lot of growth with this group from beginning to the end of the season.”
The excitement surrounding the Patriots is tied largely to a veteran group of returners that are versatile and athletic.
Among that veteran group is five returning starters overall and a trio of seniors that have started every year of their high school career.
The senior threesome that will anchor the Patriots include Jaina Davis, Skylar Wooten and Lilli Honaker.
“Jaina has played every position for me over her career,” Bragg said. “She has dressed libero and last year she played a rotation at middle. She sets, she hits and she blocks. Jaina has been a true utility player and she keeps everybody in check for us.”
Outside of volleyball, Honaker is a top level gymnast that has a workout motor that is always on full blast.
“Lilli is quiet, but everybody respects her and she has improved every year. She will go for five hours in the gym and then want to come and do our workouts. Five hours of gymnastics is a lot of work,” Bragg said. “Lilli is also very versatile and can jump out of the gym. She has really started to swing with authority and that is what I need from her.”
After an ATV accident during her sophomore season resulted in some fractured vertebrae and subsequently threatened her career, Wooton has returned to be a dynamic weapon for Independence.
“Skylar is a big hitter. I dressed her libero once this summer and her passing and setting skills were great,” Bragg said. “She is another versatile player that can jump and is solid on the back row.”
The big time bomb dropper for the Patriots is junior Aubree Cantrell who keeps advancing her game each season.
“Aubree is very encouraging and is really good with the underclassmen. She has captain written all over her,” Bragg said. “She has always been good, but every year she comes back from Club Attack with something new added to her game. I always want her on the floor and I look for a big year out of her.”
“I don’t care of she swings from the back row or the front, she is one of the better hitters,” Bragg went on to say. “She is also a good passer and she plays the middle. It’s hard to play middle for me because my middles block every time the ball goes up. It doesn’t matter if it is outside, I want them up and that is a lot.”
The fourth senior is Kristen Gibson who is a first year player at Independence.
“Kristen is a really smart kid. I think she will be a player that I can put wherever we need someone,” Bragg said.
The Patriots will also have Kamryn Wooten and Bella Green back who saw time last year and were solid contributors.
“Kamryn may play a little more outside this year and she can jump too. She has improved over the winter,” Bragg said. “Last year she was a good blocker, but her hitting is much better. She could play some middle too. Bella Green is just an athlete. When she hits in the correct position, she hits hard. I really have some athletes on this team.”
Emma Simpson had a solid season as a freshman at Wyoming East and she has brought her skills to Coal City this year.
“Emma Simpson is a great back row player and she is a gamer as they say,” Bragg said. “When the game starts, she shines. I can easily make her the libero.”
Rylie Froble came to Independence from Woodrow Wilson as is described as another do-it-all player, along with Kaleigh Wilhite who will also see some time on the back row.
Bragg has 20 girls on the roster and a strong core of freshman that could see varsity time as the year progresses.
“I have never had this problem before. It has been difficult, but a nice problem to have. They have all been responding well to the competition,” Bragg said. “The JV will be competitive as well and the freshman will be pushing the older ones.”
