For five straight years Shady Spring has played its way into the state volleyball tournament.
The last three years, the Tigers ended the season in the championship match, winning the title in 2020.
Championship Saturday is again the desired destination for head coach Kelly Williams’ crew, however, the road to the title match this year, will likely be a little more bumpy.
“I have a group of girls that are willing to do what I ask them to do. We are definitely green and we are a lot younger,” Williams said. “We have a lot of work to do on footwork and basic skills, but the good thing is they seem like they are up to the challenge. It’s a work in progress, but I am liking what I see so far.”
Shady Spring will be tasked with replacing three players that have moved on to play college volleyball, including first-team all-state setter Kelsie Dangerfield, second-team all-stater Peydon Smith and back row stalwart Aly Holdren.
While Shady will be young in places, the Tigers do return two first team all-staters to lead the way in Meg Williams and Chloe Thompson. The big hitting combo has already committed to play volleyball for Concord University next year.
“There are some vital positions that have to be filled this year and it will take a lot of work,” Thompson said. “The girls we lost had worked for four years to get where they were and now we are starting fresh.”
Both of the senior leaders are well aware of what it will take to make another trip to Charleston this year.
“I think we will be really good this year, but we definitely have to keep working hard each day,” the younger Williams said. “We are not like we’ve been the last few years. We are young, which is alright, but we will have to work really hard.”
Their commitment to hard work has been evident all summer according to their coach.
“They really haven’t stopped playing volleyball. They traveled and they have played over the summer,” Coach Williams said. “They have gone to camps and things, so they are ready to go. They are bigger and stronger and they are excited for their senior year.”
“They are coming out everyday and trying to be good leaders and that has been obvious,” Williams went on to say. “They realize this is a different challenge than what they have had before, but they have wrapped their arms around these girls and made them feel welcome.”
The biggest question mark for the Tigers will be at the setter position where Shady has had an all-state player each year during its run to states.
“We have girls that are learning how to set. Many of them have gone to camps because they knew that would be a challenge this year,” Coach Williams said. “They have worked really hard to better their craft. I know I keep saying it’s a work in progress, but I probably won’t stop saying that.”
Although the position is still up in the air, junior Haley Sweeney, freshman Reagan Mann and sophomore Kadence Stump have all been working to fill that vital role.
“I think with patience and the fact that the girls have been willing to work with them and encourage them, they will be fine. We are going to be good. We just have to put in our time,” Coach Williams said.
Meg Williams also talked about helping the setters adjust to the spotlight.
“I know Chloe and I both have to work harder than ever. We may not be filling those positions, but we are helping out in those positions,” Williams said. “It takes a lot, but we can do it. We will definitely have to have more patience. We just have to learn how to trust each other and build the relationships like we did last year.”
Along with Sweeney, Shady Spring will have Camille Testerman back who brings a powerful swing along with Rachel Mann who was impressive in her freshman year.
“I’m going to need Rachel especially on the defensive side, but I may also put her on the outside. That could change, but we need another swing out there,” Williams said. “Camille will be our other middle, while Chloe and Reagan will be another outside blocker.”
The younger Mann was a dynamic player in middle school and Williams is hoping that translates to the high school level.
“I think Reagan is up for the challenge and she is a competitor. She wants to be on the floor and she is willing to do whatever it takes to get on the floor,” Williams said. “They have all done a (volleyball) circuit and been at camps all summer long.”
Shady Spring has made state tournament trip look routine over the past few years, but the Tigers are taking nothing for granted this year.
“We come in and work hard every single day. We know that we have new challenges,” Coach Williams said. “It will not be an easy road. Hopefully with the hard work and dedication that we have had and the girls knowing what my expectations are, we can make it happen.”
The Tigers will scrimmage at Greenbrier East Thursday before hosting a scrimmage against Philip Barbour Saturday morning. Shady will open the regular season Aug. 27 by hosting a quad with Class AAA foes George Washington, Huntington and Cabell Midland.
