Three-for-three: Lady Jacket seniors talk regional All ‘A’ three-peat, their hopes for state tourney, more

WHS Volleyball Seniors

With victories over Oneida Baptist Institute, Jackson County and Pineville, the Williamsburg Lady Jackets volleyball team recently won its third consecutive All “A” regional championship title. The accomplishment means they will return to the All “A” state tournament later this week at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond.

For three senior Lady Jackets – Abigail Stephens, Lylah Mattingly and Allison Creekmore – this will be the last chance to go to state and secure a Kentucky All “A” Classic tournament victory. With the support of newcomer Lizzie Paulotto, a senior foreign exchange student from Italy, these ladies are hopeful of achieving that goal later this week.

“Abigail, Allison and myself have all played since our freshman year,” Mattingly said. “I feel like we’ve all grown a lot, and that the team has gotten better with each year. We have been capable each year, but it has all depended on if we can work well together as a team to achieve our goals. I feel like we have been able to come together and do that.”

“I think we faced some pretty tough competition,” Stephens said of the Lady Jackets’ recent regional All “A” title defense. “Our energy and effort was where it needed to be, though, and that really helped us to win.”

Paulotto may not have been a big contributor on the floor during the All “A” tourney, but she played her part in the victory by supporting her teammates in whatever ways they needed it. “It was great,” she said of the experience. “I loved it. In Italy, we don’t really have teams like this, so it has been a very cool experience for me. I feel like I am part of the community here. I feel a lot of love.”

Looking ahead, Williamsburg will be facing some stiff competition in this year’s state All “A” Classic, going up against a trio of talented opponents in pool play in the Region 16 champion Raceland Rams, the Region 9 champion St. Henry Crusaders and the Region 10 champion Lady Mustangs of Bishop Brossart.

“These are some tough teams,” said Creekmore. “I feel like we work a lot harder than many other teams, though, and we have a lot of fight in us.”

When asked about keys to victory, Creekmore explained that it would be important to always keep the focus on the next point, adding that the tide can turn quickly in a game, so it’s best to not get bogged down by dwelling on plays that have already happened.

“We just have to play together, and keep moving,” Creekmore said.

“We have to keep a strong mindset, no matter what happens,” Stephens added. “It is going to be tough competition, but if we stick together as a team and play with confidence, then I think we’ll be fine.”

Mattingly said that this being the team’s third consecutive trip to a state tournament should help them when it comes to not allowing the moment to overwhelm them. She also credited Head Coach Dirk Berta with adequately preparing the Lady Jackets for what’s to come, saying, “He cares about us a lot, and I don’t think we would be as close as we are, as a team, without him.”

Before the Williamsburg volleyball team makes the trip to Richmond this Friday, they will travel to Corbin for a district contest this Thursday evening.

Photos courtesy of CARRIE MATTINGLY