Area high school teams begin volleyball season Tuesday night

The Corbin Lady Redhounds Volleyball Team is on a mission to exceed its 2020 performance that ended with a 13th Region title and a trip to the state volleyball tournament.

Corbin swept the district and the region, including three wins over district rival Whitley County.

“We lost three seniors, but we have six starters returning who played a role last year,” Ross said.

Ross said two of the graduating seniors played the middle, meaning she has to fill that role.

“They know the speed of the game, so they know what they need to do,” Ross said of the players that will be stepping up to start.

In addition, Ross said Corbin will have a deep bench that includes multiple players who can come in and make plays.

“There will be a lot of learning moments,” Ross said. “The key is to take those learning moments and not let those things happen again.”

In the midst of a run of four consecutive 13th Region titles, Ross said she and her team are going into the season with high expectations.

“With our girls, they set the bar high for themselves,” Ross said. “They are not going to be okay with only putting in half of the work.”

“I hold them to high expectations as well, but we have a group of girls that are very determined,” Ross said.

Despite that success, Ross said that her team is not taking a 50th District or 13th Region title for granted in 2021.

“When it comes postseason time it can be anybody’s ball game,” Ross said. “Anybody is beatable.”

Corbin is scheduled to open its season on Aug. 19 at Wayne County, and then see its first district opponent on Aug. 24 at Whitley County.

“We always try to play teams outside the area,” Ross said. “Once you play a team so many times, you learn each other, so it isn’t of any benefit.”

Corbin will host Madison Central in the Lady Redhounds’ home opener on Aug. 25.

Corbin’s schedule also includes Fleming County, West Jessamine and East Carter.

“Going outside of the area will only make your team stronger,” Ross said noting seeing new things and being able to make adjustments on the fly will make Corbin a more well-rounded team.

Whitley County Lady Colonels

The Whitley County Lady Colonels Volleyball Team is coming into 2021 with a new coach in David Halcomb and a unity that Halcomb said could help lead them to the state tournament.

“That unity is one of the strengths of this team,” Halcomb said. “A lot of these girls are like best friends off the court.”

Halcomb coached for nine years, and is returning to the sideline after a three-year absence.

“It has been really good to get back,” Halcomb said.

Halcomb said former Coach Neysa Countryman has left the program in a good place.

The Lady Colonels finished the 2020 season with a 14-4 record, losing to Corbin in the 13th Region Tournament Final.

“We have a good mix of experience and good young talent,” Halcomb said. “They really work well together.”

The Whitley County faithful will have the opportunity to see the Lady Colonels in action right off the bat as they open the season Tuesday night at home against Somerset.

The early schedule will continue to test as the Lady Colonels travel to Bell County on Aug. 19 and then host Corbin on Aug. 24.

While acknowledging the success Corbin has had on the volleyball court with four consecutive 13 Region Titles, Halcomb said the key to success will be reinforcing the attitude among his players that they can play with anyone.

“You just have to be really positive and make them believe,” Halcomb said. “Always emphasize the positives so they can take from that and build from that. It is just a matter of pumping your kids full of confidence.”

Halcomb emphasized that while Corbin is the team others in the 50th District and 13th Region compare themselves to, no one can be overlooked.

“Williamsburg is the best up and coming team, and South Laurel is solid,” Halcomb said of the other 50th District teams.

In addition, Halcomb said Whitley County will face a number of teams from outside the area that will provide a good gauge of where the Lady Colonels stand.

On Aug. 28, Whitley County is scheduled to begin competition in the Champions of the Mountains Classic in Pikeville.

Whitley County is scheduled to play in the First Priority Lady Colonel Volleyball Classic beginning Sept. 25.

“There are 15 teams scheduled to compete, so we are going to see some quality competition,” Halcomb said.

No matter who the Lady Colonels are facing across the net, Halcomb said he has continually been preaching focus.

“You have to focus and be ready to do your job to help the team,” Halcomb said.

As to what his team must improve upon to be ready for the post season, Halcomb said it isn’t one specific thing.

“We have got several kids with hardly no varsity experience,” Halcomb said. “We need to get them that game experience.”

Williamsburg Lady Jackets

While the talk of local high school volleyball is Corbin and Whitley County, the Williamsburg Lady Jackets are looking to rebound from a 5-14 record in 2020 and get into the hunt for the 50th District and 13th Region titles.

Williamsburg Coach Dirk Berta said that begins with Williamsburg being more consistent on the court and more competitive, especially within the district.

“We are more concerned with ourselves,” Berta said noting that the Lady Jackets are returning 10 players with varsity experience.

Williamsburg is scheduled to open the season with a long road stretch that begins Tuesday at Harlan County.

The Lady Jackets will travel to Jackson County on Aug. 19, McCreary Central for the McCreary Central Invitational on Aug. 21, and then face Cumberland Homeschool Athletic Teams on Aug. 24 and Corbin on Aug. 26, both at Corbin.

Williamsburg is scheduled to host Jellico on Aug. 30 in the Lady Jackets’ home opener.

“We built a tough schedule outside of the district,” Berta said.

On Sept. 11 Williamsburg will face Lynn Camp in the opening round of the 13th Region All “A” Classic.

“A couple of years ago, we made a run to the championship and then went to the semi-finals, so we are definitely looking forward to the All ‘A”,” Berta said.

On Oct. 9, the Lady Jackets will open the Eastern Kentucky Tournament of Champions against Rowan County.

“We are going to see teams from the 14th, 15th and 16th regions in that tournament,” Berta noted. “Plenty of teams that we can gauge ourselves on.”

Berta said the key for Williamsburg will be to not look beyond any practice or opponent.

“We have to take care of ourselves,” Berta said.