New expectations spark Lady Jags volleyball

Coming off of a 2-26 2018 season, the Lady Jags look to improve under second-year head coach Mrs. Jessica Colquitt. Although three key players graduated, seniors Louren Patterson, Sakia Anderson, and Ta’Jayua Phillips are all stepping into new leadership roles hoping to improve this year’s team. 

Now in her second season, Coach Colquitt feels optimistic about what the team can do. The strategies she’s implementing in her second year are helping the team play significantly better against good opponents.

“We actually use our starting six on the court and use boxes that the coaches stand on, and try different scenarios that they you might see in a game, that way you can make faster game decisions. I think being able to realize quarter awareness is something I preach to the girls all the time,” Colquitt said.   

Before the season, projected coach Dr. Melissa Pérez was hired as an assistant principal at Clarke Middle School. The last minute change back to Colquitt left the time less prepared, but players are bonding around the development.

“I felt as if Dr. Perez leaving made us start out rocky. It actually caused us to be unconditioned for the season, but Coach Colquitt pushes us to do our best,” said outside hitter Chloe Howard, junior.    

Although this  change shook up the team, the players and Colquitt are glad the way things played out. While only  1-6, the team has shown growth.

The Lady Jags fell short in the first three games of the season losing out to Prince Avenue, Hart and Madison County. Before getting their first win, beating Putnam County 3-0 with Louren Patterson leading the team earning four digs and two serving aces. 
“We won two games last year. Anything better than that, I’d say, is a win for us,” Colqiutt said.