Cleveland's Emma Flowers has been a major factor in helping the Lady Raiders win the District 5-AAA volleyball regular-season title this year.CLEVELAND, Tenn. - Thanks to Cleveland's Lady Raiders, Ooltewah's Lady Owls have been knocked off their perch.
For the first time in several seasons, Ooltewah isn't the top-seeded team for the District 5-AAA high school volleyball tournament, which this year is at Walker Valley. That distinction belongs to Cleveland.
District tournaments are being held this week throughout the state. Finalists move on to region tournaments next week.
Cleveland, 11-1 against league competition and 28-9 overall going into the Middle Tennessee Classic over the weekend at various schools in the Murfreesboro area, got off to a positive start this season. That included a momentum-building victory Aug. 25 at Walker Valley, which ended up being the third-seeded team in the district tournament behind No. 2 Ooltewah.
Lady Raiders senior libero Lauren Lee said there's been a noticeable difference with this team compared to others in her career.
"I feel like we have a lot more grit and a will to win," Lee said. "We started off strong, and that's really carried over. We've all just wanted it this year."
Their first encounter with the Lady Owls came on the road Sept. 6, and the Lady Raiders won 3-0. Ditto when they hosted Ooltewah last Tuesday.
"We jumped on them early and didn't let them breathe," Lee said of both matches. "I would say we played really solid."
But in between the Ooltewah victories was the other match against Walker Valley. The Lady Mustangs traveled to Cleveland and won 3-2 on Sept. 15.
"The loss to Walker Valley I guess you could say was a necessary evil," Cleveland coach Trish Flowers said. "It came at a time when we needed it mentally. Since then, it's shifted to what it is now."
What it is now is a refocused group eager to prove it's worthy of being more than just a regular-season district champion.
"We've played really well together as a team," coach's daughter Emma Flowers said. "Our confidence is up."
The junior is one of the Chattanooga area's leading hitters and likely topped the 500-kill mark for the season in the Classic. She said between last year and this one she's worked on placement of her shots, as well as her touch, and has seen the growth in her game.
"I've tried to learn when to pound, when to push or when to tip," Emma Flowers said. "I feel like I've worked on being smarter."
The other main statistical leader for Cleveland is sophomore Anna Renshaw, who not only is a key contributor with kills and digs but leads the team in assists and aces.
Lee leads in digs and had totaled 600 before the weekend. But her college commitment is to East Tennessee State University in softball.
Coach Flowers said even so, Lee has been a devoted member of the volleyball team when that season rolls around. Her dedication backed by her results on the court have left the others little choice but to buy in.
"I feel like if you're not willing to be part of a team, then why are you out here?" Emma Flowers said. "You can't win a game by yourself."
As someone who does something else in the offseason, Lee is an exception within the Cleveland program these days. Coach Flowers said she can remember when she had just one player involved in club volleyball. Now she has 20-plus.
Therefore, the Lady Raiders have visions of more district-tournament No. 1 seedings in the foreseeable future.
"We've got more good volleyball to come," Coach Flowers said. "That's what has me excited."