When Signal Mountain coach Jennifer Redman addressed her players at the first volleyball practice this year, she spoke of the big prize every other TSSAA team wants to win in its classification. Since then, she’s tried to make sure their focus stayed away from that and instead on winning everything – and she means every little thing – it takes to get there.
TSSAA teams can begin play Monday and the Lady Eagles will be among them. They’ll play Ringgold’s Lady Tigers, whose GHSA season got under way last week, at Ringgold at 6 p.m.
From that first practice forward, any Signal Mountain player mentioning the word “state” around Redman might end up getting put through a few extra repetitions up and down the gymnasium steps. Junior and returning all-state outside hitter Callie Hildebrand understands the season’s blueprint.
“It’s a goal,” Hildebrand said of a return trip to the state tournament in Murfreesboro, “but we’re trying not to get too ahead of ourselves. Our motto this season is to focus and work on each point.
“Our first year at state was really a dream. We’re a lot more motivated than last year.”
That can’t be good news for the rest of the Class A teams throughout Tennessee. Last season Signal Mountain won 49 matches – up 29 from the previous year, the program’s first – and finished third in the state tournament.
Junior Allie Jennings will take over the libero role she’d been sharing with Holly Brotton, who transferred to Red Bank. Brotton is the only loss for the Lady Eagles, whose four seniors this season are the program’s first.
Teams to watch1. Signal Mountain: Although one starter from a year ago transferred, the Lady Eagles had no seniors last season and finished third in the Class A state tournament.2. Baylor: The Lady Raiders return three 5-foot-10 or taller front-line players from a 30-13 team. Rebecca Schmitt inherits the setter position from the graduated Leslie Franklin.3. Soddy-Daisy: The Lady Trojans will miss coach’s daughter Andrea Johnson, now playing at UTC, but they’ve got hitters. Seven sophomores will provide depth.Players to watch1. Alex Martin, Ooltewah, senior: The powerful middle hitter was a key reason the Lady Owls won rugged District 5-AAA and Region 3 last season.2. Kalyn Helton, Red Bank, senior: The outside hitter led the area in kills and was instrumental in the Lady Lions’ run to the Class AA state championship.3. Rachel Harper, Boyd-Buchanan, senior: The outside hitter for the Class A champion Lady Bucs would’ve been an equally good choice for MVP of the state final.
“After our season ended, we all made personal goals,” senior setter Georgia Paturalski said. “Everybody played club volleyball, practiced or worked out to try to improve as an individual, so as a team we could be stronger.
“We can’t just expect to go back to state. We know we’re going to have to work really hard. I’m proud of every single person on this team. We all want to get there, but we know we’ve got to get through district, region and sub-state first. I think we’re all willing to put in the effort it takes.”
Paturalski also is expected to get some chances to hit, thanks to the emergence of sophomore setter Paige Scudder. Redman said Scudder and junior defensive specialist Maggie Garth did such a good job on junior varsity last year that they’ve earned promotions.
Seniors Sydni and Andi Abbajay again are expected to play key roles. Sydni led the team in aces last season.
Repeating as District 6 regular-season and tournament champions is important to the Lady Eagles. Getting through Region 3 and a state sectional again is, too.
Given what the Lady Eagles accomplished in 2009, Redman said she expects the Lady Eagles’ opponents this year to be geared up to play them. Maintaining a consistent high level of play will be paramount, particularly defensively.
“You can never be too good on defense,” Redman said.
Signal Mountain’s objective in 2010 appears to be to win the first point Monday, then the second, then the third. If the Lady Eagles win every point all season, they’ll no doubt attain the goal their coach won’t talk about, but at least hinted at one more time.
“We definitely want to get better,” Redman said, “than third in the state.”