Blanking defending state champ Cleveland, HVA volleyball starts 6-0
Two years ago, Hardin Valley Academy’s volleyball team made it to the state tournament in Murfreesboro. Last year, because of graduation and injuries, the Lady Hawks didn’t advance beyond the district.
According to HVA’s fifth-year coach Joy Waller, 2023 has the potential for a big turnaround for her girls. At the very least, Waller has plenty of returning experience.
So far, so good for Waller and Company this season, as the Lady Hawks entered the week 6-0 — with one of those wins against defending Division I-AAA state champion Cleveland.
“A lot of injuries last year,” the coach said. “We’re excited to start fresh. We’re doing some different things in practice. I feel like our year looks pretty good, prepping better, being careful about injuries and we’re pushing them harder in practice.”
Five of HVA’s starters this year started in 2022. Outside hitter Tinsley Brown, a senior captain this season, missed much of last year with an injury. Unsurprisingly, she’s eager for her final season.
“I’m really excited,” Brown said. “I think we have a lot of potential to go a long way; we didn’t lose much. We have a lot of talent, and we just have to use it the right way. I’m really excited to see how far we can push ourselves.”
Senior setter Annah Cate Hyatt is the other captain and another starter from last year. Hyatt thinks team cohesion is a strength.
“Our connection on the court,” Hyatt said. “We’re having fun together, just flowing and it makes the volleyball easy.”
Three other starters from 2022 return this year: senior middle hitter Bailey Byrd, senior right-side hitter Addison Sloane, and junior outside hitter Calleigh Ringle.
Others likely to see significant action will be junior setter Lexi Schoellart, junior right-side hitter Vanessa Grant, and junior libero Gracy Lasig.
Waller thinks her team’s serving and hitting precision will be effective this year. “Serving and hitting in the dead spots,” she said. “Every practice we work on serves. We’re trying to make our offense quicker so it’s hard to play against. We most need to work on defense and consistency.”
