Veteran Lady Hawks looking to make the next huge step, reach AAA state tournament
Heading into a new season, any coach would prefer to have plenty of experienced players returning from a 2023 team that was one match victory away from the Class AAA state tourney.
In his first year, Hardin Valley Academy volleyball head coach Eric Boden enjoys that position (the team was 27-12 in 2023).
“We have a veteran team, and we have very strong senior leadership who have already built the foundation,” said the 2016 HVA grad. “We have some new pieces as well that we’ll be bringing.
“It will be a well-rounded team.”
Of Boden’s six likely starters, four are seniors who started in 2023. One is outside hitter Calleigh Ringle (5-foot-11). “Great leader,” Boden said. “Very smart player; has a really good shot selection and is a calming presence.”
Libero Gracy Lasig is “very talented in the back row and a good leader,” the coach said. “She also brings a calming presence.”
Senior middle blocker Bella Buccola is another returner. “Very strong; she’s becoming more offensive,” Boden said of the 6-footer. “We’re gonna need her up front; she’s that kind of physical presence we need there.”
The fourth returning senior is center Lexy Schollaert (5-9).
“She’s in charge of our offense,” Boden said. “She does a great job of mixing the ball around as far as setting all across the court.”
Rounding out Boden’s likely starters will be sophomore outside hitter Avery Slone (5-foot-9) and junior middle blocker Allie Harm (5-foot-11). Slone is new to varsity while Harm is new to the team.
“She does a really good job with her shot selection,” Boden said of Slone. “For her height, she’s a high flier. She’s a true athlete.”
Harm will switch out with Buccola, Boden said. “Lasig will play behind both of them.”
Boden thinks junior defensive specialist Cam Woody (5-foot-6) will get significant playing time. “We think she’ll have a real big impact on the back row,” he said. “She has a really strong serve, has a really high IQ for the game.”
Senior right-side hitter Tori Maldonado, senior setter Reagan Huffaker and senior right-side hitter Keira Thatcher likely will contribute, Boden said.
Also coaching 16- and 17-year-olds at Club Unite, Boden wants his girls to play a fast-tempo pace “because we want to be able to beat the block and leave our attackers one-on-one with blockers.”
In short, “Whoever wins the District (4-3A) should make a deep run in the postseason.”
