The Blanco volleyball returns five starters from its district runner-up finish a season ago as it navigates a differently-scheduled season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Lady Panthers aren’t allowed to play in their normal pre-district tournaments, but will play more matches than normally allowed. Blanco has posted a 4-5 record through Saturday.
“I’m really very excited about my pre-season schedule. It will be tough and should prepare us well for our new district,” said Blanco coach Jane Karnes. “We have had a lot of changes to our district, and I’m excited about the smaller number of teams, most of whom are within an hour of us.”
The newly realigned Class 3A district also includes Austin IDEA Montopolis, Comfort, Ingram Moore, Lago Vista and Llano. District play begins Sept. 22.
Returning starters for the Lady Panthers include outside hitters Presley Young and Emilee LaRue, middle blocker Raylee Faris, right side Carly Romero and setter Olivia Atchley. Young and Atchley were first team all-district selections last year, while LaRue was a second team all-district performer.
“I have a large senior class this year, which I expect to bring leadership and stability to our team,” Karnes said.
One advantage for 2020 is that players mostly established their roles a season ago.
“We had so many players taking new roles last season, and that won’t be the case this year,” she said.
One varsity newcomer Karnes expects to have a big impact is Jaycie Gloor at the libero position.
“That is the biggest change on our team. Jaycie Gloor has been looking really great, and I feel she’s going to step in and make a big impact right away,” she said.
Looking at her team offensively, Karnes expects Atchley’s second year starting at setter to be a big boon in 2020.
“In addition to having so many returning hitters, Olivia will make a huge difference for us offensively this season. It will be her second year running the offense, and she is an excellent leader on the floor,” she said. “We will need to use multiple hitters because we don’t just have one dominant hitter, and I’d like for us to be able to speed up the offense a little more this year.”
Defensively, the head coach expects a tough, hustling effort.
“We’ll have some new faces in the back row, but I’m happy with my playing options and excited to see what they can do for us this season,” she said. “Blanco has always had a good defense with girls who hustle to make plays, and I expect this year to be no different.”
Karnes counts experience among her team’s strengths, and said the Lady Panthers are committed to teamwork and hard work. Areas where improvement is needed include better court awareness and scoring points from blocks.
“To do well this season will take leadership and stability, especially from the seniors,” Karnes said. “We can’t afford to get frustrated or not understand our role on the court and on the team. If we play well together, we should do really well this season.”
As it has for teams across the state, the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly changed Blanco’s preparation for the season.
“COVID has definitely impacted our spring and summer preparation. With us being out of school for so long and not being able to have camps, we just haven’t had the time in the gym that we usually get,” Karnes said. “However, I’ve had a lot of girls at our skill and conditioning days, in part due to their excitement to be back in the gym. This could be the largest turnout in participation I’ve had in volleyball since I’ve been here.
“The new guidelines are going to be a challenge, and we have to be prepared for changes, but I’m just happy that we get to play and have a season. I know the girls have really been looking forward to it, and I’m so thankful the UIL and the governor are supporting our return to play.”
