Lady Raiders return to court, open pre-season practice
By: Steve LeMaster
File Photo
STEARNS – The McCreary Central volleyball team opened preseason practice on Wednesday. The Raiders are under the direction of head coach Wade Davis.
Multiple veteran players as well as several newcomers are preparing to contribute for the McCreary Central volleyball squad during the upcoming campaign.
“We played some games in June but all of the players have to try out again,” Davis confided. “We graduated four players and one of them made Second Team All-Region. So, we have some shoes that need to be filled but we have a lot of girls in the program and good contributors that can step up and fill those spots.”
McCreary Central finished the 2016 season 11-24. The Raiders lost to Wayne County in the opening round of the 48th District Volleyball Tournament. Wayne County blanked the Raiders 3-0 in the 48th District Volleyball Tournament, prevailing 25-18, 25-16, 25-22.
McCreary Central competes in the 12th Region, which also features Wayne County, Southwestern, West Jessamine, Pulaski County, Boyle County, Lincoln County, Casey County, Rockcastle County, Mercer County, Somerset, Garrard County, Danville, Burgin, East Jessamine and Kentucky School for the Deaf.
West Jessamine is the reigning 12th Region champion. The Colts topped Pulaski County 3-1 (25-20, 22-25, 25-16, 25-12) in the 2016 12th Region title match on their home floor.
McCreary Central is slated to visit Jellico (Tenn.) for a season opener on August 14. Then, following matches on the road at Clinton County and Bell County, the Raiders will host the McCreary Central Invitational. The McCreary County Invitational is slated for August 19 and includes a McCreary Central-Estill County match.
McCreary Central’s 2017 schedule features additional matches versus Lynn Camp, Southwestern, Cumberland County, Russell County, East Jessamine, Lincoln County, Wayne County, Jellico, Bell County, Clinton County, Wayne County and Russell County, Barbourville.
The Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association (KVCA) will release its preseason region polls in early-October.
McCreary Central will look to return to the 12th Region Volleyball Tournament in less than three months. After battling through the regular-season, the Raiders will take the floor for the 2017 48th District Volleyball Tournament in early-October.
