Suns volleyball team optimistic about return to Redbird Arena
Despite three losses this season, there’s no shortage of optimism about returning to Redbird Arena for another attempt at a state 1A championship in volleyball. At least, that is the word coming from Lady Suns Coach Tim Kerr.
“It really is a tribute to our program that everyone talks about how ‘down’ our year has been,” Kerr said. “Granted, we were 18-0 last year with two tournament championships. But last year was a special year, school record breaking.”
“We certainly lost two very important pieces to that puzzle to graduation. One of them is now suiting up for Division I Western Illinois University and the other one probably knew the game better than her coach and demonstrated leadership beyond her years.”
“So we are sitting at 15-3 right now and ranked 10th in the state in 1A, with our three losses to still undefeated Springfield Lutheran who is ranked No. 3 in the state and twice to Mendon Unity, one of them without our starting setter.”
“We are still a relatively young team in that we are starting a 9th grader, two 10th graders, along with a junior and two seniors,” Kerr continued. “We have another month or so to really fine tune things and get better. These young kids need to start playing more like veterans as we progress through the season.”
With Abigail Shaffer missing five matches due to concussion protocol, Kerr was required to make some adjustments. One of them was a shifting of the role for power hitter Amanda Stephens.
“Yes, we have used Amanda as a setter for a couple rotations this year. It’s a little bit unusual to have such a power hitter also be such an accomplished setter. When Amanda sets, that also allows Abigail to play more defense for us, where she also excels.”
Kerr looked on to the post-season with optimism. “I never have been one to predict much in terms of post-season advancement. But if we are able to start playing a little better and really accelerate into the post season, I do think that a regional is doable and I think that we can challenge for a sectional title. Who knows after that, although I do not believe that we are one of the top two or three teams in the state like we were last year. Hopefully things will come together and we will be by the end of the season.”
“Abigail (Shaffer) is finally getting back to her normal self. She feels good physically and has resumed the task of making our offense and defense run more smoothly and ready for the end of the season.”
“As for the post season ‘path’ this year, things are actually looking less formidable than last year,” Kerr added. “Last year, we had to beat three teams in the top eight in the state to reach Redbird Arena. This year, it seems as if the road to Bloomington is a little less bumpy.”
“That being said, it always takes some dumb luck and a lot of things coming together at the right time to make it.”
This article originally appeared on The McDonough County Voice: Southeastern Suns volleyball optimistic about return to state tourney
