Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Volleyball
Kimball head coach Vicki Mitchell led the new look Longhorns.
Before the start of 2012’s volleyball schedule, senior hitter Emily Poss promised that Kimball would be hard to beat come the regular season.
After the first triangular, her words seemed prophetic.
The Longhorns topped Garden County and the Bulldogs—again—to take their record on the young season to 3-0. They faced Bridgeport in the nightcap, taking control 25-19 in the first before battling to a 25-20 win in the second. But the third set against Garden County put Kimball’s newfound confidence on full display.
A relentless Eagles service run by Jenna Alworth left the Longhorns momentarily flustered. But Kimball regained their composure. Darbi Klinkhammer put together a string of 4 service points, thanks to three consecutive smashes by Amber Kilgore.
“We were pushing,” said Kilgore. “We were not giving up.”
That spirit was instilled--in part--by new Kimball head coach Vicki Mitchell. She built upon the experience of veterans like Regan Hinton, emerging stars Kelly Green, Jessica Hanks and Tabitha Unzicker, along with the spirit of freshman such as Danika Daum and Madison Biesecker to forge an 18-8 record.
Potter-Dix fell to Sutherland in districts, but their 16-12 season reflected a depth of talent.
The big front line of Conner Wolff and Amanda Maas, as well as the always fearsome Kaidee Dickerson fed off of Taylor Juelfs’ assists.
Young Kinley Vowers and Regyn hicks helped anchor the defense.
The Wildcats suffered through a rebuilding year after losing several starters to graduation. However, exchange student Erika Gallese from Italy helped provide stability alongside Dalle Rutledge and Ashlynn Hanan.