Over the past few seasons, the Todd County Central Lady Rebels have become one of the consistent teams in the 4th Region and have built a program that is working to maintain that level of excellence. With the loss of several key pieces from the 2022 team, some new faces will need to come in and step up right away for the Lady Rebels to keep their place in the order of things for 2023.
When you look at slots to fill in the lineup for Todd County Central, the biggest challenges will be replacing Lucy Chester, Lanie Bivins, Emily Oden, and Addileigh Wofford. Those four were big pieces in elevating the Todd County volleyball program to its current status and filling their places in the lineup will be no small task for Coach Steve Lyne, who is one of the top volleyball coaches in Western Kentucky.
Chester was tops on the team in kills and third in service aces. Bivins was second in kills, second in blocks, second in assists, and number one on the team in service aces. Wofford finished the year fourth in kills, number one in assists, and second in service aces. Oden provided the Lady Rebels with a consistent role player in 2022.
But, while those are significant losses, there are some big returning pieces and some very talented newcomers as well.
Start with senior Lynnlee Jones. Jones was third on the team in kills last season and led the team in blocks. Look for her role to increase in 2023, both in numbers and in the leadership of the team.
Chloe Willis was one of six Lady Rebels to play in every match last season. Willis finished the season with 42 kills, 11 blocks, 16 assists, and 39 service aces in 2022, and you can expect to see those numbers jump in a big way over the course of this season.
Callie Chapman played in 17 matches last season, but Coach Lyne is pointing to her as one of the players that can help replace the departed seniors. Also, keep your eye on Allyssa Wofford. Wofford should get the chance to help fill the position vacated by her older sister’s graduation. Allyssa had 28 digs and 12 service aces in 23 matches in 2022.
New faces to watch for this season will be Aubri Penick and Arianna Hudson.
Coach Lyne says he is looking for this team to be scrappy to help overcome its inexperience. He notes this group is a coachable bunch, which may help them work their way through some early season bumps in the road as a result of their youth.
As for the schedule, the Lady Rebels will quickly defend their 4th Region All A Classic title, as they play in the regional Saturday at Metcalfe County. Otherwise, the schedule includes matchups against Logan County, Heritage Christian, Apollo, Owensboro Catholic, Whitesville Trinity, University Heights, Graves County, and Caldwell County.
The Lady Rebels officially open the season Tuesday night in a road district contest against Franklin-Simpson.
