Caldwell County got its district championship back last season. This season the Lady Tigers would like to get back into the mix for the regional title as well.
Caldwell had won 14 straight district volleyball championships before Madisonville-North Hopkins took the title in 2021 and 2022.
The Lady Tigers look to be the 7th District favorite again this season — and could challenge the top teams in the 2nd Region.
“Right now, I’d say the top three teams in the region are Crittenden County, Christian County and us,” said Caldwell head coach Daniel Cortner. “And I think Heritage Christian will be right there too. They would be my darkhorse this season.”
The Lady Tiger program is no stranger to the 2nd Region championship, winning titles in 2003, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2020. Overall, Caldwell has appeared in the region championship game 10 times.
With seemingly no dominant teams in the region this year, several schools could emerge as contenders.
Cortner said Hopkins County Central should be the biggest challenger for Caldwell in the district.
“They took us to five sets in the finals last year. They’re still going to be pretty good. I don’t know that they graduated much last year.”
Here’s a look at the teams in the 7th District:
Caldwell County
Caldwell doesn’t figure to have one big hitter like it has at times in the past, but the Lady Tigers think they will have a balanced squad.
“I like our depth,” said Cortner. “This is the first time in four or five years where we have multiple pieces that we can lean on and trust. It’s the biggest senior class since probably 2017 or 2018. To have that much varsity experience back is a blessing.”
Senior Brylee Butts led the team with 175 kills and 31 blocks last season.
“We’re going to move Brylee to outside hitter and try to get her some more swings this year,” said Cortner. “She’ll be hitting outside with Rylee Thompson.”
Thompson, another senior, was second in kills in 2023 with 148.
Senior Benashka Thomas recorded 127 kills and 29 blocks a year ago.
“Benashka is back in the middle,” said Cortner. “She carried us in the district and regional tournaments last season. She’s going to see a lot bigger role this season just based on how she finished last season.”
The other middle could be junior Chevy McGowan or sophomore Medeline Thomas.
“Chevy is super athletic and plays bigger than her height. She’s got speed and agility,” said Cortner.
“Med would give us a Thomas platoon in the middle. Med is not going to set much varsity this season because she’s too valuable as a hitter.
“Two bright spots at the Bluegrass State Games were seniors Anna Giltz and Morgan Aikins. They’ve both improved. They passed exceptional in serve receive at Bluegrass Games.”
Junior Kylee White is back at setter after recording 553 assists last year.
“She did the bulk of our setting last year,” said Cortner. “We see eye to eye on set selection when running our offense.”
Junior Mycah Riddle will play the libero.
“She’s pretty quick, and she’s got that libero mindset,” said Cortner. “She wants someone to hit it at her.”
Sophomores Maddie Cooper and KaMyiah “Tink” Clark “add a lot of depth at passer,” said Cortner.
“Our talk this season is to serve a lot more aggressively and really just rely on our natural defense to keep us in points until the hitters can find kills.”
The Lady Tigers will begin the regular season Tuesday, Aug. 20, with a trip to Union County.
Hopkins County Central
Hopkins Central will look to build on last year’s 9-17 showing that included a four-match winning streak late in the season. Two of those wins came over rival Madisonville-North Hopkins — including the district tournament semifinals.
The Lady Storm could be poised to take a major step forward this year.
“My goals for this team is to take it one game at a time and to play for each other,” said Hopkins Central coach Greg Wagoner. “They need to motivate and encourage and trust each other this year. If they do that, there is no telling how far they will go this year. This team this year is one of the most athletic all around teams that I have coached in years.”
Senior setter Izzy Hight returns for the Lady Storm along with junior outside hitter Mallory Wagoner and junior middle Aalycia Stringer. Also back are sophomore back row Emma Hight and junior middle Calajia Mason.
Wagoner spearheaded the offensive attack last season with 246 kills while Stringer had 146 kills and a team-high 24 blocks. Mason had 48 kills and 22 blocks. Izzy Hight recorded 495 assists.
“Newcomers this season who will make a big impact are sophomore outside hitter Izzy Gunn, junior backup setter Emma Frazier and junior back row Chloe Brasher,” said the Lady Storm coach.
“This will be an exciting season to come out and watch Central Volleyball and these girls have the talent to compete with anyone in the region,” Greg Wagoner noted. “This is going to be a fun year to watch these girls and other teams play volleyball.
“I encourage all fans to come out and support these young ladies on every team because they deserve it. All the preparation and practice they put into this sport is so awesome.”
Hopkins Central begins the new campaign Monday, Aug. 19, at Union County.
Madisonville-North Hopkins
New head coach Amanda Cole is getting up to speed with the Lady Maroons after being brought in as head coach just a few weeks ago.
“I have been an assistant coach off and on for 10 years but with our head coach stepping down recently they needed someone to step up and take it over.
“I am looking forward to helping this group of girls this season. And I am very thankful for my assistant coaching staff, Jamea Combs and Cindy Fliehman. We all work very well together and balance each out to make the most of coaching these girls.”
Madisonville-North Hopkins went 11-21 last season, but will try to get back in the district mix this season after watching Caldwell and Hopkins Central advance to the regional last year.
“We have several returning players this season with a lot of talent,” said Cole. “Some out of our top returning players are seniors Kenzie Stoltz and Kiera Williams as well as junior Leah Moody. Some newcomers to look out for as they continue to develop are eighth graders Sadie Kirk and Carlee Sandidge.”
Moody led the team last year in kills (124) and service aces (75) and was second in assists with 65.
Williams had 305 assists to lead the Lady Maroons while also adding 46 kills and 16 blocks.
Stoltz had 82 kills and a team-high 18 blocks.
“Our goal as a coaching staff is to help encourage a positive mindset, resilience, and sportsmanship, both in victory and defeat within our program,” said Cole. “We aim to enhance individual skills and team performance and communication. We strive to prioritize fundamental skills and help each player improve and gain confidence in their ability to play the game. We want to encourage personal growth both on and off the court and leadership skills with these girls.
“We have several new players this season along with younger girls that have never played. We do our best to incorporate physical conditioning, including strength training, agility drills, and endurance exercises, to improve overall athletic performance and reduce injury risk. Overall, we are just looking forward to helping them all enjoy this season and make the most of it all.”
The Lady Maroons open the season at home on Monday, Aug. 19, against Webster County.
