The Quitman Lady Bulldog volleyball season is underway, and the QHS ladies have already doubled their win total from last season.

After a rugged pre-district slate the Lady Bulldogs will begin their quest for a playoff spot Sept. 22 on the road at Mt. Pleasant Chapel Hill.

Coach Allison Head has veteran presence with four seniors leading the charge. Those seniors include Ashley Davis who missed all of district last season with an injury.

Davis will be joined by Addie Marcee, Callie Hoover and Hannah Holland. Each of the seniors has invaluable experience.

Junior all-district performer Allie Berry has been playing strong so far this season.

Head also welcomes some other talented newcomers to the varsity.

“I have freshmen on the varsity team and they simply have really impressed early,” Head noted. “They bring a lot of potential to this group.”

Freshman Kenzie Hipp impressed the coaches when two-a-days began this summer.

“Over the summer I figured Kenzie would be a great JV player for us and then in two-a-days, she simply blew me out of the water with her play. She is tall and will help us at the net,” Head added. “Looks like we will have two sisters (Kenzie and Callie Hoover) on our varsity. Our setter will be another freshman Kaylin Sapp.”

Seniors Marcee and Davis have been a part of the varsity program since they were freshmen. Berry, a junior, is expected to continue her play at the net. She is effective as an outside hitter and a middle-blocker. 

Head believes a tough pre-district schedule will benefit the Lady Bulldogs as the season progresses.

“You have to play the really good teams if you expect to get better. Our goal will always be to get to the playoffs,” Head said. 

The Quitman ladies schedule includes perennial 2A power Cumby, Class 6A Tyler Legacy and Class 5A Tyler Chapel Hill as well as Class 4A Gilmer. The varsity tournaments include Van (Class 4A) and White Oak.

Head said she is still experimenting with different rotations to see which one will jell and be ready for district play.

“We are trying to find that perfect set up on the court which gives us the best chance to be successful,” Head commented. “As long as we can stay away from injuries and have a positive mentality I believe we are going to be fine. Most of the teams in district lost some good players to graduation so we feel we will have an opportunity to be successful this year with several of them rebuilding programs.”

Head said that Mineola and Mt. Vernon are always good and will be some of the teams they need to beat if the Lady Bulldogs want to move on to post season play.

“Harmony will also be pretty good,” Head stated. “I do think it will be a wide-open race and we hope to be in it!”