FALL PREVIEW: Park Hill South Volleyball

Park Hill South volleyball is known for its high expectations and with seven returning letter winners from a 31-5 team that won conference and district titles last season, 2012 will be no different. It is part of a culture developed by head coach Debbie Fay that’s resulted in more than 750 victories over the course of her career and will once again force other teams to put a target on the Panthers.

“These are kids that have played varsity for quite a few years. I can’t say we’re the underdogs or we’re young and starting over,” Fay said. “They have some expectations on them and they need to step in and up-hold that.”

Seniors Tori Kerr, Lindsey Yager, and Skylar German will lead the Panthers along with junior Ashton Anderson who will take charge and run the offense. Other starters coming back with experience include juniors Claire Friedliun and Maddie Palmer as well as sophomore Sami Nay. On any given night, each is capable of being an impact player, something which will make this squad a tough one to matchup against.

“I have a great group of kids that can bond together, the chemistry is good,” Fay said. “If they stay healthy, I think we’re going to have a good time. They are really hard workers, probably one of the hardest working groups I’ve ever had.”

While the Panthers return experience and talent, their one weakness is in their lack of size, so it will be key to use their balance on the court and quickness to control and move the ball efficiently. Fay says the thing which will bring it all together is the team’s quality chemistry.

Park Hill South welcomes Lee’s Summit West and Park Hill into their conference this season, which present unique challenges, but before conference play gets started, the Panthers will travel to Orlando to play in a national tournament over Labor Day Weekend which will be a unique experience for all.

“I’ve never taken a team that far before,” Fay said. “They’ve been a good, hard working group so I figured ‘let’s do something fun for a special group of kids’.”