Whiteoak volleyball welcomes first year varsity coach Katie Pollard for the 2015 season. Pollard was at Whiteoak five years ago as a junior varsity coach and she is excited to be back.
“I am very excited to be back in the game of volleyball at Whiteoak,” said coach Pollard. “I have a big love for this sport and for the school. This year my plan was to come in and get the girls moving. I’ve moved them from running a 4-2 to a 5-1 formation and the girls have responded well to it. We are a hitting team from the front row or the back. It just makes it a much more exciting game.”
The varsity team will have a total of eight full-time players and four reserve girls who will dress. They have four seniors returning to the team in Morgan Knoblauch, Hayley Nace, Kayla Smallwood and Emma Wardlow. Two of these girls, Knoblauch and Wardlow will be captains for the team.
“Emma Wardlow, a senior, is a huge asset to the team,” Pollard said. “Her skills and attitude are amazing for a student athlete. Her work ethic and dedication make her someone to look up to. She can dig, hit, and serve. She has an awesome ability to spot serve and it is so fun to watch her ‘play’ the opponent when she serves.
“Morgan Knoblauch, a senior, is an all-around amazing kid. She plays hard and works hard. Her serves and back row passing are key to our team’s success. Not only is she a great player, but she is a leader on the court. She keeps the girls spirits up and is a great team player.
“Another key player will be Kayla Risner, a junior. She has been put into my only setting position. Running a 5-1 means running with one setter and five attackers. So she has a big job to do and she is filling that position just like I’ve asked her to do. She can set with the best of them and has tremendous work ethic.”
Coach Pollard also has a positive outlook on the season and says her Lady ‘Cats are ready to show the Southern Hills Athletic Conference what they have for 2015.
“I have a positive outlook on the season this year,” Pollard said. “I know my girls can hit and make things happen. As far as the league goes, I believe that we will be very competitive with all teams. Right now our goal is to win the league and I believe that is completely within reach.”
Reach Robert Stegbauer at 937-393-3456 ext. 1679 or on Twitter @RStegbauer.
