Veterans lead Burnet volleyball in first week

CAPTION: Peyton Allen (left), Journey Denton, Sarah Cullison and Wrigley Mulhollan don’t have a problem with meeting the standards of the program that includes contending for the district championship and advancing to the playoffs. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro

The Burnet High School volleyball program embarked on its first competition of the season when the Lady Dawgs boarded a bus bound for Glen Rose Friday, Aug. 9.

It’s the only scrimmage scheduled before the Lady Dawgs welcome Blanco to The Doghouse Tuesday, Aug. 12, for the season opener. The subvarsities play at 5 p.m. with the varsity follows.

But before the players hit the court against opponents, they spent a week preparing. The season’s first practice began at 6:30 a.m. Aug. 1 with plenty of skills work and a little bit of running. That’s because head coach Crystal Shipley was studying each player to determine a varsity roster. She made it no secret she wanted each Lady Dawg to bring her best to the court and challenged them to hold each other accountable. When they didn’t do something considered a pillar of the program, they were sent to baselines.

“We make sure they do the little things,” she said. “Little things make big things happen.”

She emphasized communication and speed step as non-negotiables in the program.

“The best teams are loud,” the coach said. “Speed step (is getting) ready on every touch. Those things were lacking with some groups, so we have a physical reminder.” 

She noted most of the players were in great physical shape to handle the challenges of the first week, adding training camps aren’t designed to be easy.

“By the end of each day, they were feeling it,” Shipley said.

The program’s seniors include Peyton Allen, Grace Cullison, Sarah Cullison, Journey Denton, Wrigley Mulhollan and Payton Smith and are on the varsity. Other varsity members are juniors Ava Alexander, Cali Eason, Peyton McCabe and Brianne Smith, sophomores Lexie Clark and Brooklynn Dawes, and freshmen Marisa Porter, Landry Schubert and Taylor Smith.

Shipley commended her veterans for how they demonstrated drills, helped the others in between drills, and with their overall positivity.

“I have great seniors who are hungry to be great and love to be on the front lines,” she said. 

Overall, the coach indicated the first week went well and the Lady Dawgs are ready to take the court.

“For the most part, I was pleased,” she said. “They responded well to consequences, fixed what they weren’t doing (the things they can control) and stayed positive.” 

CAPTION: Callee Howton sets the ball during drill work Aug. 1. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro