Faith Academy volleyball ready for season opener

CAPTION: Kerrington Silvers (left) gives a high-five to Bosley Kuker after the Lady Flames earned a point against the Marble Falls Lady Mustangs. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro

The Faith Academy of Marble Falls volleyball team performed well in a scrimmage against Marble Falls Aug. 9 where the Lady Flames mixed in some familiar faces with some players taking on starting roles.

One was Olivia Kraenzel, who is the team’s setter.

But what hasn’t changed is the strength of this team – namely senior middle blocker Natalie Weems and sophomore outside hitter Ella Claiborne. Add in senior middle blocker Miley Fessler and senior libero Bosley Kuker, and the Lady Flames showed plenty of depth and confidence in one another to get the job done.

That’s why head coach Erin Sawyer said she saw only “the small things” the Lady Flames must work on.

“We have the talent,” she said. “We just need that camaraderie and communication. That stuff comes with playing together.”

Unlike the Lady Mustangs, who competed in a four-opponent scrimmage a day earlier, the Lady Flames stepped on the floor against an actual opponent for the first time against Marble Falls.

Kraenzel and junior setter and right side hitter Ella Chavira went to Claiborne often and rarely did Claiborne disappoint.

“They trust her to get it over,” the coach said. “She’s the hardest hitter on the court. They want to see that instinctually. I’m glad she’s on the outside.”

The same could be said of Weems, who called for the ball in the middle, and Fessler, who helped form a tough block on the front row.

“Miley played quite a bit. She’s learning the nuances of volleyball and where to go,” Sawyer said. “Natalie had really good block after block. I want to be able to utilize that with the blockers we have. We need to play a little more with each other.”

Needless to say, Sawyer left very encouraged by her team’s performance. She noted the “small tweaks” with the setters, adding the offense was “a little disjointed” at times.

“I was very impressed,” the coach said. “I’m excited for our season. I can see snippets. There were a few misses, but it’s something easily fixed. I thought the back row did amazing as well.”

The Lady Flames welcome Austin Waldorf for the season opener Tuesday, Aug. 12, with the junior varsity playing at 6 p.m. and the varsity to follow.

CAPTION: Ella Claiborne continues to show her prowess at the net with several thunderous kills that ended rallies. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro