Burnet volleyball’s defense paves the for wins
CAPTION: The Lady Dawgs discuss strategy and what coaches are seeing from the players and Copperas Cove. Photos by Kaydence Burditt/Luedecke Photography
The Burnet High School volleyball team continues to tear through its non-district schedule with tremendous success.
The Lady Dawgs (10-3) went 3-1 at the Gatesville Tournament Aug. 21 and 23 thanks to decisive victories against the Lady Hornets 2-0, Cameron Yoe 25-9, 25-14 and Killeen High 25-23, 25-19. The only blemish was to Troy 22-25, 27-25 to end the tournament. Those results came on the heels of stomping Copperas Cove 25-20, 25-17, 25-23 Aug. 19.
To illustrate how good the Lady Dawgs are performing, consider this.
They’ve lost only eight sets in 13 matches.
Head coach Crystal Shipley noted there were changes made to the pre-district schedule “to help ease into the tougher part of our schedule.”
“I did hope this would be the case for sure,” she said.
Days before the start of two-a-days Aug. 1, Shipley had said she believed her team would surprise people. So are these Lady Dawgs surprising her?
“I wouldn’t say they are surprising me,” she said. “I have high expectations of them. I am proud of how they have come back from behind in several sets to win matches. My hope is that we work to minimize errors and not stay in the habit of getting behind.”
While the Lady Dawgs’ offensive power is evident thanks to hitters Grace Cullison, Brooklynn Dawes, Peyton McCabe, Wrigley Mulhollan, Landry Schubert, Brianne Smith and Taylor Smith, the defense has been especially on point in frustrating the opponents’ hitters.
That’s because defensive specialists Peyton Allen, Ava Alexander, Lexie Clark, Sarah Cullison, Journey Denton, Cali Eason and Payton Smith are refusing to give up on any point. They work well with blockers to be in the right spot for digs and are constantly diving to get to balls. That forces hitters to hit precisely to the open hole, if they can find it, or accurately down the line. Opposing setters must also read the defense and use a meticulous dink in the hopes of catching the defense flatfooted and unable to get to the ball.
In short, the Lady Dawgs’ court coverage has been text book. And as teams get closer to their 25th point, Burnet has simply been better.
Much of that can be attributed to veterans who are rarely surprised by what they see, Shipley said.
“Our defense is always so vital to our program,” she said. “Our defense is led by our captains, Payton Smith and Journey Denton. Both have so much experience and their voice is a constant for our team. They do a great job of talking through situations and how to handle those.”
While fans get excited about digs and power kills, Shipley believes the Lady Dawgs will only get better as the season continues.
“We have a great offense and are still working on connections,” she said. “We will continue to add to our playbook as the girls get more comfortable with each other.”
Burnet travels to Florence Tuesday, Aug. 26, with the subvarsities playing at 5 p.m. and the varsity to follow at 6 p.m. The Lady Dawgs will compete in the West Tournament hosted by West High School Thursday-Saturday, Aug. 28-30.
