With eight returning players, the Cave Spring volleyball team is poised to defend its Group AA volleyball crown when the Knights open their season this fall.
Cave Spring had a successful 2011 campaign, as they captured the River Ridge District regular season volleyball crown, the Region IV and Group AA titles to end the season with a 29-3 mark.
Returning for the Knights are senior Erin Holsinger (OH/MB), senior Alyssa McKinley (OH), junior Olivia Sass (S/RS), senior Sarah Smith (RS/DS), senior Annice Link (DS) senior Kendall Scott (MB), junior Lauren Sigmon (S) and junior Kallie Wilkes (DS).
New to the varsity program are freshmen Piper Roe (MB), Cait Flippin (OH/RS), Alayna Foutz (OH), junior Emily Fulton (OH/RS), along with sophomores Tessa Klimaitis (MB) and Charity Klimaitis (MB).
When asked about the team’s strenghths and weaknesses, head coach Tamalyn Tanis, who is starting her 11th season said, ” Our strengths would be that we are taller than we have been in a very long time. If we can maintain the speed and ball control that we have when we are undersized, then we will have a very exciting season. However, we are young and there will be some growing pains to go along with that.”
Cave Spring sees its top matches as being Western Albermarle, Grafton, and a new tournament for the Knights in Knoxville TN. Cave Spring is also hosting a tournament of champions at the Spectrum Sports Academy in October that will feature the Knights, Hidden Valley, Patrick Henry, Auburn, Kellum (reigning AAA state champion), Western Albermarle, Bath County, and two teams from WV that were in the state tournament last year and are historically contenders for state titles. Also state powers Atlee and Deep Run (AAA) and possible a team from Illinois.Other than that, the Hidden Valley and Patrick Henry matches should be strong locally.
What does the 2012 season look like for the Knights? “If the young players can adapt to the speed of our offense and if we can maintain our ball control while training two new setters, then we will be strong. Fortunately, we have a strong schedule so that we can build throughout the season and hopefully gain confidence before the post season,” Tanis added.