Hornets expect strong season despite several new faces

Heading into her fifth year as head coach of the Chelsea High School volleyball program, Jessica Pickett is glad that she put an emphasis on building a deep program, rather than just a strong varsity team each year.

Otherwise, the prospects of this season — after losing six players to graduation — would be bleak.

“Those young girls are excited to keep up what we’ve been doing and build on it,” Pickett said.

Trips to super regionals have become the norm for the Hornets, and they have been on the cusp of a berth in the state tournament a few times. That success has become part of the fabric of the program now.

Pickett said, “It’s kind of an unspoken of what is expected of our volleyball program here at Chelsea High School. It’s been a building process, but I think the foundation is there and already understood.”

For this year’s team to be successful, seniors Ashley Mock, Madison Seay and Brittany Stanford will be forced to take on the load of the leadership role, after being able to sit back and follow in the shadows of last year’s older group.

“They’ve been in the position to where they haven’t really had to lead yet,” Pickett said. “I had a talk with them about them steeping up to the plate and that it’s kind of their turn.”

Pickett said she anticipates Mock becoming the “quarterback of the team” from the setter position, due to her playing experience and position, as the setter holds a great deal of responsibility in setting up the offense.

Seay got some playing time last year as a defensive specialist, so she should fit seamlessly into a bigger role in that slot. Stanford is an outside hitter. Like the other two seniors, she also has playing experience, but will just be asked to carry more of the load.

Junior Jules Hamer is expected to be one of the Hornets’ top offensive players, as she will be a three-year starter. After playing the last two seasons in the middle, Pickett said she is comfortable moving Hamer to either side of the court as well. 

“She’s expanded her game some and hasn’t played back row for me yet, but she will be playing some back row this year,” Pickett said.

Sara Swee will get time at the setter position after playing as a defensive specialist last year. Sophomore Victoria Schmer is in line to be the Hornets’ libero.

“She doesn’t let a lot of balls hit [the ground] and she has very good court awareness,” Pickett said. 

Morgan McCarthy, Jordan Parker and Hope Wright are others who could challenge for playing time, as well as some beyond them.

No matter who is on the floor, Chelsea’s attack will likely look different than it did last year. Gone is much of the offensive firepower, and that will force the Hornets to be more sound in other aspects of the game.

“Last year, we relied heavily on the block and our offense as far as hitting,” Pickett said. “This year, we’re going to have to rely on the pass, serve, and we’re going to rely heavily on our defense.”

The Hornets may not look like a state championship team when they open the season Aug. 31 at Jeff Davis, but as experience and confidence rises, the team should improve throughout the season.

“I believe that we’re going to progress as the season goes on,” Pickett said. “Just looking at it, I feel like we’ll be where we need to be once area play starts.”