Kyle Parmley
Spain Park Volleyball
Senior Karlee Moss is a blocker for the Jags, and coach Kellye Bowen will lean on her experience in the middle.
Spain Park volleyball is trending in the right direction. From a 9-24 record in 2014 to a 22-23 mark in 2015, this season promises to be the best yet for Kellye Bowen and her Lady Jags in her third year at the helm.
“Last year’s team, we were very competitive, much more than the year before. Now, people are starting to notice that we’re not just a doormat, and that we’re competitive. We’re in every game,” she said.
The Jags’ season ended last year at the hands of Vestavia Hills in the fifth set at the area tournament. That result has left them hungry, Bowen said.
Spain Park will still call Class 7A, Area 6 home, but welcome in a pair of new faces. Mountain Brook remains, while Oak Mountain and Huffman join the fray. The Spartans and Eagles will likely be strong, making the area tournament all the tougher, as only the top two teams advance.
If the Jags are to be one of those two teams, they will have to improve upon executing at the same level from beginning to end. They are so intent on it, their practice shirts read: ‘Finish.’
Bowen said she senses some urgency among her group of girls, most notably the eight seniors. That, combined with the results from last year, allows optimism for 2016.
“They made a drastic improvement with the same strong schedule,” she said.
Spain Park should have no shortage of leaders, from senior setter Ellie Norton to middle blocker Karlee Moss. On the outside, there is Marlee Johnson and Sha’Kevia Hogan. In the middle, Maddie Dease. Ali Close’s name also was mentioned as being a great leader.
Don’t discount the actual on-court talent, either, Bowen said..
“This year will probably be the best team I’ve had, ability-wise,” she said. “It should be very good for them, especially since we were in some competitive tournaments and some hard games [last year].”
