That’s the feeling head volleyball coach Heather Richters had as the Lady Gladiators began their pre-season volleyball games. Their first win came Tuesday night against the Dawson Lady Dawgs in the dome. Both JV and Varsity teams played with gusto and strength. IHS Volleyball has started off on a good foot. “Shake, Shake, Shake, Shake Woop!” is the battle cry of the new season.

New volleyball head coach Heather Richters and assistant coach Jennifer Reeves were proud of their Lady Gladiators on Tuesday night as they collared the Dawson Lady Dawgs. “We are unstoppable,” Coach Richters said. The varsity laid down the law winning 3 out of 4 games. Game 1 was a loss at 25-15 but the Ladies came back with a vengeance and won game 2 (25-21), game 3 (25-21) and game 4 (25-23). Coach Richters explained, “The defense won the game. Their great serving was helpful as well.”

A winning combination of strength and quickness from players such as Sierra Harris, Brianna Burkhalter, Anna Viers, Maria Estrada, Bailey Bumpus and Paola Mata gel well with the agressive nature of Brianna Perry, Kaitlyn Rossa, Megan Richards, Nikki Brashear and Alyssa Richards.

Coach Richters declared, “I am super excited about this group of ladies. Their intensity is amazing. They have learned so much since day one of practice.” There are some new faces on Varsity this year, along with some familiar ones. When asked if her teams were set, Richter said, “They are not set, anything could change.”

LADY GLADIATOR VARSITY
1 Sierra Harris
3 Kaitlyn Rossa
4 Anna Viers
5 Alyssa Richards
6 Maria Estrada
7 Megan Richards
8 Bailey Bumpus
10 Brianna Perry
11 Paola Mata
13 Brianna Burkhalter
14 Nikki Brashear

Junior Varsity girls won two straight games 25-12, and 25-19. Paige Westbrook accounted for 10 of the JV’s first 12-points in game one from the serving line while an energized Morgan Cockerham defied Dawson’s best shots.

The athleticism of Paola Mata, Kendra Copeland, Taylor Turner, Ryisha Copeland and Bernice Hailey proved too much for Dawson to overcome. Coach Reeves said, “I am so proud of our J.V. They played great and these girls just keep getting better everyday. They are young and their attitude is good. I expect good things out of this group.”

LADY GLADIATOR JV
10 Kendra Copeland
12 Ryisha Copeland
20 Ashley Harper
21 Jesica Wilkins
22 Bernice Hailey
25 Cassi Jeffords
32 Breyanna Beets
30 Paige Westbrook
13 Paola Mata
15 Morgan Cockerham
14 Taylor Turner

The Lady Gladiators continue their saga on Saturday, August 14 in Abbott with a tournament. Let’s go Italy!