By Staff
Justin Schuver, Hartselle Enquirer
Priceville volleyball welcomes its third coach in the last three years as Jennifer Knowlton begins her first season as coach of the Lady Bulldogs.
Knowlton played at Hatton High School, but has yet to coach volleyball at the high school level. She said having five seniors on this year's team has been a big help for her as a young coach still learning the ropes.
"It's been helpful; they're all good leaders and they know what to do and are helping to keep the team in order," she said. "I've gone to watch a lot of other teams practice, especially Tina Lawrence at Austin and Megean Berryman at Hatton. They've both been really helpful in helping me out and learn how to run a practice and a team."
Those five seniors are Adrianna Delatorre, Sumer Boyd, Jessica Hopper, Britney Bracken and Megean Lancaster. The rest of the team is juniors Hillary Owens and Chelsea Garner, sophomore Sarah Lancaster and freshman Jordan Crow.
Knowlton said that her coaching philosophy for this season is for the girls to "have fun."
"That's important to me; sports need to be fun," she said. "Obviously I would like for us to win, but the main thing is that these girls enjoy it."
Although Knowlton has only been coach for a few weeks, she is already impressed by the returning talent Priceville has this season.
"My strongest hitter right now is Adrianna Delatorre," she said. "She's going to be one of our key players. Sumer Boyd's another strong hitter, and Jessica Hopper and Jordan Crow have both impressed me with their hitting ability as well.
"I think this team has the skills to be successful. If we can manage to unite as a team, then I think we'll do well."
Priceville's regular season schedule includes tournaments at Austin, West Morgan and Holly Pond, in addition to the county tournament in October. Priceville will be in Area 14 with East Lawrence, Fairview and defending champion Lawrence County.
The non-area schedule includes match-ups against local powers Danville, Hartselle and Austin.
"I would like for the girls to maybe have a chance to win the area and then go a little beyond that," Knowlton said. "I feel they have the talent and ability to do it."