SAN ANGELO, TX — The Central Lady Cats Volleyball team held its first scrimmage on Friday at Central High School. Seven schools from around West Texas gathered in Central’s gymnasium to take part in several practice matches on a rolling clock. The Lady Cats faced off with three different opponents throughout the morning on a day when the ladies took a positive step towards improvement ahead of the 2023 season.
Central finished 3-7 in district play a season ago. A 5th place district finish pushed the Lady Cats out of the running for a playoff spot, but Head Coach Julie Williams thinks that these ladies have improved from last season. Most notably, she was satisfied with how the Lady Cats performed in the scrimmage on Friday.
“I thought the girls did really good today. We saw a lot of good things,” Williams said after the practice matches concluded. “There are definitely some things we still need to work on, but it’s early, and that’s what these scrimmages are for. Overall, I was really pleased with their effort. Their attitudes are great, and their willingness to be coached is just awesome so far.” Watch the full interview below:
Both the Varsity and Junior Varsity volleyball teams played practice matches during the scrimmage. Central’s Varsity squared off against Big Spring, Abilene Wylie, and Clyde, while Central’s JV faced off against Wall, Sterling City, Abilene Wylie, and Clyde. All the Lady Cats used these matches to improve, and at the end of the scrimmage, Head Coach Julie Williams spoke about one of the ladies who will step up as leaders on Varsity.
“Emilee [Sikora], an outside hitter for us and a 3-year varsity player. I expect her to have a big season. She will play all the way around six rotations,” Williams said.
Central Lady Cats Volleyball 2023
(San Angelo LIVE! Photo/Ryan Chadwick)
Central Lady Cats Volleyball 2023
(San Angelo LIVE! Photo/Ryan Chadwick)
Central Lady Cats Volleyball 2023
(San Angelo LIVE! Photo/Ryan Chadwick)
Central Lady Cats Volleyball 2023
(San Angelo LIVE! Photo/Ryan Chadwick)
Central Lady Cats Volleyball 2023
(San Angelo LIVE! Photo/Ryan Chadwick)
Central Lady Cats Volleyball 2023
(San Angelo LIVE! Photo/Ryan Chadwick)
Central Lady Cats Volleyball 2023
(San Angelo LIVE! Photo/Ryan Chadwick)
Central Lady Cats Volleyball 2023
(San Angelo LIVE! Photo/Ryan Chadwick)
Central Lady Cats Volleyball 2023
(San Angelo LIVE! Photo/Ryan Chadwick)
Central Lady Cats Volleyball 2023
(San Angelo LIVE! Photo/Ryan Chadwick)
Sikora, for her part, is excited that volleyball is back and about to begin. “So far, all of our scrimmages have gone great,” Sikora said. “We have a lot of room to improve, but I think we can do it.”
Improvement is hard to come by, but when these scrimmages require teams to play multiple opponents for over three hours straight, it's definitely possible. “I think we are all enjoying it, Emilee continued. “It’s giving us a bunch of different situations that will prepare us for district. We have a lot of good competition here so far, and I think it will help our skill level and our overall play.”
Central opens up its 2023 campaign next week against the Monahans Lady Loboes and Abilene High Lady Eagles on August 7 in San Angelo. Time is still to be determined.
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