Sports > Schools
Volleyball: Breaking playoff drought nearing a reality for Smith
By Justin Thomas, jthomas@starlocalnews.com
The year was 2006 when Newman Smith's volleyball team last qualified for the playoffs.
But with a productive upcoming week, the Lady Trojans could put themselves in the driver's seat to finally break that spell.
This despite Smith (4-5) dropping a pair of matches last week against the top two teams in district in Creekview (8-1) and Highland Park (9-0).
"They were tough losses but those are very tough teams," said Christine Gregory, Smith head coach. "We fought hard and played with a lot of energy, we just didn't do a good enough job of closing out sets."
In the loss Friday against the Lady Mustangs (25-9, 25-17, 26-24), Smith showed improvement throughout but were unable to secure a set.
That was the case against the Lady Scots (25-22, 25-18, 25-12) as well, when the Lady Trojans were unable to nail down a second set in which they led, 15-7.
"We have to do a better job of scoring and taking charge in the match," Gregory said.
"Defensively, we've been doing very well and have a defense that really scrambles and keeps us in points. But offensively, we have to put away more points."
Smith is currently in a tie for fourth with Mesquite Poteet and has already picked up a win against the Lady Pirates. They also close the regular season with a contest against Poteet.
This week, the Lady Trojans hosted Forney Tuesday (results not available as of press time) before traveling to face Terrell at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
"These are big matches and we are optimistic," Gregory said. "We had a very upbeat practice [Monday] and are feeling good. We've been in position to win matches, we just need to finish them and not run out of gas because every point matters."
Smith has had the match against Terrell circled in particular as the Lady Trojans previously dropped the first match between the two squads.
"We've been wanting this one," Gregory said. "We've shown a lot passion in getting ready for this match. Hopefully it will pay off."
In addition to its solid defense, another reason for Smith's success has been a deep bench.
"It's been a total team effort," Gregory said. "We have 18 girls and they are all playing and stepping up when it is their chance. Everyone is doing their job. It's a chess match out there and we have a lot of pieces."
Gregory added Smith has received solid support from the crowd for its home matches and hoped to see the same Tuesday when they held a Fight for Diabetes benefit. The team will also partake in a Walk for Diabetes in November.
Starting setter Whitney Walker has the disease.
But with a productive upcoming week, the Lady Trojans could put themselves in the driver's seat to finally break that spell.
This despite Smith (4-5) dropping a pair of matches last week against the top two teams in district in Creekview (8-1) and Highland Park (9-0).
"They were tough losses but those are very tough teams," said Christine Gregory, Smith head coach. "We fought hard and played with a lot of energy, we just didn't do a good enough job of closing out sets."
In the loss Friday against the Lady Mustangs (25-9, 25-17, 26-24), Smith showed improvement throughout but were unable to secure a set.
That was the case against the Lady Scots (25-22, 25-18, 25-12) as well, when the Lady Trojans were unable to nail down a second set in which they led, 15-7.
"We have to do a better job of scoring and taking charge in the match," Gregory said.
"Defensively, we've been doing very well and have a defense that really scrambles and keeps us in points. But offensively, we have to put away more points."
Smith is currently in a tie for fourth with Mesquite Poteet and has already picked up a win against the Lady Pirates. They also close the regular season with a contest against Poteet.
This week, the Lady Trojans hosted Forney Tuesday (results not available as of press time) before traveling to face Terrell at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
"These are big matches and we are optimistic," Gregory said. "We had a very upbeat practice [Monday] and are feeling good. We've been in position to win matches, we just need to finish them and not run out of gas because every point matters."
Smith has had the match against Terrell circled in particular as the Lady Trojans previously dropped the first match between the two squads.
"We've been wanting this one," Gregory said. "We've shown a lot passion in getting ready for this match. Hopefully it will pay off."
In addition to its solid defense, another reason for Smith's success has been a deep bench.
"It's been a total team effort," Gregory said. "We have 18 girls and they are all playing and stepping up when it is their chance. Everyone is doing their job. It's a chess match out there and we have a lot of pieces."
Gregory added Smith has received solid support from the crowd for its home matches and hoped to see the same Tuesday when they held a Fight for Diabetes benefit. The team will also partake in a Walk for Diabetes in November.
Starting setter Whitney Walker has the disease.
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