Local prep volleyball looks strong with several teams in our area well positioned to start the year.
One of those teams is Vandebilt – a hungry group that is eager to showcase the hard work that they put in over the summer in hopes of it paying off in the form of a deep playoff run.
The Terriers are excited about their 2024 volleyball season with several key returnees and talented pieces who have high hopes to make it again to the Cajundome with hopes of bringing home the State Title.
Coach Latashia Wise-Jackson said she’s so pleased of the hard work and dedication of this team – a commitment that started this summer during workouts and is now paying off in the young season.
Vandebilt is 6-1 to start the season – fresh off a tournament title in Assumption last weekend.
“These girls have been working really hard since June in the weight room,” Wise-Jackson said. “I’m just overjoyed for them to have shown their success so far. I’m very proud of them.”
For Vandebilt, the strong start to the season is a byproduct of the team’s hard work, but also immense talent. The Terriers have a loaded roster with several big names who roam the floor and make plays.
Wise-Jackson said the Terriers are led by McNeese commitment Neal Grace Berry – one of the most dominant hitters in the state. But she is also complimented by First-Team All-District returnees Shay Sanders, middle blocker Kinley Seebode, libero Emmy Rau and defensive specialist Ava Rau.
Wise-Jackson said the Terriers are an attacking offense that likes to put pressure on opposing defenses with their big hitters.
“Our strength comes when we have the ability to start with great serve receive,” she said. “When we can serve receive well, our options on offense really open up.”
But one thing the Terriers are working hard on is starting off stronger. Vandebilt has rolled this season, but Wise-Jackson said she has not been 100% satisfied with her team’s energy – especially early in sets. That’s something the team is working hard to improve on.
“We have struggled to get a good start,” she said. “Against Dominican (the team’s only loss of the season) and in the tourney, we started off kind of slow in the first set overall.”
But the Terriers also know that because of their talent, they’re on the short list of teams who can win it all in Division III.
The Terriers made the Quarterfinals and came up short against Parkview. This year, they have high hopes to get to that spot and beyond with hopes of making it even farther.
Wise-Jackson said she is stressing to her team that they’re plenty talented enough to win big, but also to focus on taking things one day at a time – one match at a time, one set at a time and even one point at a time.
“We just want to try to be as consistent as possible and play competitive in every match,” she said.