PLYMOUTH — With a wealth of experience returning, you can’t blame Plymouth volleyball coach Derek Eveland for feeling a little excited about the coming season.
Eveland will be able to put six seniors on the floor at any given moment, four of them have been varsity players since their sophomore season, and one is a four-year starter for the Lady Pilgrims. The experience has Eveland feeling optimistic.
“Right now, I think Leah Smith will be our outside hitter on the right side,” said Eveland. “Our depth is really good and that is going to let us keep her outside and she seems to be comfortable on the right side. Kenzie Quissell will be in the middle again where she’s always been, but I really feel good enough about our depth that we might be able to move her outside sometimes. If she goes on to play in college, that would be a good fit for her and it would be nice to let her get some time there for that reason.”
Four-year starter and nearly constant member of the all-NLC squad McKenzie Scheetz solidifies the attack.
“She’s been a starter since she was a freshman and she’s either led us in kills or was second all of those years, and you have to feel she’ll be there again this year,” said Eveland. “She led the team in aces; she’ll play all the way around and she’s either been honorable mention or on the All Conference team every year. You have to feel like she’ll repeat that again too.”
Another veteran Eveland is looking for big things from is Bailey Eveland, who will start at setter.
“We’ve been playing a 5-1, 6-2 arrangement, but I really want to stay with a 5-1 because that gives all our hitters consistency with one setter,” said Eveland. “Bailey is going to let us do that. She’s really spent a lot of time working hard this summer. Her blocking has improved and she’ll play all the way around too. She’s made big strides over the summer and I think people are going to notice right away the work she’s put in.”
“Among our juniors, Kendall Rhodes is a confident setter. I really like the way she passes and digs,” said Eveland. “I think she’ll be our libero this year.
“All our seniors are capable of everything. They can serve and play around; we’ll probably sub a few of them out on the back line, but they are comfortable everywhere and can play everywhere. They’ve got a lot of experience and that confidence and poise I think will make a big difference as we get into all those tough matches in the year.”
And the Plymouth schedule is no stranger to tough matches. Right out of the box, the team faced off opening night in a sectional final rematch with LaPorte, and Penn waits right behind them — two of the best team’s in at least the northern half of the state.
“We don’t shy away from that, it’s what we want,” said Eveland. “Even the smaller schools we play. We invite Muncie Burris and Southwood to play, two of the better teams in the smaller classes. Rochester is always a force; we play Valpo and we’ve added St. Joe and Marian. We aren’t going to shy away from anybody.”
There is a method in the madness of that schedule.
“I like it,” said Eveland. “Obviously with this team and our experience we expect to compete with all those teams and come tournament time you’re ready for that. Even if we have a less experienced group than this year the idea is to compete. Maybe you drop a game or two if you’re still competing that is what’s going to pay dividends.
“We have to get prepared. In our sectional, we’re going to have to go through teams like Mishawaka, LaPorte and Penn. If you want to win, you have to go through them.”
And it isn’t any easier for a Northern Lakes Conference title.
“Concord is very good and the way it’s set up, we have them right away at the beginning of the year,” said Eveland. “It might be a little earlier than I wanted to see them, but you’ve got to get through them to win so we’ll take the challenge.”
In a challenging season, the talent level and experience have the Lady Pilgrims optimistic.
“Twenty wins is always something we’re after,” said Eveland. “We’d like to be there in the conference race and obviously win a sectional, but our girls set a goal of wanting to have fun. With this bunch that might mean something a little different than you think. They want to win. A lot of them want to go on and play at the next level. For them, fun is leaving it all out on the court, win or lose. At the end, you’re smiling and still enjoying it because you know you gave it all. That’s what they’re after and it’s what I’m after too.”
Tuesday, Aug. 15, the Lady Pilgrims volleyball team will open its season at 6 p.m. vs. LaPorte.
