It has often been said that the struggle you’re in today is what develops the strength you’ll need for tomorrow.
For various reasons, Independence and first-year head coach, Kevin Bragg, saw it’s fair share of struggles during the 2020 high school volleyball season
“I learned that we are in a really tough section with some really good coaching. You not only have to have the best players, you have to be good at your craft or you are going to get beat,” Bragg said about year one. “I learned that conditioning is really important and you have to come ready to play every night.”
After bowing out in sectional play last year, Bragg is now hoping the struggles in 2020 will lead to success in 2021.
“I really felt like the sectional loss lit a fire under them that maybe they didn’t have last year,” Bragg said. “I have seven or eight that have played over the winter and they have gotten better. The seniors have been to states two out of three years and they know if they don’t step up, this could be the last volleyball they play.”
Leading the returning group is all-stater Kyra Davis who has been an explosive outside hitter for the Patriots over her first three seasons. Davis is being asked to step into a slightly different role this year.
“Kyra is going to move to the middle this year. She is a little undersized, but she has like a 42-inch vertical (jump),” Bragg said. “She is athletic and a cross-fit guru. So far, she has enjoyed it and is up for the challenge. Her and Bella (Acord) will anchor us in the middle.”
Standing 6-foot-1 and possessing great length, Acord has long been a formidable blocker. The senior middle has now developed into a powerful hitter to compliment her blocking skills.
“Bella started playing her freshman year and she has really worked. She has done private lessons and played club ball over the winter. I am really excited for people to see her,” Bragg said. “She is a lot more aggressive and her hitting has really improved. I really feel she can be a force as long as she believes in herself. She is built like a big-time volleyball player.”
Senior Sarah Bragg, the coach’s daughter, returns as a three-year setter to drive the Indy machine.
“Sarah was reluctant to set at first, but she has done well. She is a really good defensive setter that will sacrifice her body. Most of the time she gets the ball where she thinks it needs to be, but maybe not always where I need it to be,” coach Bragg said, smiling.
Senior Sheyann Morgan will be counted upon to provide more senior leadership and Nicole Jarrell will add depth in the middle and on the right side.
“I am hoping that my veterans will help my rookies along to gel and be the team that I think we can be,” Bragg said. “This team has the chance to be one of the better teams to come out of Independence because we are strong at every position.”
Sophomore Jana Davis is the younger sister of Kyra and will also be a starter this year. Exactly where is still up in the air according to her coach.
“She will either be on the outside or work as a right-side (hitter). Jada can also set for us and she is a phenomenal back-row player,” Bragg explained. “She is kinda that true utility player in the volleyball world.”
Sophomore Skylar Wooten has a varsity year under her belt. Wooten is a player that Bragg says has great technique and has looked much more comfortable passing during practice.
The anchor on the back row for the Patriots will be junior Ella Morgan.
“I think she flies under the radar because she is very quiet, but she has come a long way,” Bragg said. “She is a great passer and will sacrifice her body. I finally convinced her to wear elbow pads this year.”
Lilli Honaker rounds out the back row. Honaker played big for Indy in sectionals and is a player that Bragg admits he may have missed the mark on last year.
Although the Patriots were a strong defensive team a year ago, Indy lacked some power at the net. The Patriots hope to cure some of that with two big-hitting freshmen, Alexis Stack and Aubree Cantrell.
“They will most likely be on the outside and provide some much needed power on the front row. That could change depending on who we are playing and how they are playing,” Bragg said.
Both Region 3 state tournament qualifiers from last year, Shady Spring and Herbert Hoover, return a roster full of talent.
Not only are the Tigers and Huskies in the same region as Independence, they are also in the same section. The Patriots will have to beat at least one of them if they are to make it back to states.
“This is a tough section. Both teams have great coaches. Shady Spring is the (Class AA) defending state champion for a reason,” Bragg said. “This team has to believe in each other and I will really need my seniors to set the tone. However, I think we have a lot of the pieces that we need and they all get along really well.”
Independence hosts Greenbrier West and Wyoming East Thursday in a season opening tri-match in Coal City.
