Coming Monday: Cherokee County High School volleyball preview

By Shannon Fagan, WEIS Sports Director

CEDAR BLUFF – Cedar Bluff volleyball coach Deidra Cox had an interesting summer. In mid-June, she was helping prepare the next generation of Lady Tiger volleyball players by holding a fundamentals camp at the school for kids in second through sixth grade.

Little did she know that a new addition was coming to the court unannounced.

Cox didn’t realize it at the time, but she began going into labor at the camp. A day later on June 14, young Taytum Cox was born to Deidra and her husband Ryan.

But Cox hasn’t let the birth of her daughter stop her from making sure the Lady Tigers have stayed with their training for the upcoming 2024 season.

“I was still able to make most of our stuff (workouts and play dates),” Cox said. “Taytum has been to the gym a couple of times already. I’m sure she’ll be here a lot, and I’m sure it will be exciting for her. She’s going to grow up in the gym for sure.”

Speaking of growth, Cox says she’s seen that from this year’s Lady Tigers.

“At this time last year, it was still a whole lot of getting know them and them getting to know me,” Cox said. “We return a lot from last year’s team. They’re more comfortable with me and I’m more comfortable with them. We know how to respond to each other a little better, how to get each other more motivated.”

Motivation shouldn’t be hard to come by. Cedar Bluff moves up to Class 2A in Area 13 along with state champion Pleasant Valley and state runner-up Sand Rock. Gaston is also in the four-team area.

“That’s one thing since those classifications came out that we’ve talked about. We can’t just show up every day going through the motions. We’ve got to show up and put in the work every day if we want to be at that level, compete at that level and win those types of games,” Cox said.

Cox said her girls have taken the move up to heart.

“This summer I saw multiple times where the girls would throw extra weight on the rack. They’d do more reps. They’d get up early and double their conditioning, anything just to get extra work in. I have been very impressed with some of them for sure.”

Two of Cedar Bluff’s key returners are junior setter Rylie Walker and junior outside hitter Kindal Grace. Walker posted 429 assists, 64 kills, 44 aces and 39 digs. Grace contributed 232 kills, 37 digs, 31 aces and 19 blocks for the Lady Tigers last season.

“We’re expecting a lot out of both of them this year. They’ve really stepped up over the summer,” Cox said. “So far at practice they’ve really gone out of their way to reach out to some of the younger ones.”

Pairing with Grace at the outside hitter positions is junior Janaya Higgins. Senior Kaylyn Vadon and junior Mackenzie Kimmons will play on the right side.

Cox also expects a lot out of senior Caley Bruce, who anchors the middle for the Lady Tigers.  Joining Bruce in the middle are juniors Anslee Evans and Logan Goza. Goza is a newcomer on the court this year for the Lady Tigers.

“Because of the transfer rule she couldn’t play last year so we’re excited to have her out there this year with us,” Cox said.

The Lady Tigers also welcome junior Blakelea Hall back to the court at libero. Cox said Hall battled the injury bug last season but is now “healthy and ready to go this season.”

Senior Anna Henderson is the team’s defensive specialist.

“This is a fun group,” Cox said. “We lost two seniors who were big contributors last year, but we’ve had several step up trying to fill their shoes. They’re showing up to work and that’s all you can ask.”