Shannon Fagan, WEIS Sports Director
SAND ROCK – For the first time since 2011, the Sand Rock Lady Wildcats’ volleyball season ended prematurely. They were eliminated by Cedar Bluff in the first round of the Class 2A, Area 13 tournament at Pleasant Valley.
To put that in perspective, it was only the second time Sand Rock had such an early exit under head coach Lisa Bates, and the first losing record (13-25) for her and assistant coach Johnny Howell in 23 years.
Bates and the Lady Wildcats plan to turn things around in 2025.
“Last year we had a disappointing year. It was not what we expect out of Sand Rock volleyball,” Bates said. “I know we lost so many (players from the 2023 state runner-up year), but we just didn’t have that oomph last year that we needed, which turned into way too many losses.”
But last year is last year. Bates said this year’s squad is looking “way more positive” this season.
“This group has super attitudes,” Bates said. “We did lose four players from last year, one senior and three others, but I believe the ones I’ve got want to be out here. They come in and work hard every day, and they have good chemistry. We are going to be lacking in power, but I hope they’re going to make up from that with scrappiness and fire. We definitely have that. I’ve got great leadership this year and that’s awesome.”
Three seniors return for the Lady Wildcats this season in outside hitter Megan Smith and middle hitters Macey Pruitt and Caitlyn Lynch.
“All three of my seniors want to win,” Bates said.
“Megan is going to be playing a much bigger role than she has. Playing outside hitter is something she hasn’t done before, but she’s stepped it up and is going to take on that role. She’s very versatile for us.
“Macey has really been a good leader this year, and she’s hopefully going to give us a lot from the middle. Caitlyn, my big girl, when she gets up she can really put it down. She has good timing blocking. Volleyball is all she does and she loves it.”
Junior Molly Grace Lay returns following an all-county selection at libero last season. She posted 403 digs, 91 sets, 28 aces and 37 assists. This year, however, Bates said Lay is transitioning over to play right side and set.
Filling Lay’s old spot at libero is fellow juniors Paitlyn Hughes and Emma Sipsy. Bates said Hughes and Sipsy could also both see playing time at outside hitter, depending on game situations.
Another junior, Maddie Clanton, is expected to set and possibly play some at right side.
Sophomores Alyvia Browder, Taylyn Warren, Macy Martin, and Aubie Camp, along with twin freshmen Addisyn and Ashlyn McMichen, will provide the Lady Wildcats with depth.
“This is a good group of girls. They’re fun to be around,” Bates said. “We have not had a whole bunch of pouting and complaining. They just get out and do what we ask them to do.
“I’m looking forward to this year. I think we should be competitive and better than last year.”
To help the Lady Wildcats in their quest to return to the North Super Regional is a pair of former Cherokee County MVPs in Paige Lockridge and Haleigh East. They’ll be assisting Bates and Howell from the Lady Wildcat bench.
East was the volleyball head coach at Faith Christian in Anniston last season.
“I like having her and Paige in here,” Bates said. They’ve got fresh eyes and fresh ideas. I’m glad we have them.”
The Lady Wildcats once again compete in Class 2A, Area 13 with Cedar Bluff, two-time defending state champion Pleasant Valley, and Gaston. They open the 2025 season at home on Aug. 21 with a tri-match against back-to-back Class 4A Elite 8 participant Cherokee County and Gordon Lee of Georgia.
“We didn’t water down the schedule any. We’re going to play tough teams to get us ready for the end,” Bates said. “I think we’ll be more ready this year than we were last year. We have to be because they know last year was not acceptable. We’re going to keep pushing them and doing what we do to try and get them ready. I feel like we’ll get better and better all year. We’ve just got to find that offensive power from somewhere.”
