The Midway Lady Raiders are gearing up for their 2019 campaign. It’s already been a busy off-season with summer and team camps, but with the official start of the season just days away, Midway will soon be putting their new team to the test in non-conference game play.
Entering this season, the Lady Raiders have some questions that will soon be answered. Having graduated seniors that fulfilled critical roles a year ago on a team that went 15-5 overall and second round playoffs appearance, who will step up and fill the voids left behind? Voids like big-hitter Alyssa Wrench? And other roles served up by Erin Barefoot, Alexis Jackson, and Karlee Martin?
Midway head coach Brandy Wrench remains optimistic on the upcoming season, acknowledging that the challenges coming into this season are no different than seasons past.
“We have been a bit different from other teams year in and year out for the past four years because each year we are losing four or five significant players to graduation. So each year our teams are pretty much different,” she said.
“One thing about Midway volleyball is that they don’t give up. Each year is something new and the girls adjust and move right along with it and work together to grow not only as individual players but also as a team.”
Official tryouts haven’t been held yet, but likely returning players for this year’s team include senior Caitlyn Holland, another big hitter for Midway that will likely spend much time on the court. She will likely be joined by fellow seniors Jordan Wallum, Makayla Chavis, and Natalie McPhail, as well as junior Sydney Williams.
With tryouts still to be held, JV newcomers are undecided at this time, but Wrench acknowledged that everyone that participated in their recent camp at N.C. State University all learned valuable lessons for going forward.
“Our goal, like every other team, is to come together as a team. (As a team) we attended three days of camp at NC State and chose the League Camp which meant we went for the evening sessions of scrimmaging and the team learned a lot,” Wrench added.
In concluding her assessment of the upcoming season, Wrench affirmed that goal-setting is a big step her team can take as the season progresses. One area Midway struggled last year is errors, which Wrench touched on in her closing remarks.
“As in any other year, we plan to set goals for our team and for each game going forward. We will set goals on certain skills whether it is to limit certain errors or work on any other particular areas.”
“We are excited about this season and already planning to go further in the State Playoffs this year.”
Marking Midway’s out-of-conference schedule this season will be 1A foe Lakewood, whom Midway has gotten the better of in recent years. Can the tide turn this season? Both teams will find out with a pair of matches starting on Aug. 19 at Lakewood and Aug. 22 at Midway.
Other teams lining the non-conference schedule are Triton, Harnett Central and South Johnston.
Prior to the start of play, the Lady Raiders will also play in tournaments hosted by Jack Britt on Aug. 10 and Cape Fear on Aug. 17.
