by Alex Headley
The top seeded Hewitt-Trussville High School Volleyball team will be hosting an area tournament on October 18. The tournament will see the tops teams in the area facing off.
“Gardendale will be our toughest opponent for the tournament,” Head Coach Karen Riggins said. “We split during the regular season 1-1.”
Gardendale is the no. 2 seed, Huffman is the no. 3 seed and Carver is the no. 4 seed. The top two teams will advance to the Super Regional Tournament in Huntsville at the Braun Center on October 26.
“If we play to our potential I feel that we have the ability to win the tournament,” Riggins said. “This season’s team is playing more consistent than last year’s team. We are doing the right things now and learning to play smarter instead of harder.”
The team is recovering from two concussions from the regular season but according to Riggins both players will be on the court and healthy
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“Our team this year is more evenly talented,” Riggins said. “This year our starters have meshed well and are doing a good job. The bench has also contributed just as well because some of the players are so evenly matched. That’s a plus for our future.”
According to Riggins, the senior captains; setter Darby Franklin, Defense Specialist Courtney Bradford and libero Bella Goubeaux have had standout performances throughout the season. Juniors middle hitter Stephanie Jones and outside hitter Erianna Hill have been in the spotlight. Not content to let the upper classmen have all the fun sophomore middle blocker Lexxi Howell and Freshman outside hitter Charyse Swann received praise from Riggins as well.
The Huskies will begin the tournament facing off with Carver High School, and Gardendale will play Huffman. The winners of those two games will continue on to play each other in the finals.