PREP VOLLEYBALL: Despite changes, West, Meade not looking at this year as a rebuilding one (08/10)

By GREG CREWS gcrews@thenewsenterprise.com BRANDENBURG — With the loss of the Area Player of the Year, three of their four All-Area team members and the coach that helped lead them to a 9th District championship and a 24-6 record, it seems that the Meade County Lady Waves are in for a rebuilding year. Or maybe not. Despite the loss of lethal outside hitter and last year’s team leader Morgan Filburn, along with four fellow graduates and head coach Amber English, first-year head coach Michele West and the Lady Waves are expecting no falloff this season. “Practice has been going really well. I didn’t get here until July, and the girls were real gung ho to get started,” said West, who came to the team from South Carolina, where she coached middle school volleyball. “We as a team haven’t really talked about goals, but I know they have been a really good team in the past. I know they want to go even further this year, and they really think they can.” What makes Meade County so confident? Well, having six experienced seniors at their disposal sure doesn’t hurt. “That’s been really great. They all work together and they all help some of the upcoming girls do JV and varsity work. … They are an awesome resource,” West said. “They know what they are doing, and that helps us more time to scrimmage and work on all the little technical things that sometimes you wouldn’t even notice until a game.” Leading the group of seniors are captains Chelsea Stinnett and Claire Cannady, both outside hitters. “(Chelsea) is really supportive of the girls and keeps them working hard and she is always willing to come to any of the girls and help them,” West said. A pleasant surprise, West said, has been senior Megan Fackler, who moved from outside hitter to right side hitter this season. “Megan Fackler, having been taken from a position she knew a lot about, has done an outstanding job,” West said. “I saw potential for her and that’s why I moved her, but how well she has done blows me away.” Seniors Shelby Chism and Maris Harreld will split time at setter, where both have looked strong this summer. In fact, because of their impressive play, the Lady Waves plan on incorporating a 6-2 formation this season, in which they could have two setters on the court at once. Julia Powers, a senior, will be taking over duties at libero. “We will be using a libero a lot this season,” said West, who described Powers as a, “Good passer, (who) brings a good team attitude.” Sophomore middle hitter Tiffany Filburn, the only returning Meade County player from last year’s All-Area team, will also get plenty of time this season. “(Tiffany) just kills the ball,” West said. “She is an awesome server also.” Juniors Bliss Powers and Erin Sireno could also get in on plenty of action. “Erin Sireno can really get down for the ball,” West said. “She really hustles.” Juniors Blaire Brangers, Kelcie McCoy and Olivia Wright will not likely start, but West said they may be called upon to step in and help. “This team is really great all around,” West said. “All around the court they have a lot going for them. I couldn’t choose just one thing that they are strong at, because they do it all so well.” Over the past three seasons, none of the seven area teams have been quite as dominant as Meade County. In that time the Lady Waves have built a 20-3 record against area foes, and with the way things seem to be shaping up for the team this season, their dominance doesn’t appear to be at an end. Greg Crews can be reached at 505-1754