By Chuck Reherman
Sports Editor
Aiming for four in a row.
Southwest Covenant has opened the last three seasons with victories over Weatherford. An experienced Lady Patriot team is looking to make it four in a row.
SWCS opens the season on Thursday, hosting Weatherford. The varsity will play at 5 p.m. with the JV playing at 4 p.m.
The Lady Patriots have beaten Weatherford the last three season openers. Weatherford has been a perennial state contender in class 4A, but had a tough season last year. The Lady Patriots won 3-1 in the opener last year, but lost in the Bethany Tournament 2-0. SWCS has won five of the last six meetings between the teams.
“We have three long days of practice and we will put in two more, but we feel we are ready to play,” Lady Patriot head coach Sam Lindsey said. “We are tired, but we are officially ready to get started. We have put a lot of hours in and have played a lot of volleyball.
“I have been impressed with what I have seen on the court,” she added. “I am getting close to narrowing down the line-ups. The scrimmages helped us figure out who is going to be the best at what spots for us. Everyone has improved from last year and I expect this to be the best team I have had here.”
The Lady Patriots did scrimmage at Yukon on Thursday against the Millerettes, Midwest City Carl Albert and the Oklahoma City Storm.
SWCS scrimmaged at Putnam City Original on Friday.
The Lady Patriots have a solid corps returning in Macie Noland, Kylie Mosley, Alex Davis and Kindle Chamberlain.
“We will be looking to fill a setter spot, a defensive spot and a libero,” she said. “Kindle is going to step into the libero and a freshman Sierra Andis has done really well this week and will have a chance to play some.
“Allie Ward and Lizzie Mitchell are working at setter,” she added. We will have to decide on a 6-2 or a 5-1 will be the best for us. They both played it on the JV last year and have a little bit of experience.”
The Lady Patriots have moved up to class 4A this season after reaching the class 3A state tournament the last two years.
But, the Lady Patriots have always played up a class or two during the regular season, the only difference will be when regionals come around.
“Blocking and offense will be a strength for us, but the jury is out on our defense,” Lindsey said. “We will know more when we play some tougher competition.
“We know we will have a competitive first match with Weatherford and are looking to get off to a good start,” she added.”
