If you had to pick a single word to describe the 2019 volleyball season for the Christian County Lady Colonels it might be transition. A new, but in some aspects, not new coach to lead the program, with several new players who will be called upon to make an immediate impact when they hit the court for the Lady Colonels.
Rick Erickson, was hired after the end of the 2018 season to replace Ashleigh Sympson, who moved to Texas after the season was finished. Erickson is no stranger to the program. Erickson was the head coach for the Lady Colonels from 2008 through 2015.
Erickson’s 2014 team won the 2nd Region championship and advanced to the Elite Eight of the state tournament. His 2015 team reached the regional championship game, losing to Henderson County in five sets. He also lost in the 2012 regional final to Henderson County, and in the 2011 & 2010 finals to Caldwell County.
In his return to the program, Erickson will rely heavily on a couple of returning starters and some talented newcomers. He will be looking to senior setter Lindsie Oden, along with junior Macy Baker, to provide leadership both on and off the court. Oden is a steadying influence on the court, while Baker, especially coming off the right side, gives the Lady Colonels some power up front, which will be especially important with the graduation of Ari Johnson.
Christian County will also have the difficulty of replacing graduates Elizabeth Gibbs and Mackenzie Smiley, who had been big parts of the program for the past few years.
One of the up and coming youngsters that figures to see extensive playing time during the 2019 season is freshman Lanie Bivins. Bivins is long and athletic, and could help give the Lady Colonels a strong presence along the front line. 8th grader Riley Owens is expected to contribute on the varsity level this season as well.
While the Lady Colonels may take their lumps during the early part of the season, if the youngsters develop over the course of the year, by the middle of October this could be a team that might contend for a berth in the 2nd Region tournament.
YourSportsEdge spoke with Coach Rick Erickson about getting underway in the 2019 season.
