The 2019 Caldwell County volleyball team gets thrown right into the fire Monday night.
The Lady Tigers open the regular season with a first-round matchup in the 2nd Region All ‘A’ Classic. Livingston Central visits the CAB gym in Princeton.
However, the odds heavily favor Caldwell. The Lady Tigers have never lost a regional All ‘A’ volleyball contest in any of the years they’ve been eligible for the small-school event. In addition, Caldwell has never lost to Livingston in 21 previous meetings all-time.
The Lady Tigers have their sights set on another trip to the All ‘A’ Classic state tournament this year — and another run at the KHSAA’s 2nd Region championship at the end of the season is on the agenda as well.
Caldwell returns much of last year’s 24-10 squad, which won the school’s 12th straight district championship and reached the semifinals of the 2nd Region tournament before falling to eventual champion Henderson County.
The three-time defending region champion, Henderson promises to be a big hurdle for Caldwell again this season. However, a new player has emerged on the regional scene.
In a preseason coaches poll, University Heights Academy was tabbed as the 2nd Region favorite. Caldwell was second on that list with Henderson third.
The Lady Tigers figure to be in the thick of things one way or another behind Region Player of the Year contender Olivia Mitchell. The junior outside hitter, who was honorable mention all-state last season, already has her eye on Jessie Stone’s school mark for career kills and is a huge threat on the left side and from the back line.
Caldwell also returns both setters from last year, with senior Savanna Tays and junior Kendyll Prowell on the court at the same time, helping to give the Lady Tigers a versatile attack.
Sophomore Mary Tays takes over as the outside hitter on the right with junior Abby Griggs and sophomore Savannah Scott ready to man the middle.
Junior Riley Thomas returns at libero with senior Addi Perkins also seeing time as a defensive specialist.
Again, Livingston looms in Monday’s season opener as Caldwell begins its quest for a 10th trip to the state All ‘A’ Classic tournament. The Lady Tigers won the All ‘A’ state championship in 2010.
With a win over the Lady Cardinals, Caldwell would advance to the rest of the 2nd Region All ‘A’ Classic tournament, which will be played in September at Fort Campbell.
Caldwell will look to continue the excellence on the volleyball court that has produced 17-straight winning seasons and an all-time mark of 455-177-2.
Caldwell has topped the 20-win mark in each of the past 13 season.
Caldwell will host the 7th District tournament in late October as the school goes for its 13th straight district crown.
The 2nd Region tourney will be played the following week at Fort Campbell.
Again, the regional looks like a three-horse race, at least going into the season, with Caldwell, Henderson and UHA leading the call to the post.
