More than tripling your total number of wins over the previous season is definitely a sign of progress. And, if you are looking for a team that made significant steps during the 2019 volleyball season, take a good look at the Todd County Central Lady Rebels.
After a four win season in 2018, new head coach Stephanie Conquest and her Lady Rebels took some nice steps during the 2019 season. First of all, there were 14 wins, more than three times what they had in the previous season.
The 14 wins were the most for the Lady Rebel program since the 2011 season, when they finished with 19 totals win. That team, however, was upset in the first round of the district tournament and did not get to experience regional tournament play.
The 2019 Lady Rebels knocked off Franklin-Simpson in the district semifinals to earn a trip to the 4th Region tournament. The appearance in the 4th Region tournament was the first for Todd Central since the 2016 season.
The Lady Rebels also advanced to the 4th Region All A title game before falling to Clinton County, which happened to be the same team to end their season in the 4th Region tournament.
And, there is reason to be optimistic for the 2020 season for the Lady Rebels.
One thing is team chemistry. The 2019 Lady Rebels exhibited a chemistry on the court that is often a big key to getting things rolling. Keeping that on the court feel sets the base for another “moving forward” season in 2020.
Lucy Chester is just a freshman. Chester led Todd County Central with 379 kills on the season. She added 91 digs and 67 aces.
Presley Conquest is only a sophomore. Like Chester, Conquest played in every game during the 2019 season. She finished with 147 kills, 97 digs, and 55 aces.
Meredith Drummond is also a sophomore. Drummond ended the year with a total of 337 digs for the Lady Rebels and added 28 service aces.
Addileigh Wofford is only a freshman. Woodford appears to be the assist leader in waiting. She was second on the team for the 2019 season with 92 assists, behind only graduating senior Brylee Shemwell.
While the season did not end the way the Lady Rebels would have liked, there are many positive steps that came from the season. And there, for sure, is the potential that more big steps will taken in the future for the Lady Rebel volleyball program.