On August 25 at 4:30 p.m, the Mansfield Jr Lady Tigers will step on to their home volleyball court for the first conference game of the 2020 season to take on the Mulberry Lady Yellowjackets. The girls have been spending all summer preparing for the new atmosphere of the 2A conference after dropping down from 3A at the end of last season. But these uncharted waters don’t scare the Jr Lady Tigers one bit because they are thoroughly ready to showdown, throw down, and knock down any opposing team with a barrage of spikes, blocks, and digs to show what volleyball is all about.
Mansfield will be under the leadership of new head coach Kaylie Pyles along with first-year assistant Darla Walker. “Darla has been here just a few short weeks and already she has made some great relationships with the athletes,” Coach Pyles stated. “She is a very hard worker and we are glad to have her here at Mansfield. I look forward to working with her!” Last year, the Jr Lady Tigers placed second in 3A District play and ended with a 12-2 conference record. And with the majority of their freshmen starters returning along with an impressive 8th-grade group, this Jr High squad could very well ascend all the way to the top of the 2A mountain.
“I have a great group of freshmen, who will help lead this team to success. Alyson Edwards, a middle hitter, Kynslee Ward, an outside hitter, and Harlie Fuller, a setter, are returning starters from last year, whom I believe will do big things for our team. Cole Smith, a setter, moved here this summer and I believe she will be a great addition to our team as well. Several of these girls including seventh-grader Kaylee Ward, who will be playing middle for us, have stayed and practiced with senior high several times. This group has great dedication and the will to win. It will be exciting to see them play!”
When it comes to who the Jr Lady Tigers are most excited to square off against in conference play this year, Coach Pyles exclaimed, “I am excited to play against Lavaca. We played them in two non-conference matches last year and they are always talented and very competitive. It will be a great game to watch and coach.”
