A year after winning 30 games, claiming the Region 5-5A title and coming within a victory of reaching the Class 5A final, the expectations for Lexington High School volleyball are at a near all-time high.
The Lady Wildcats graduated starters Bailey Taylor, Alyssa Sapp, Katie Walker and Maeson Carpenter who were also among the team’s tallest players, according to head coach Eric Shick. However, the goals remain the same with new players filling those roles. 
“We will have 3 new middle hitters this year who have never played that position at the varsity level before,” Shick said.”Even with these new and inexperienced players our goal is to win the Region and make it back to the Lower State finals and battle for the right to go to state.”  
Among the returning leaders are All-State senior and High Point University commit Maggie Salley and junior Phoebe Perkins. Shick said both players anchored the outside possision, were key defenders and top servers. 
Rae Stackley is also back and will be anchoring the right side position with fellow senior Cameron Beckum (senior) and junior Kelsey Turner.
Junior Layla Sarvis and newcomer Katie Koon will see time at setter. A quartet of seniors -  Camdyn Ross, Hannah Hammett, Janie Mosier, Mackenzie Carver - will see time at the libero position. 
As for the aforementioned middle hitter position, Shick has moved senior Natalie Maltry from the outside position and freshmen Halle Michael and Treasure James will also see action there. 
“Natalie is doing very well and adjusting quickly to her new role,” Shick said. “Both freshmen are learning fast and I have been pleased with how well they are doing at adjusting to the difference in speed between middle school and varsity volleyball.  
“Treasure is a taller player with a long wingspan and reaches high,. while Halle is fast and jumps very high (she tied for highest jump touch at 9’9”).  Both are dynamic and hit the ball hard.  
Rounding out the roster are sophomore outside hitter Addie Childress and junior defender Jessica Blackburn. 
This year Lexington will compete in an All-Chronicle Country region with newcomer Chapin and old rivals River Bluff, White Knoll and Dutch Fork. Shick expects a very competitive region with improved teams. 
After opening the season Tuesday at home against Aiken, the Lady Wildcats get an early test Thursday when they visit “The Swamp” to face the Lady Gators. 

TENNIS
Lady Gators get 4th Straight 
Palmetto Tennis Classic title

(Friday’s Matches) 

•River Bluff 6, Cardinal Newman 0 

•Lexington 5  Brookland Cayce 1
SINGLES 
Kelsey White (BC) d. Rebecca Bryan (L) 5-7, 6-2, 11-9
Reet Verma (L) d. Aubrey Ellisor (BC) 6-0, 6-1
Emmie Thompson (L) d. Katie Welch (BC) 6-0, 6-1
Emma Whetsell (L) d. Miranda Jeffcoat (BC) 6-2, 6-1
Emma Taylor (L) d. Riley Moore (BC) 6-0, 6-0

DOUBLES 
Gracen Thompson/Lucy Jeter (L) d. Callie Grace/Paw Der (BC) 6-2, 6-0.

(Saturday’s Matches)
•River Bluff 6, South Aiken 0 
•River Bluff 5, Spring Valley 1 

•Blythewood 6, Lexington 0
SINGLES  
Erica Zippel (B) d. Rebecca Bryan 6-0, 6-1
Hannah Meyers (B) d. Emmie Thompson 6-0, 6-1
Sophie Carlton (B) d. Reet Verma 6-0, 6-0
Jordan Slagle (B) d. Caroline Goodman 7-5, 6-1
Emma Horan (B) d. Emma Whetsell 6-4, 6-0

DOUBLES
Kinsey Todd & Rachel Truitt (B) d. Rohita Patil & Emma Taylor 6-1, 6-1

•Dutch Fork 4, Lexington 2 
SINGLES
Megan Barkley (DF) d. Rebecca Bryan (L) 6-1, 6-1
Emmie Thompson (L) d. Nicki Joch (DF) 6-3, 7-5
Celine Robinson (DF) d. Reet Verma (L) 6-4, 4-6, 10-5
Daniela Bakker (DF) d. Caroline Goodman (L) 6-1, 7-5
Emma Whetsell (L) d. Lindsey Kirtley (DF) 7-5, 6-2

DOUBLES
Gracie Burkett/Aniya Sims (DF) d. Rohita Patil/Emma Taylor (L) 6-4, 6-1

(Sunday’s Matches) 
•Lexington 5, South Aiken 1 
SINGLES 
Alex Romero (SA) d. Rebecca Bryan (L) 6-1, 6-3
Emmie Thompson (L) d. Audrey Grace Myers (SA) 6-1, 6-3
Reet Verma (L) d. Lee Ann Murphy 6-0, 6-1 
Caroline Goodman (L) d. Eden Anzuoni (SA) 6-0, 6-2
Rohita Patil (L) d. Caroline Bowers (SA) 6-3, 6-0

DOUBLES
Emma Whetell/Emma Taylor (L) d. Hailey Young & Chaney Heath (SA) 6-2, 6-3

•River Bluff 4, Blythewood 3 (FINAL)
SINGLES 
Erica Zippel (B) d. Liyin Zhu 7-5, 6-2
Hannah Myers (B) d. Claire Floyd 6-3, 6-4
Victoria Votion (RB) d. Sophie Carlton 6-1, 6-2
Kiana Thatcher (RB) d. Jordan Slagle 6-0, 7-6
Emma Horan (B) d. Shelby Byers 4-6, 6-1, 10-4

DOUBLES  
Zhu/Floyd (RB) d. Zippel/Myers 8-5
Riley Mitchell/Jillian Leitzsey (RB) d. Kinsey Todd/Rachel Truitt 6-0, 6-4