To many observers close to the Paris volleyball program, the Lady Eagles entered last winter and the spring with several question marks going into the 2022 season. As a team that faced a heavy number of graduating seniors, virtually every position on the team was “up for grabs” and players had the opportunity to compete in practices and summer camps for open positions. From the coaches’ standpoints, it was a matter of which underclassmen and others who did not receive much or any playing time last year would step up to fill big roles for the Lady Eagles this season.
After following Paris throughout the summer and watching them compete against some of the best programs in the state at all classification levels, it is phenomenal in my opinion how much progress this team has made since June. And the one aspect that fans will notice immediately when the season opens is how cohesive this team is; their happy personalities and positive attitudes, and the number of inexperienced players that have stepped up and are playing good volleyball. It is a joy to watch this Lady Eagles team. They all seem to enjoy and have fun playing the sport, and they are a tight group that works hard and displays great teamwork every time out.
One of the unsung heroes of last year’s state championship team was J.C. Hart. Hart, who played most of her career on the front line, was asked to move to the setter position to fill a crucial need. The team was deep on the front line, and the Lady Eagles could afford to move Hart to the setter position, while still having her to fill in on the front line if needed. Hart’s graduation left the setter position open again this year, and one of the biggest question marks going into this season was who was going to step up and play this important position that has a direct impact on the front line.
Paris junior Abbigail Walker has answered the call for the Lady Eagles. Walker, along with a host of sophomores and juniors playing on the team have filled crucial gaps left open by graduation from a year ago.
And anyone who has watched Paris play over the past few weeks has undoubtedly noticed that Paris is flying to the ball on the return / receive, is serving the ball well, and has played magnificently backing up the front line, as was evidenced in the Little Rock Christian match on Saturday. In short, the Lady Eagles are not letting anything hit the ground, and the combination of Walker and the front line are setting up great kills at the net for Paris.
Paris coach Jordan Devine has done, in my opinion, perhaps her best coaching job so far this season. Any coach who loses as many key players as Devine did from a state title team a year ago, and then, in very short time, brings the program back to the level that it is today, deserves a lot of credit and recognition. In fact the entire Paris coaching staff, who unselfishly stays late after practices, as long as an hour or more, to help players develop skills, is dedicated to winning and putting each player in a position to succeed. That is truly impressive.
So all of the preseason prep is over now, and staring tomorrow, it is the first game week of the new season. Paris will open at home this week when they host Russellville on Tuesday and Pulaski Academy on Thursday. And in the “way too early to count the days to Hackett” countdown, the Lady Eagles will travel to Hackett just after the Labor Day holiday to play the season’s first match-up with the team that many have predicted will win this year’s Class 3A state title. But for now, it is one game at a time for the young Lady Eagles, and the first game up is Tuesday with Russellville.
Paris fans, this will be a fun team to follow this year. Come out Tuesday and fill the gym to get the season off to a soaring start! RNN Sports will be there on Tuesday and throughout the season to bring you Paris Lady Eagles volleyball.
Good luck to Paris and all of the River Valley volleyball teams this season! And if you have not already subscribed, do so today! You will not want to miss a week of coverage. Just go to residentnewsnetwork.com and click on the subscription link!
