Photo by Sandy Tull
After falling short of the District Tournament last season, the Waldron Lady Bulldogs Volleyball team could be what some may consider a 2019 underdog. They come into this season playing a rough schedule and are undersized in the height category. But that’s from those on the outside looking in. What those on the outside don’t see is that the Lady Bulldogs are oozing with two intangibles so important that they cannot be measured……Intelligence and a fierce determination to succeed.
Leading the Waldron Sr and Jr Lady Bulldogs on the court this season will be seventh year Head Coach, Toby Hollin. Coach Hollin started volleyball with about as much knowledge of the game as anyone else. “When I started, I had never had the opportunity to coach volleyball before. This was such a great learning experience. After becoming much more familiar with the sport, I have truly come to love it,” Hollin said. Not only has Coach Hollin grown to love the sport but she’s also growing a program that has the capability to dominate the volleyball hardwoods. She has developed her squad into the definition of what student-athletes should be. They pride themselves in being ferocious competitors on the court, upstanding citizens off of the court, and leaders in the classroom.
Coach Hollin adds, “We had a good season last year but fell short in the district tournament. Our goal for every season is to do better than the last. We have worked extremely hard on being a better defensive team. While our main team goal is to win, of course, we will be breaking down game moments to improve on an individual level more so than we have in the past. We are continuing to head in a positive direction with not only some of the best athletes but the best all-around kids and students.”
The Lady Bulldogs have their work cut out for them in the 3A West this season. Conference foes like Booneville, Charleston, Elkins, Lincoln, Mansfield, Paris, and West Fork are no pushovers, but neither are the Bulldogs. They may be small, but dynamite comes in small packages.
It’s almost time to pack the stands in support of the Lady Bulldogs. Waldron will head to Lavaca on August 20th for a Sr High Benefit Game to warm things up and then on August 26th at 4:00 p.m. the Lady Bulldogs will open up their home court to Arkadelphia. “We hope to have a much bigger student section and fan base this year. We would love to see everyone come out and support the Lady Bulldogs. They make me proud to be a Bulldog and they will the town too!”
