Young Panthers squad hoping to mature, win

By Jeremy Wise

Published: August 13, 2008

For the past two years, the Geneva Lady Panthers volleyball team has made the sub-state round in the Alabama High School Athletic Association playoffs.

If the Panthers are to reach that round or go one step further to the state tournament, they will have to do some maturing.

This year’s Lady Panthers only have two seniors, but Moore said the young squad can win.

“I believe they can do it. It’s a lot of going back to fundamentals,” Moore said.

The Lady Panthers lost seven players off of last year’s squad.

One of them was Lessie Scott, a hitter that inked a scholarship with Wallace State in Selma.

Moore said Lacresha “Cricket” Fikes, one of Geneva’s two seniors, will have to “step up” to fill Scott’s void.

Junior K’shena Myhand may also see some playing time at Scott’s old position.

The Lady Panthers will replace some setters, as well.

Marisa Jenkins and Kasey Carswell will be the two setters in Moore’s offense.

Jenkins, a sophomore, has some varsity experience setting, while freshman Carswell was the junior varsity setter last year.

Moore said Jenkins is the best server, while Carswell “is coming along as a hitter.”

Senior Macy Duncan returns at libero, a defensive specialist.

At opposite hitter, Shae Ware will see some time.

Moore said she thinks the voids left from this year’s departures can be filled.

“We can fill some of the voids. The girls are working real hard. They’ve improved a lot,” she said.

She said this year’s team has two strengths: positive attitude and senior leadership.

The Lady Panthers will get a new area as they face Daleville and Wicksburg.

Moore said she expects to end up first or second in the area, advancing to the playoffs.

She added in her 11 years at the helm of geneva, her team has failed to advance past the area tournament once.

The Lady Panthers open the volleyball season with Cottonwood at 6 p.m. Aug. 21.