The Lake Oconee Academy volleyball team started the season strong last week.
The Lady Titans picked up four wins over East Jackson, Social Circle, George Walton Academy, and Frederica Academy. They were dominant and never lost a set in the first four matches of the season.
Head coach Chris Ingle was impressed with the team’s performance through the first week of the season.
“We had a great first week of volleyball matches as we finished 4-0,” Ingle told the Lake Oconee News. “We ended the week on Saturday with a win at Frederica Academy in St. Simons on the team’s annual trip to kick off the season.”
Ingle also mentioned the Lady Titans have played well without senior captain Bailey Pattison.
“The girls have shown great resilience as they continue to improve even without their captain and leader, Bailey Pattison,” LOA’s head coach added. “Several players have stepped up tremendously in her absence, and the team performance has gotten better every day since July.”
According to Ingle, this season’s group plays as a team, and they aren’t selfish. They share the ball and pass it back and forth before hitting it back over the net.
The members of the Lady Titans also pick up each other when they lose a point.
“At this point, the whole team is playing very well together,” Ingle said. “In volleyball, every player is important in every play. You can never let your guard down. Several of our players have been asked to be flexible and play multiple positions as we find our best lineups early in the season. They have shown great leadership and flexibility in putting their teammates first. I love that about this team.”
LOA picked up another win over George Walton on Aug. 9 for a 5-0 start to the season.
Ingle hopes the unselfishness and camaraderie continue against Lumpkin County and Flowery Branch later this week. He also hopes that the team can get Pattison back before the start of region play.
“We look forward to the competition,” Ingle said.