Tigers seek bounce back year as volleyball season approaches

After what was a disappointing season in 2022, the Cape Central Tigers volleyball program is poised to turn things around in 2023.

Despite some key losses to graduation, Tigers coach Haley Silman feels the group has a lot of potential.

“Our offense is going to be really powerful,” Silman said. “We’ve got a really well-rounded rotation where we’ve got strong hitters on the front row every rotation. On the flip side of that, we’ve got strong defense on every rotation.”

Perhaps one of the biggest losses will be middle hitter Ella Haggerty, but Silman has tasked sophomore Sydney Miller with stepping into that role.

The Tigers success will hinge on players like Miller making the jump to the varsity level.

“The competition level is so different,” Silman said. “You wouldn’t think it would be but you’re essentially playing seniors. It’s important that those girls are mentally prepared for that higher level of competition.”

In 2022 the Tigers finished the season 14-17-1 and lost in the first round of districts.

“We talked about how last year our record wasn’t great, but we played tough competition,” Silman said. “You’re not going to get better playing weaker teams and that was one of the things we wanted to change my first year here. We wanted to amp up our schedule so we were playing tougher teams and having that competition so we could get better.”

As the Tigers prepare for the 2023 season, they have their sights said on an ultimate goal while also keeping things in perspective.

“We want to make it to the championship round of districts,” Silman said. “We want to get that first win in districts and keep going after that. We also want to take it one game at a time. We don’t want to look too far ahead because you don’t want to overlook someone that might sneak up on you.”

The Tigers roster features one sophomore in Sydney Miller, five juniors in Ella Hukel, Nalaiya Furlow, Ashlynn Hickey, Hailey Edmundson and Piper Underwood and six seniors in Brennan Beard, Avery Criblez, Celeste Gutierrez, Madison Phelps Edyn McAllister and Zacariye Carter.

Cape Central will open the 2023 season at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, August 28, when the Tigers host Poplar Bluff at Cape Central High School.