Straughn seniors know team roles well

Straughn’s three seniors — Jacie Williamson, Paige Taylor and Katelyn Kinsaul — have each contributed in their own way for the Lady Tigers this season.

They’ll put their contributions together again tomorrow as SHS travels to Montgomery to play in the Class 4A South Super Regional in the Multiplex at the Cramton Bowl.

In the super regional, teams must win two games to gain a berth to the state tournament next week in Birmingham. If a team loses, then its season is done.

With the right amount of communication, teamwork and playing like they know how to play, all of Straughn’s seniors believe they’ll get to the Elite 8.

Taylor said their mindset going into tomorrow is simple.

“We’re going to just be clam and stay focused on our goals,” Taylor said.

On the team, each play at different positions. Williamson is a middle and outside hitter, Taylor rotates in several spots on the court and Kinsaul is the setter.

SHS head volleyball coach Daniel Rodgers said his seniors have done a good job of filling their roles well.

“Paige contributes with her eyes for the court,” Rodgers said. “Paige is another coach out there. She helps people get in the right spots. She’s just got a knack for seeing the openings and getting the best out of the others.

“Katelyn has a knack of being positive, making others forgetting about the enormity of the situation and just having fun,” he said. “Jacie is a leader by example. She’s not the most outspoken, but she does things the right way. She’s an encourager. She’s just a ‘Steady Eddie.’ She doesn’t change if we’re down 10 or up 10.”

What has driven the small group of girls this year has been not wanting to lose.

“This is our last chance to do something,” Kinsaul said.

The Lady Tigers’ first loss of the season came against New Brockton.

Williamson said they learned a lot from the loss.

“It took some of the pressure off,” Williamson said.

Straughn will play Handley tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. in the first round of the super regional.