Greenwood Christian coming off best season in the program

Setter Rylie Scott and libero Avery Shingleton are the only seniors on a young Greenwood Christian Academy team.

Greenwood Christian Academy right-side hitter Jesica Miller (14) and sophomore outside hitter Izzy Reed break to prepare for next serve in a match against Greenwood.

Kelsey Souders moves up from Franklin freshman coach last year to head coach at Greenwood Christian Academy.

Greenwood Christian (25-9) – Former Central Christian College of the Bible coach Kelsey Souders at helm for first time … Cougars coming off best-ever season … graduated five seniors: Grace Peters, 263 kills, 281 digs; Sierra Gilson, 242 kills, 193 digs; L. Odgers, 742 assists; A. Odgers, 346 digs; and Sarah Mangan, 36 blocks … libero Avery Shingleton and setter Rylie Scott return … experienced 5-8 soph sensation/ third-generation athlete Izzy Reed (135 kills, 58 aces) returns … transfer Riley Ratliff adds strength to lineup … Cougars up front are freshman outside hitter Maggie Booher, junior hitter Jesica Miller and middle hitters Hannah Farley and freshman Dorothy O’Dell … Chloe Grider, Lilly Rastenburg and Zoey Schaeffer up from JV in back row … second season to compete in Johnson County tourney.

Coach’s comments: “We did lose a lot of experience last year. We have a new vision, new athletic director and new coaches. I know we will grow as the season progresses. We have good hitters, but we need to get the ball set to them. We have a JV team this year. We’re not looking for a breakout season; we are building a program that has a lot of young players. We are gaining players, growth and depth. We have new expectations.”

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