Perry Meridian looks to improve this season with hitters Sally Mortensen, Savannah Pipes, Caitie Baird and Grace Ann Hartman.
Perry Meridian (11-20) – Second-year under former University of New Orleans coach Jennifer Gandolph Hawk … double-setter learning curve resulted in late-season five-match winning streak … reached Decatur Central sectional title match … Leader is all-everything, 6-3 senior Caitie Baird (team-high 497 kills, 50 aces, 295 digs), one of top 12 players in the nation … setter Megan Bolyard, team-high 448 assists and versatile Haille Cutter, return … soph Molly Shannon backup setter … middle-hitter depth features junior Sara Allen (70 blocks), soph Sally Mortensen (114 kills) and frosh Laura Crittenden … strong front line with soph Grace Ann Hartman (107 kills, 45 blocks) … junior libero Pat Sung (257 digs) and classmates Savannah Pipes (141 digs), McKayla Gomperts and German exchange student Nina Zens handle back row.
Coach’s comments: “Last year we didn’t have a lot of depth from the bench and, not a lot of experience on the court. We won two sectional games but came up short in the final. These girls are anxious to begin where we left off. We have some nice tools. With three seniors we are young but more experienced. Caitie Baird brings a whole new level with her presence on the court. This group has had fun working out during the summer, now it’s time to piece things together. We are having competitive practices because these players are really fighting for a spot. We’ll play whoever is going to help us the most. We have high expectations with more experience and playing in a new conference (Mid-State). They are starting to believe.”
Coach’s comments: “Last year we didn’t have a lot of depth from the bench and, not a lot of experience on the court. We won two sectional games but came up short in the final. These girls are anxious to begin where we left off. We have some nice tools. With three seniors we are young but more experienced. Caitie Baird brings a whole new level with her presence on the court. This group has had fun working out during the summer, now it’s time to piece things together. We are having competitive practices because these players are really fighting for a spot. We’ll play whoever is going to help us the most. We have high expectations with more experience and playing in a new conference (Mid-State). They are starting to believe.”
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