FALL SPORTS PREVIEW: Princeton volleyball

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on August 17, 2017 6:00 AM

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By RUDY COGGINS

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PRINCETON -- One by one they walked across the stage to accept their diplomas.

Blake Hinnant. Erika Hines. Leah Narron. Daisey Eklund. Kortney Edwards. Beth Braswell.

Mixed emotions streamed through Paige Renfrow.

Six key pieces of perhaps the most-successful era in Princeton High School volleyball had just graduated. A period that included the program's first-ever state title and 65 victories over a three-year span had ended.

"I thought that we'd be having a rebuilding year this year," said Renfrow, who had just given birth to her second child, Sawyer, months before the momentus -- and tearful -- occasion.

"(But) I'm very comfortable starting the season. I've been surprised with the underclassmen, even some of the freshmen coming in are strong. This ninth-grade group is going to be like the Kelsey Peedin, Taylor Carroll, Hailey Wood (class) ... that caliber of play."

High praise for a group that has yet to handle the ball in either the offensive or defensive phase of live play. Peedin, Carroll, and Wood helped guide PHS to the state 1-A crown in 2014 and a runner-up finish in 2015.

One starter returns.

Senior Emily Ricks cranked out 83 kills last season and has 248 for her career.

The next five?

Renfrow didn't experience too many sleepless nights as she pondered a starting six to pencil into the scorebook. Junior Lily Eklund is expected to run the floor show. Sara Daughtry, a left-handed freshman, is an option at either middle hitter or on the right side.

Ricks is on the outside along with newcomer Callie Jones.

The libero job belongs to Madison Massey.

"She's just a pleasure. She's quick," Renfrow said of Massey. "She's eager to please...sort of like a Jenna Woodard. Nothing's ever good enough. Keep hitting to me until I get it exactly right.

"I feel comfortable with where the girls are going to play, what positions I needed to fill and the strength that I've been pleasantly surprised to see. They've got great attitudes. They want to be better."

Keep that eraser handy, though.

Moreso than in previous seasons, Renfrow has been a teacher in practice this fall. She's emphasized transition, court position on offense and defense and finding the best option off the pass -- whether it's either a serve receive or a ball dug up off of a kill attempt by the opponent.

And defense has been the Dogs' calling card.

The 2014 team covered the floor like a blanket and compiled an eye-popping 568 digs. Alleghany exploited Princeton's shaky defense in the 2015 state final. Even a year ago, the defense experienced some tremors as opposing teams learned to stretch the floor which created scoring opportunities.

Renfrow describes this year's 'D' as "solid."

That could be the crucial primary component in early-season play as Princeton works to develop chemistry on offense. The tradition-rich Dogs anticipate battling for the conference title, which currently belongs to Lakewood.

"I think no matter what we're given at the beginning of the season, we can make ourselves contend for the conference title, no matter what," Renfrow said. "I feel like our girls have the work ethic and the mindset that they'll push themselves to contend every season no matter what we're given.

"Absolutely, I feel like we're definitely a contender."