Bangs posted a 9-12 overall mark and 6-8 record in District 8-3A a year ago, finishing one game back of fourth place Eastland.
“I’m really excited for district,” Lovelady said. “I know we’re in a super hard district and it’s going to be super competitive with Brock, Peaster and Millsap. Our goal is to be right behind them. Even though we’re young I hope we’re still able to beat Dublin, Comanche, and Early and compete with Brock and Peaster.”
The Lady Dragons’ roster features seven seniors this year, but most are new additions from last year’s JV squad. Bangs also has a significant influx of freshman talent on this year’s roster.
“It looks like our team is going to be made up of seniors and freshmen,” Lovelady said. “Returning-wise I’m going to have my outside, my middle and my setter. We’re going to be young, but I still have super high expectations. I have a super athletic group, we’re just going to have to really focus on our defense. We graduated all of the back row players, so we’re very offensive strong this year.”
Leading the charge for Bangs this season will be middle blocker Maggie Morales, outside hitter Jacee Miller and setter Hadley King.
“They’re the backbone of my team,” Lovelady said.
As for newcomers to keep an eye on, Lovelady said, “We have several girls that I think are going to surprise. Some JV kids coming up from last year that have been working all summer are Wipada Pakaew and Rachel Solis. I have a couple of freshman hitters as well, Neeley Bradley and Jadyn Miller, that I think are going to surprise us.”
Bangs begins its season at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday as it hosts Coleman, then takes part in the Albany, Hamilton and Dublin tournaments the first three weekends of the season. The Lady Dragons also have pre-district dates with Lingleville and Abilene Christian before kicking off league action Sept. 7.
“We have so much room to grow, so growth in general, all around, and being able to build chemistry as a team,” Lovelady said when asked of the pre-district goals for the squad. “We’re throwing all these girls in together and we’re just going to have to grow as a team and be able to all play at the same level.”
Standing in the way of a potential playoff berth for Bangs this season are 8-3A foes Brock, Peaster, Millsap, Eastland, Early, Comanche and Dublin.
As for what it will take for the Lady Dragons to secure one of the top four spots in district and clinch a playoff berth, Lovelady said, “We’re young and we’re going to have some mental challenges because we are such a young team that hasn’t played together, but I think once they start playing and realizing what they can do together, I really think we can make the playoffs if we start seeing how athletic and successful we really are. These girls have so much potential.”
BANGS LADY DRAGONS
VARSITY VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE
Aug. 10 Coleman, 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 12-14 at Albany tournament, TBA
Aug. 19-21 at Hamilton tournament, TBA
Aug. 26-28 at Dublin tournament, TBA
Aug. 31 Lingleville, 6 p.m.
Sept. 4 Abilene Christian, Noon
Sept. 7 at Millsap*, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 11 at Peaster*, 11 a.m.
Sept. 14 Comanche*, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 18 Dublin*, Noon
Sept. 21 at Early*, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 25 at Brock*, Noon
Sept. 28 Eastland*, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 Millsap*, Noon
Oct. 5 Peaster*, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 9 at Comanche*, Noon
Oct. 12 at Dublin*, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 16 Early*, Noon
Oct. 19 Brock*, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 23 at Eastland*, Noon
* District 8-3A Game