BANGS – Fresh off a postseason appearance in their first season at the Class 2A level, the Bangs Lady Dragons have their sights set on even greater success in 2023.
The Lady Dragons are under new leadership this season as Tamara Minshew has stepped into the role of interim head coach, with assistance from Leslea Miller.
Minshew spent five years at Goldthwaite coaching basketball before arriving in Bangs in 2012 and serving as a volleyball assistant under Colleen Westfall. After five years of coaching in Bangs, Minshew stepped away for four years, but returned to the sidelines two years ago as a volleyball assistant under Cheyanne Lovelady, and has also served as head girls track coach.
Minshew’s familiarity with the roster should prove to be a bonus for the transitioning Lady Dragons, as Lovelady accepted the job of head volleyball coach at Brownwood on July 14.
“I’ve known all of them since they were in kindergarten, through little dribblers, junior high sports and through high school,” Minshew said. “I know their strengths, their weaknesses, what positions they play best, so that should give us a big advantage.”
Experience and quality depth are the biggest strengths for the Lady Dragons heading into the season.
“Coach Miller and I have three solid rotations that we’re ready to roll out there,” Minshew said. “We’ve got 12 working out with the varsity right now, so we can go 6-on-6 in practice and that will push us to a higher level. Having good, quality depth will be tremendous for our success.”
Among the players to watch are junior first-team all-district outside hitter Jadyn Miller, junior second-team all-district setter Neeley Bradley, junior middle blocker Kasey Solis, junior libero Julianna Ethridge, senior right side hitter Raylee Hutchins, and senior middle blocker/right side Emily Baker, who is returning to the program.
“They all know each other, they’ve played together for a long time so they’re not strangers and they’re not having to learn to anything new,” Minshew said. “They know what each other’s tendencies are, we’re just trying to be more proactive and communicate quicker so we have more options and different plays to run.”
The ultimate goal for the Lady Dragons in 2023, according to Minshew, is to overtake Albany and Hawley atop the District 6-2A standings.
“Last year we finished third behind Albany and Hawley, but they lost a few players so we’d like to knock them off,” Minshew said. “Coleman has a new coach and they have a ton of girls out and always bring something to the court. Ranger is only going to have one team right now I believe, so if we can find a way to beat one team twice we’re going to have a playoff spot. But, we don’t want to go in third.”
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Bangs Lady Dragons Varsity Volleyball Schedule
| Aug. 8 | at Early | 6:30 p.m. |
| Aug. 11-12 | at Veribest tournament | TBA |
| Aug. 17-19 | at Hamilton tournament | TBA |
| Aug. 25-26 | at Bronte tournament | TBA |
| Aug. 29 | at Dublin | 6 p.m. |
| Sept. 2 | Abilene Christian | 11 a.m. |
| Sept. 5 | Comanche | 6 p.m. |
| Sept. 9 | Brady | 11 a.m. |
| Sept. 12 | at Woodson | 5 p.m. |
| Sept. 19 | Bronte | 6 p.m. |
| Sept. 23 | at Albany* | Noon |
| Sept. 26 | Coleman* | 6:30 p.m. |
| Sept. 30 | at Hawley* | Noon |
| Oct. 3 | Ranger* | 6 p.m. |
| Oct. 7 | OPEN | |
| Oct. 10 | Albany* | 6:30 p.m. |
| Oct. 14 | at Coleman* | Noon |
| Oct. 17 | Hawley* | 6:30 p.m. |
| Oct. 21 | at Ranger* | 11 a.m. |
*District 6-2A Match