Woodruff High School 2020 Fall Sports Preview
By: Garrett Mitchell, Staff Writer
Volleyball
Head coach: Heather Abrams (Eighth season)
2019 results: 11-7 (10-0), First place Region III-3A
Returning starters: 5
Key retuning players: Brooke Bailey, Abigail Linder, Maddie Grace Runyans
Key newcomer: Kylie Hitchcock
Season outlook: “We graduated just one senior from last year’s team and return 10 players, including seven who have started for us,” says Abrams. “We want to compete for another region championship and make a deep run in the play-offs. Although our season has been shortened from the pandemic, we are excited to be able to compete this season. We will have to adjust to accommodations in our sport in attempt to keep individuals healthy so we can compete.”
Cross Country
Head coach: Ty Skinner (Fourth season)
2019 results: Boys and girls finished 2nd in Region III-3A
Key returning runners: Girls – Maggie Rhodes, Chloe Chandler, Autumn Bishop, June Welch, and Adaline Rudder. Boys – Grayson Fulmer, Bryson Mock, Ashton Mock, John Hiott, Corey Reed, and Bryson Summers
Key newcomer: Erin McCallion
Season outlook: “Expectations for us are the same each season. We expect to compete for region championships and qualify for the state meet,” says Skinner. “We have a young boys team with a lot of guys who are going to need to take the next steps in their running in order for us to have success as a team and fill the shoes of some runners who graduated. They are more than capable of doing this and I’m looking forward to working with them and watching their growth. Our girls’ team this season really has the opportunity to be special. We have two very experienced seniors and a group of ninth graders with tremendous potential. The sky really is the limit for this group because if they run like they are capable then they will have a chance to show very well in the region and state meets. All in all, I’m really looking forward to working with our groups this season and seeing them accomplish their goals and run to their fullest potential.”
Girls Tennis
Head Coach: Lea Ann Skinner (21st season)
2019 results: Fourth place in Region III-3A
Returning starters: 4
Key returning players: Rebekah Wireman, Lauren Beeler, Marlee Wood, Olivia Lendway, Coco Zheng, Lily Zheng, Emily Thompson, Adriene Newton
Key newcomer: Ivey Kate Rhodes
Season outlook: “We are looking for lot of growth in our skills and lots of development from last season,” says Skinner. “These kids have the opportunity to play in positions they have never played in before. When they get to play in higher positions, they play better players which will make us better as well.”
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