The senior-laden Grand County High School volleyball team will look to return to the postseason under the guidance of a new coaching staff with an emphasis on fundamentals and teamwork.
The Lady Red Devils struggled to a 4-14 record in 2014 and found themselves on the outside looking in come playoff time. Incoming coach Brittney Melton, a 2001 graduate of Grand County High School, hopes to reverse the fate of last year’s team. With eight seniors leading the way and several capable juniors, Grand may have the tools to get there.
The Lady Red Devils will be led by seniors Talaunee Croasmun, Kylie Haycock, Madi Jones, Kennedi Patterson, Symony Call, Michelle Lopez, Tracy Dalton and Lacey Couey. Melton said she likes what she’s seen from them to this point in the preseason.
“I push them a lot,” she said. “I tell them they have to be the leaders and they have to lead by example – and they’ve responded. When someone needs help, they’re right there to offer advice.”
Melton said passing and serving will be the keys to whether or not Grand will put a good team on the court this season, which they work on at the beginning of every practice. Another key will be how well the Lady Red Devils work as a team.
“My biggest thing is pushing teamwork and working as a team,” she said. “There’s no riding on the heels of one person. They all work together… and rely on one another.”
Teamwork and communication should see the Lady Red Devils successfully through obstacles they struggled to overcome in 2014.
“My goal is for everybody to work hard and be aggressive as they fight through obstacles,” she said. “If they have a goal and a plan, they’ll know what they need to do to execute and be successful.”
Melton will be assisted by Torrie Guerrero, Monica Oldroyd and Angela McCracken, a group in which she has a lot of confidence.
“I’ve got a top-notch staff along with me,” she said. “They’ll help tremendously to keep it fun and keep it intense.”
The Lady Red Devils begin their season at the Dixie High Invitational in St. George on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 28 and 29. Their first home game will be on Tuesday, Sept. 1, versus Green River.
New coaching staff looks to steer Grand back to the playoffs
“I push them a lot. I tell them they have to be the leaders and they have to lead by example – and they’ve responded. When someone needs help, they’re right there to offer advice.”
