The Temple College Leopard Volleyball team opens their 2018 season at home on Thursday August 23rd at 4:00 p.m. Thoughts of possibility and a hunger for wins has the Leopards itching to start their season. Last season, Jordan Pickett's first season as head coach, went less than ideal. The coaching transfer left only 10 athletes in the program. With not even enough players to scrimmage at practice and successive injuries, the Leopards won a total of three matches all season. For 2018 there is a whole new squad in town. One returner, Kendall Herring, is surrounded by 16 freshman for this year's team. The athletes have been training for three weeks to kick off the season. Coach Pickett is excited to see the leadership of such a young team and looks forward to seeing the season pan out. "We have a good group of athletes, we just have to make sure to peak at the right time," says Pickett about what she's hoping for the season.
Kendall Herring, the lone sophomore, finished her season second on the team for most digs and digs per set respectively with 148, and 2.47. Herring was also fourth on the team for service aces with 11, as well as second in aces per set with .18. Other athletes to watch for are Imana Ellis, from Slidell, LA, Lauren Cox, from Fort Worth, TX, Breonna Fleming, from Killeen, TX, Chloe Darilek, from Vanderbilt, TX, and Alexandria Castillo, from Buda, TX. Ellis has a fast arm swing and can really score points no matter the set given her. According to Pickett, Ellis is a fast learner and has already improved drastically since preseason started. Cox is someone to shed light on heading into the 2018 season, as well. Cox's vertical, athleticism and strong core make for a solid block and a heavy swing. Pickett is looking forward to refining her technique and shot selection throughout her career here. Another player to watch out for is Fleming from Ellison High School. "We are lucky another school didn't find her first", says Pickett on recruiting Breonna Fleming. She is extremely athletic with untapped potential in both the front and back court. Darilek, a multiple sport athlete, helped Industrial High School earn post season honors twice: volleyball made it to the 3A Regional finals, and in basketball made it to the state semi-finals. Darilek is a utility player with skills in any area, but this season will be Temple's only six-rotation player as a middle. Last but not least is Alexandria Castillo. Some of the girls on the team say she's like a vacuum cleaner because she picks everything up. Pickett notes that Castillo is fast, competitive and taller for a L/DS making her ideal for a defensive player on the court.
The Leopards open their season on Thursday August 23 at 4:00 p.m. when they host Wharton County Junior College, and then it's off to the races. Pickett has scheduled a tough early season to prepare the Leopards for conference starting September 20th, at Hill College. The Leopards will face four top 20 preseason poll ranked teams in the first two weeks of play.
