Athletes have always been told to give their all and good things will happen in the end.

Head coach Megan Sanger and the Orangeburg Prep Lady Indians volleyball team can attest to that as owners of an eight-match, season-opening winning streak.

“We’re all kind of seniors here,” Sanger said. “I’m going to be graduating from Claflin in December and I have seven seniors that I have had for the last three years. So, we kind of want to go out with a bang and leave it all on the court.”

Sanger, who played volleyball for Lake Erie College and Claflin University each for a year, saw her team have successful campaigns in years past. In her first year at OPS, the Lady Indians made the playoffs and focused on making the state tournament. However, after missing the state tournament that year by one playoff match, making state hasn’t been a topic of discussion.

“For the last two years, we don’t talk about (the state tournament),” Sanger said. “We really try to stay focused.”

Leading the senior-laden roster are Brandy McRae, the Lady Indians’ reigning defensive MVP, and Kayla Mims, the returning offensive MVP.

Along with seniors Sallie Covington and Annie Westlund, the OPS seniors have held their winning streak remain intact. Sanger also has sophomore Shiloh Burgreen with juniors Maleah Gleaton and Haley Bozard. As the only underclassmen on the roster, they have a chance to learn a lot about being leaders and becoming better players heading into the 2010 season.

“Those three are the foundation for next year,” Sanger said. “They’ve really helped out and filled in the cracks we needed to fill from losing two last year. They fill the spots that we need that we didn’t necessarily have last year. They’ve picked it up to give us that all-around team that we need.”

The biggest win for the Lady Indians was their victory over defending SCISA Class AA champion Holly Hill Academy to improve to 5-0 this year. Still, the season is young and the Lady Indians still have a long way to go as they attempt to maintain their high level of play.

“They definitely have to keep the communication up and continue to reach their potential,” Sanger said. “We worked on stuff in practice (Monday) night and they took it to the game (Tuesday). For them to really excel, I believe they have to see the other side of the court without me having to tell them. That’s something that I learned in college. It’s something that I’ve always been preached to. You have to see through the net, watch the ball and place it all at the same time. I think if they can get there, and they’re starting to, that’s what’s going to get us where we need to be.”

T&D Sports Writer Emery Glover can be reached by e-mail at eglover@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5532. Check out his blog, Cover 2, at www.thetandd.com. For results from Tuesday’s OPS game, see page B2.

 

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