Growth in numbers highlights Faith Academy volleyball

CAPTION: The Faith Academy of Marble Falls volleyball program drew 22 athletes for the 2023 season, giving new head coach Erin Sawyer plenty of options. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro

The Fire Pit on the campus of Faith Academy of Marble Falls was barely big enough to house the number of volleyball players who committed to play during the 2023 season.

New head coach Erin Sawyer spent the beginning of the week of July 31-Aug. 2 evaluating the players to determine which ones were going to be on the varsity and which would get valuable playing time on the junior varsity, she said.

“There’s a real true excitement for being there and excitement for the season,” she said. “The big thing we have is an amazing vibe of positivity, hard work and hustle. They’re showing what they got.”

As the players were stretching and getting warmed up, senior Jillian Martin confessed to being sore, which compelled her coach to ask if other players were sore, to. Many said they were, which thrilled their coach.

“That means you’re getting in volleyball shape,” she said. “The only way you can get in shape for volleyball is to play volleyball. The last month or so, there was no volleyball going on.”

The Lady Flames have several returners: seniors Abigail Blackington, Martin and Kaytlyn Wood and junior Hadley Shipley. The program also welcomed back Kate Dooley, Brooke Farmer and Carleigh Henderson after a one-year hiatus.

“We needed numbers; we didn’t have numbers last year,” Sawyer said. “There’s been a bump-up in numbers. I want our volleyball program to do well. They would come to our games and say ‘I miss volleyball.’ I left the door open. I gave them that option and let them know the door isn’t closed. They really love the game.”

Sawyer has scheduled some challenging pre-district opponents, who will test the Lady Flames and prepare them for District 3-3A play, considered by many to be the toughest district in the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools. Defending Class 3A state championship Round Rock Christian is in this district. Therefore, Sawyer changed some things she believes will better help her players.

“I adjusted our defense and some things we do to be great a lot,” she said. “On Wednesday and Thursday (Aug. 3-4), we’ll be doing a lot of play. The girls are all playing well with one another. They’re getting to know the speed that we play volleyball. That’s how you get better at it. We’re going to try to make some strong teams and represent Faith Academy the best way we can.”

The Lady Flames welcome Marble Falls for scrimmages Saturday, Aug. 5. The junior varsity hits the court at 10 a.m. and the varsity follows at 11 a.m.

Faith Academy travels to San Antonio Lutheran High School Tuesday, Aug. 8, for the season opener. The junior varsity plays at 5 p.m. and the varsity follows.

Watch videos on Highland Lakes sports by going to Fierro’s YouTube channel and searching for The Broad Podcaster. Please like, subscribe and share.