Faith Academy volleyball uses first week to mix up line-ups, introduce new plays
CAPTION: Natalie Weems and the Faith Academy Lady Flames will play at home for the first time this season when the Lady Flames welcome Austin Savio Tuesday, Aug. 15. Photo by Stennis Shotts
The Faith Academy of Marble Falls volleyball team went 4-4-1 during the first week of the 2023 season.
It began with a road win at San Antonio Lutheran Aug. 8 in the season opener 25-16, 25-0, 24-26, 25-0. Then the Lady Flames went to the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools’ Spikedown Tournament where they earned a 3-4-1 overall record.
“We didn’t do bad,” head coach Erin Sawyer said. “We got fourth in our pool, and we split the other games in bracket play.”
Sawyer said the Lady Flames had a very productive week in terms of trying different line-ups, performing different schemes, and moving players to different spots.
The tournament drew almost 60 teams. Therefore officials decided matches would be limited to two sets, hence the tie against San Antonio Lutheran.
Abigail Blackington and Jillian Martin performed so well that Sawyer changed the offense to force opponents to account for Blackington as an outside hitter. Martin was solid passing the ball on serve-receive.
“(Martin’s) passing and all-around good play was really good,” the coach said. “She was consistent. Moving Abigail to outside hitter — she did really well.”
Sawyer said the players discovered plenty during the tournament.
“I think they learned to trust each other and hopefully learned to play as a team,” she said. “We’re working through the mental aspects. We played against other (Class) 2A, 3A and 4A opponents. It was good to see where we stand and push them and grow from it. The girls are learning to trust each other better. They’re learning how to play together as a team. They’re learning to have more of a camaraderie together. They know they have specific things they have to work on individually.”
Faith Academy will have its home opener against Austin Savio Tuesday, Aug. 15 with junior varsity at 5 p.m. with the varsity following at 6 p.m.
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