Even with a roster that features no seniors and a starting lineup that lost four of six starters from an 8-17 squad last year, the Harlan Lady Dragons and second-year coach Sierra Crow are planning for progress during the course of the 2025 season.
“We won eight games last year, and I’ve set a goal to win 15 games. We have certain schools where we want to win at least a set. We want to play at least four sets. We’re setting little goals first. We want to be competitive and we want to be respected. We surprised some people last year, but we had a hard time putting three or four sets together.”
Helping her players learn some of the intricacies of the game has been a focus in the preseason for Crow, who was a basketball standout in high school but is new to volleyball. Many of the Lady Dragons are also still learning the game.
“Our big push this year is volleyball IQ, both for them and myself,” Crow said. “These aren’t volleyball players. They are basketball and softball players with a side of volleyball. They move in the other sports without being told. I want them to have that in volleyball. I want them to be able to guide each other and have a volleyball IQ without me having to call out everything.”
The Lady Dragons lost Annie Hoskins, their top player last year, to graduation. She led the team in kills with 206, blocks with 34 and service aces with 69. Kaylee Roark and Kamryn Blanton also graduated, while Addison Campbell didn’t return to the squad this year as she focuses on basketball and softball.
Junior Gracie Hensley is perhaps the most experienced returning player on the roster and will play a huge role for the Lady Dragons this season as the team’s primary setter. She had a team-high 250 assists and 189 digs last season.
“She’s a big key to getting our offense started and set up. She had 250 assists last year, and she shared that with Kamryn Blanton out of a 4-2. She will be a primary setter this year,” Crow said. “She may not have as many digs this year because we don’t want her to be the first to touch it. She will set her offense up and that’s her main role.”
Peyshaunce Wynn, a sophomore who is also one of the region’s top basketball players, was third on the team in kills last year with 72, while adding 98 digs and 37 service aces.
“She is improving on her bumping and defending. We are looking for her to run the net and be our main outside hitter,” Crow said. “She will be our primary kill threat.”
Kenzie Shepherd, a sophomore, was a key reserve last year and added 12 aces and two kills.
“Kenzie will see a lot more action on the line than she’s used to. We need her to get her kills up. She’s knowledgeable with a hight volleyball IQ,” Crow said. “Even though she’s only a sophomore, she will be a leader and help the younger girls get in the right position.”
Crow said the other starting spots are up for grabs with several freshmen expected to play key roles, including Shaedyn Crow, Clarissa Yost and Kinsley Sturgill
“These girls have some big shoes to fill,” Crow said. “Shaedyn and Clarissa both can step into roles as outside hitters. They are in a place where they have to define themselves as varsity players. It’s different than middle school. Kinsleey is everywhere. She’s very athletic and can contribute defensively.”
Sophomore Shealyn Brackett and juniors Kadence Goodie and Gwen Toll will also contribute on the varsity.
“Kadence will be able to come in and help us defensively on the block. She has some experience with blocking,” Crow said. “This is Shealyn’s first year of playing, and I’ve seen a lot of improvement. She will push to be a starter. Gwen will also be part of the rotation. She learned a lot last year and has improved.”
Daria Lee, Kaylee Sturgill and Jordyn Shackleford are also expected to see varsity minutes as freshmen, along with eighth grader Cheyanne Childers.
“They will be vital in our rotation,” Crow said. “Some of those girls will have different jobs in high school. I’m just not sure exactly what role. We have a lot of options. It depends on who is playing well.”
The Lady Dragons are focusing much of their efforts on another deep run in the 13th Region All “A” Classic after a strong showing last season. Harlan will try to break a seven-year drought between 52nd District championships, but it won’t be easy with Harlan County and Bell County ranked among the 13th Region’s top five teams.
“We went three games into the All A last year and made it to the semifinals. We want to do that again this year, if not go all the way to the championship this year,” Crow said. “I know district is important, but I want to see how we compare to other Class A teams, and that’s where the 15 games come in. You can’t take anything away from HC and Bell County because they work year round. I don’t want us to think we can’t win, and we want to come out knowing we did our best against good teams.”