Published: November 12, 2009 11:49 pm      

Bobcats on familiar ground in Charleston

When Summers County takes the floor at 1:30 p.m. today at the state volleyball tournament in Charleston, few could blame the Bobcats if they say a collective, “Home, sweet, home!”

After all, the Charleston Civic Center, site of their Class AA quarterfinal game with Ritchie County, is where Summers has won three consecutive girls basketball state championships.

“We’re confident playing there,” coach Kelly Brogan said. “Although not in volleyball, they’ve been at that level, in that kind of environment, and it’s an advantage.”

The Bobcats are making their third trip in as many years to the state tournament and would like nothing better than to win their first championship in the sport.

Last season, despite having six new starters, Summers roared into the state tournament on 19 straight victories and beat Herbert Hoover three out of four games in the opening round.

But against eventual champion Oak Glen, they sputtered.

Few things worked right for the Bobcats as they dropped a 25-11, 25-8, 25-21 decision.

“Jitters got to us,” Brogan said. “Oak Glen had a lot of strong hitters and we didn’t have enough experience blocking them. We became more and more nervous and we let down.”

Blocking, as well as all aspects of the game, is better this year for Summers, which compiled a 40-4 record en route to becoming Region 3 champion.

The front line of middle hitters Candace Brown and Leslie Mack, and outside hitters Hallie Gunnoe, Hanna Gunnoe and Kelsie Lively, is fairly tall and very athletic.

Both Brown, a 5-9 sophomore, and Mack, a 5-10 junior, played on the outside last season. Mack moved in when Hanna Gunnoe suffered a bad ankle sprain.

Hallie Gunnoe, a 5-10 junior, played in the middle last season and has blossomed on the outside.

“It’s opened up the court for her,” Brogan said. “She’s quick and gets up above everybody.”

Hanna Gunnoe, Hallie’s twin and an inch taller, is a stronger blocker than hitter. The still-ailing ankle forces her to play outside.

“Her timing is off and she can’t jump like she used to,” Brogan said. “Moving outside was a big adjustment, but she stepped up the last game.”

Lively, a 5-8 junior, is not only a good hitter and blocker, but she can also assist Albany Reed with setting.

Reed, a 5-5 junior, went to camp last summer and is tremendously improved.

“She learned things like back sets and quick sets. She’s learned where the hitters are,” Brogan said. “I get a lot of comments from other coaches on her.”

Back row player Keri Hudson, a 5-7 sophomore, rounds out the rotation. A first-year player, she’s learned the game fast.

Brogan believes her team can match up with anyone.

“I know Ritchie County and Oak Glen have consistently played against Class AAA teams and we haven’t, except for the Greenbrier East tournament,” she said.

“But I feel our offense and blocking should keep us in the game with anybody.

“After last year, people won’t expect us to be nearly the team we are. I hope we can catch them by surprise.”