Eagles can challenge for title in Class AAA

September 5, 2010

By Dan Stillwell Register-Herald Sports Writer The Register-Herald Sun Sep 05, 2010, 12:21 AM EDT

BECKLEY — One match Saturday showed exactly where Woodrow Wilson’s volleyball team is now, and how good it can get.

Playing against a strong South Charleston club in the season-opening Woodrow Wilson Invitational, the Flying Eagles were at times sloppy on defense but brilliant on the attack as they split a pair of games, 24-26 and 25-21.

That was no surprise to longtime coach Shirley Brown, who has shuffled five starters and four other returnees around from last season’s 33-15-4 Class AAA state semifinal team.

“We’re working on things so that when states come around, we’ll be No. 1,” she said. “We’re really moving them around until we get something that jells.”

Hardly anyone is in the same position. The front line of seniors Jasmine Woods and Emily Wright, junior Denae Williams and sophomore Annie Patterson — all 6-footers — is becoming adept at playing both outside hitters and middle blockers.

“They’re interchangeable, depending on the team we play,” Brown said.

Another hitter, Shaitece Trigg, has moved to a defensive position to utilize her passing skills. Former liberos Brantlea Wood, a senior, and sophomore Emily Ernest are now at outside hitter and setter, respectively.

Setter is a key position in volleyball and Ernest has made a smooth transition there.

“We expect a lot out of Emily, but each week she improves,” Brown said. “It gets overwhelming for an underclassman to have that kind of responsibility, but she’s the kind of kid who can handle it and make it work.”

With so many players in new positions, sometimes holes opened up in the defense against South Charleston.

“We have to jell as a team,” Brown said. “We’ve got to know exactly who’s playing where. You have to know everyone’s position on the court.”

The Flying Eagles opened slowly against the Black Eagles, trailing 4-0 and 9-5, but played strong after that.

Woodrow lost the first game by two points and dominated the second, leading at one time 23-14 before a late South Charleston rally cut the deficit to four points at the end.

Woods was a major factor, with several thunderous hits.

“I’ll just say it. Jasmine is the best player in the state,” Brown said. “I thought so last year and I think so this year.

“She just has so much power, but she’s also court-smart. She’s so good at passing I could probably use her in the back row, but we want her up front.”

Senior Chloe McCoy and sophomore Makayla Wykle, both fine defensive players, conclude Brown’s rotation.

Another strong asset for Woodrow is assistant coach Sharon Pinardo, who once played for Brown.

“Sharon is dynamite. She gets more out of the girls than you think they will give,” Brown said. “She knows the game, and when you have someone like that on your side, you have a winning team.”

Brown, who led the Flying Eagles to state championships in 1996 and 2003, believes this team can win states.

“I have no doubt,” she said. “They have determination. They really want to win and this is a team that can do it.”

— E-mail: dstillwell@

register-herald.com

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