Lady Bulldogs open up scrimmages Friday
By GEORGIA PURDY Newsboy Correspondent

Casey Murphy

New head volleyball coach Casey Murphy held "open gym" last week to meet her team and give them an opportunity to work out before practice began Monday, Aug. 6.

"I'm pleased with what I've observed," Murphy said. "It's hard not to say anything, not to coach or give positive comments but coaches can't do that until practice officially begins."

Coaches are not permitted to work with athletes until UIL designated practice times begin, but they can open up facilities for students to practice on their own.

Murphy coached at Katy Junior High last year and taught in Zavalla the two previous years. She is a 2000 graduate of Kirbyville High School.

"When I was in high school, Jasper was the one team we didn't want to play because they were so good," she said. "I would like to get back to that- get back to being at the top of the district."

Even with a will to produce a strong team, Murphy said that building character is at the top of her philosophy.

"While it's great to go to the state tournament, character development is important to me," she said. "I want to focus on that- the characteristics that make up a good person. I believe in accountability and will hold my team members to being accountable for their own actions."

Newsboy photo/Georgia Purdy SHAY ADAMS slams a ball over the net during the open gym.

Since there has been no time for assessment, Murphy could make no predictions about team strength, but senior Shalitha Middleton said they should be a "pretty good team" because there are at least eight members back and they have been playing together for a long time.

The team will scrimmage Diboll Aug. 10 in Diboll and Hemphill at home, Saturday, Aug. 11, at 10 am.

Their first home game is against Diboll, Aug. 21; however, Murphy said that there are some inconsistencies on the schedule and she is still checking to make sure that is correct.