By Blake Colston
Sports Editor
In the midst of his fourth decade coaching high school volleyball, Piedmont head coach Tom Williams has some extra pep in his step this year.
Every team and every season is special for the veteran coach, but this Lady Wildcats squad has Williams more anxious than ever to get to the gym each day.
“I’m having a lot more fun coaching this year,” he said. “The kids are responding to me and the other coaches, and (the girls) really want to win.”
And they are winning. Piedmont has won eight of its last 10 matches, including a tournament title at the Coweta Tournament, to improve to 10-4 overall.
New this season to Class 6A, Piedmont’s transition up from 5A has been seamless. The Lady Wildcats are up to No. 12 in the rankings and have a winning record (4-3) against 6A competition.
Williams said he gives much of the credit for that success to his senior class. Those six players include Jordan Hahn, Zoey Hughes, Grace Robison, Bentlie Blankenship, Mallory Esau and Delaney Steckel.
“They’re doing a real good job of bringing the team together,” he said. “They’re a really close group and they legitimately like each other, and that makes a big difference. It’s pretty neat to watch.”
The senior class carries its weight on the court, but still makes room for underclassmen to make important contributions. Setter Mayli Whetter leads the team in assists and freshman outside hitter Sophie Payne along with junior Chesnie Caudill have become mainstays in Piedmont’s lineup.
Hughes, a middle hitter, said Piedmont’s 6-2 record this season in matches decided in the final set is a product of the Lady Wildcats’ cool, relaxed demeanor and good chemistry.
“We like to have a lot of fun on the court. We like to keep everything lighthearted, exciting and upbeat,” she said. “We keep having fun even if we’re losing or we’re down two sets.”
“These kids seem to have a lot of grit,” Williams added.
Hughes’ emergence at middle hitter has been a key development, too.
“That makes our outside that much better,” Williams said. “Because they’ve got to worry about Zoey in the middle and can’t just put two blockers on the outside the whole time.”
Before the season, Piedmont’s goal was to qualify for a program-record third consecutive state tournament. At the time, it was an ambitious goal. Now, anything less than a state tournament berth probably will be a disappointment for PHS.
“I definitely think we can do it,” Hughes said.
