Chambers Expects Unity In Clay Season 2

After 11 years coaching middle school, Clay County Volleyball Coach James Chambers said he believes his team is poised to make some noise in year two of his tenure.

The Bulldogs enter this season with much of the same squad as last year, comprised of mostly sophomores and juniors. And with almost all of his players having already played under him at Clay County Middle School, Chambers said the connection is strong.

“I think we know each other,” Chambers said. “They’ve played with each other. They know how people think. They know how their instincts. They know their habits of each other. They know the strengths and weaknesses of each other. So, I think having that tight knit group is going to be something that is positive and is only going to get better as they continue to play together.”

Chambers said he feels lucky to have only lost two seniors last year and is retaining six out of the seven starting spots. Chambers said junior, Reagan Cherry, will be a focal point for his program this season. After a sophomore season that saw her exceed expectations, Chambers said he expects her to be a leader on and off of the court.

Clay County finished last season with a losing record and missed the district tournament. In his first year of coaching high school volleyball, Chambers said there was an adjustment period and the game itself changed in his move up a level.

“I think all across the lineup it’s just more consistent,” Chambers said. “I know also, just the speed of the game and the strength at which a lot of these girls hit the ball. That’s something I think that has been an adjustment and seeing the difference from 11 years in middle school to high school.”

With the season right around the corner, Chambers said he is excited for fans to see a revamped team full of hungry girls that want to win.

“I want them to see a group of girls that are not going to quit,” Chambers said. “That you can never take anything for granted with these girls, you can’t sleep on them. And that they’re going to have to be taken seriously. There’s nothing going to be a gimme about playing Clay County volleyball.”