Jenkins Wants Better Hitting Out Of Wildcats

Wins at the Great Smokey Volleyball Series could be the jump start for Livingston Volleyball, according to head coach Christie Jenkins.

Though they finished the weekend as winners, the Wildcats started the tournament in Sevierville with four straight losses to out of region and state teams. The team was bumped down into the bronze bracket and won two games against Eastwood and Collinwood High School.

“We have moments of great things that I see and the moments of where I’m like ‘we’ve got to work on that when we get to practice this week,'” Jenkins said. “I am so glad we only have two games this week so we can really work for three days on what we need to get better at.”

She said that what stood out to her at the tournament was the lack of passing cohesion. This week the Wildcats will get back to basics and iron out the passing woes that have plagued this team.

“We’ve got to work on our passing and getting good sets,” Jenkins said. “Our hitters are there, but we’ve got to really focus on making good passes and getting our setter to where she cans et up the girls more on the net.”

While passing in general is an issue with the squad, Jenkins said senior libero Mallie Carwile’s passing has been impressive especially in the past week. Middle and right-side hitters Cora Copeland and Chloe Jenkins have continued to improve and solidify their spots in the ever evolving rotation.

“I mean they hit it very well this weekend,” Jenkins said. “And then we have a little freshman Bella Harris who comes in. She doesn’t always necessarily hit it the strongest but she puts it where it needs to be for us to get a point off of it.”

With the season entering it’s final few weeks before district tournaments, Jenkins said real progress will be made during practice and this is a big week for the program.

“It’s all about experience, the more reps you have in any sport, you know, you’re going to continue to get better,” Jenkins said. “I just think that’s what we need. We need to get in a gym and we need to practice. And I think this week will really help being able to practice for three days.”