The winds of change are coming for the Altus Lady Bulldogs volleyball team, but optimism is still the emotion of the day. Head coach Robert Garrison is still excited for the future of Bulldog volleyball.

“The 2022 version of Lady Bulldog volleyball will be a season of change. A whole new coaching staff will be taking over the reins of this still relatively new program. Altus starts its fourth season and is still building the foundations to push the program to the next levels,” said coach Garrison. “The senior class will also be on their fourth year of experience, and they will be working with the first set of freshmen and sophomores who have three years of experience. The road to the team’s success will be tough but this year’s team is ready to start down that path and the coaching staff is excited for the upcoming season and the future.” 

Kaydence Rencher (S, Sr.) brings her experience and leadership to the court and will play an important role not just as a playmaker, but someone who can lead by example for her younger teammates. 

“Kayde has become a leader of the team. She works as a setter and hitter when needed. This summer she has worked in helping the incoming freshmen adjust to the high school and has encouraged them at all times. Kayde has shown through her actions on and off the court that she is very valuable to the team,” said coach Garrison. 

Taylor Johnson (H, Sr.) is another in the trio of seniors coach Garrison will lean on this season. An extremely hard worker, Johnson has fought through some adversity to be where she is today.

“Taylor has been the hardest working girl on the team since her freshmen year. Her goal is to get to play at the college level and she is doing everything she can to improve her game and get there. She started out as a setter her freshmen year and now has become our main hitter, while also being one of the top setters and defensive specialists. Taylor will be luckily playing her senior season after being in a terrible ATV accident in January that saw her break her femur in her leg. She is ahead of her recovery and worked so hard to get to come back from the injury so that she will be ready for the season,” said coach Garrison. 

Outside hitter Keeley Brown (So.) continues to show she can handle the outside while Taylor Owens (Jr.) is proving to be an outstanding setter. Claire Beason (So.) has developed into a solid Libero and newcomer Katie Beth Davis (Fr.) is turning some heads as well. Other players to watch include Aubrey Coffman (Sr.), Alyssa Nolan (Jr.), Ava Friese (Fr.), and Madie Whittaker (Fr.).