The 2020 volleyball season was one of the most successful in pogram history for Crawfordsville in terms of total wins.
The Athenians posted a 24-5 record, but failed to complete any of the token goals. County, Conference, Sectional. But that was last year.
Crawfordsville returns nearly everyone from a season ago.
589 kills from Macy Bruton, 306 digs from Olivia Reed, and 565 assists from Laine Schlicher just to name a few.
Reed and Schlicher join senior teammates Alyx Bannon, Shea Williamson, Liddy McCarty and Taedyn Cook, while Bruton is one year older as a junior with teammates Hallie Gayler, Halle Elliott, and Jessica Tribble.
“We are excited to start this year with a veteran group of great players,” longtime Crawfordsville volleyball coach Kelly Johnson said. “Another year of play brings a great amount of confidence as well as expectation and we hope to handle that with grace continuing to work as a team to improve everyday.”
All juniors and seniors and all with experience — with Elliott replacing lone 2020 senior Allyson Barton.
The skillset and ability is all there for the makings of a great season — it will just come down to fine-tuning the small details.
“In order for us to excel throughout the season and the postseason we need to continue to work hard on communication, consistency, and continue to improve our out of system game,” Johnson said. “Our defense will also be a vital part of our opportunity to succeed.”
Johnson is excited about the Athenians’ ability to compete with everyone on their schedule both offensively and defensively and give themselves a chance to claim the Montgomery County title, a tough Sagamore Conference and a loaded sectional that includes defending sectional champion Benton Central, who beat the Athenians in the championship game last season, avenging a regular season loss.
