Members of Hartselle High School Lady Tigers volleyball team, from left, are: (kneeling) Claire Forsythe, Katy Beth Bole, Hannah Warren, Jordan Barbrey, (second row) Ashley Segars, Cassie Beth Powell, Gabrielle Bili, Bailey Powell, (back row) Jordan Finn, Kayla Key, Madelyn Cheatham, Hayden Hanserd and Megan Zuck. | Clif Knight

Hartselle High School’s volleyball team is working hard to fill gaps left by four graduating seniors as it prepares for the 2014-2015 season.

The Lady Tigers will have the opportunity to check out the progress they’ve made in pre-season workouts when they take on Addison’s Lady Bulldogs in a home opener Thur., Aug. 28.

Addison is ranked at the top in a Class 2A pre-season poll after winning a state championship in Class 1A in 2013-2014.

Missing from Hartselle’s lineup will be Haley Jared, Taylor Lybarger, Melissa-Paul Hill and Sarah Ellen Battles. All four are now playing volleyball at the college level.

“They were outstanding players for us and are going to be missed,” said 18-year head coach Tanya Lybarger. “But we have some talented athletes back and we’re counting on them to step up and contribute on a high level. I believe this team will get better as we go along and hopefully it will peak at the right time.”

Four of last season’s starters are back. They are sophomore Megan Zuck, junior Bailey Powell and seniors Jordan Barbrey and Katy Beth Bole.

Other last year varsity players returning are junior Madelyn Cheatham and seniors Hannah Warren, Catherine Bodley and Clare Forsythe.
Jordan Finn, Gabrielle Bili and Ashley Segars moved up from the junior varsity team and Kayla Key, a junior, transferred from Arab.

Bole has moved form the middle to the right side and Key and Cheatham are playing in the middle, Lybarger said.

“These girls are working hard and so far have avoided injuries that would keep them off the court, ”Lybarger pointed out. “Improving ball control is what is getting a lot of attention.”

The Lady Tigers moved up from Class 5A to 6A this year and will face Decatur, Austin and Cullman as area opponents.

“Our goal is to get back to the final four and compete for the state championship,” Lybarger said,

The Lady Tigers reached the final four for the eighth consecutive year in 2013-2014, losing to reigning 5A champion St Paul.