Loaded with seniors, Brewer hopes to shine in ‘06

By Staff
Justin Schuver, Hartselle Enquirer
With seven seniors on this year’s Brewer volleyball team, head coach Ron Smith is expecting big things for the Lady Patriots in 2006.
The Lady Patriots will have to replace five seniors from last year’s team, including middle hitter Cristin Slate, libero Nichole Hayes and outside hitter Leah Holmes. But in their place is a class of seven seniors that Smith believes will be the core of this year’s team.
Andrea Crawford returns at the outside hitter position after a stellar junior season. Michelle Tillman and Kayla Amerine are seniors who will man the middle and Courtney Scott is a senior who will be one of the Lady Patriots’ right side hitters. Scott missed most of the 2005 campaign with a broken foot. Joining Scott on the right side will be Kendra Jones.
Junior Meagan Hormel will join Crawford on the left side and replacing Holmes as libero will be Krista Hughes. Genie Browning and Rebecca Alderton will split time as Brewer’s setter. Megan Murphy will be counted on to add depth.
The Lady Patriots finished 2005 with a record of 36-17 and failed to make the regional tournament. Smith said he hopes to see a more consistent effort from this year’s team.
Brewer will face a new slate of area opponents in 2006, moving to Area 13 along with Hartselle, Cullman and West Point. The Lady Patriots also have a grueling non-area schedule that includes matches against 6A schools Hazel Green, Bob Jones and Austin as well as smaller powerhouses in Danville and Winston County.
Brewer’s season opens today with a 5 p.m. match at Priceville. The Lady Patriots host the Brewer/Pepsi Tournament Saturday at Brewer and open their regular season home schedule with a match against Athens at 2 p.m. Tuesday.