Delta C7 VB relying on senior trio to help with program rebuild

Delta C7 High School senior Jaelyn Rollins readies to serve in a match against Hayti on Tuesday in a jamboree in Deering.

Tom Davis ~ Tdavis@semoball.com

DEERING – The Delta C7 High School volleyball program has quite the climb facing it, as it tries to build on consecutive seasons with two combined victories. However, first-year Charger coach Kristy Duffy has several factors, such as positivity, diligence by her athletes, and perhaps most importantly, veteran leadership going for her and her squad.

The Chargers, who won as many as seven games three seasons ago, have seniors Maria Bass, Jaelyn Rollins, and Hannah Ward to utilize this season.

“Jaelyn is a leader,” Duffy said. “She brings a lot of positivity.”

Bringing a good attitude has been the overriding theme for the program this offseason and into the preseason. The Chargers showed glimpses of ability during a three-team jamboree that they hosted on Tuesday, along with Hayti and Cooter.

In the case of Rollins, she not only brings a good attitude, but Duffy said the outside hitter is a pretty good player, as well.

“She definitely has a lot of power,” Duffy said of Rollins. “That is her specialty.”

Rollins is not only effective up front for Delta C7 but also in initiating a possession.

“She has an amazing serve,” Duffy said.

Duffy, who is in her first season as the head coach after working with the youth program for several years, as well as serving as the Chargers’ assistant coach last autumn, is going to rely on Ward to be versatile.

“Hannah is kind of an all-around player,” Duffy said. “She has been our setter, but she can play outside or middle.

“She goes wherever we need her. She is flexible.”

Delta C7 has 15 players out for the squad this fall and opens with a tough test on Friday at Bootheel powerhouse Clarkton at 6 p.m.

The Chargers are going to need to be solid in all areas against the Reindeer if they hope to compete against a program that has won at least 21 games in each of the past six seasons, and that includes at the net, which is where Bass shines.

“Maria works the net,” Duffy said. “We joke about how she just kind of stays in mid-air, but she is an amazing hitter, as well.”

As Duffy has gained her footing in the top spot, she said that she has relied on the three seniors to help guide the younger players, six of whom are sophomores or freshmen.

“I go to them a lot because it is my first year,” Duffy said. “I ask them questions and I expect them to lead, to be leaders, and to carry this team.”

Delta C7 will open the home portion of its regular season with a match against Holcomb on Sept. 5 (time TBA).