Alexandria, Ind.-- The Alexandria-Monroe volleyball squad is on a roll. Winners of 16 of their last 20, the team seems unstoppable heading into their regional matchup with Madison-Grant on on Saturday.
To those who know the program, it’s especially impressive considering what they have lost. In June, longtime assistant and newly-minted head coach Deanna Miller died following a brain aneurysm. The team has kept their beloved coach’s memory close, adopting the motto, “Do it for D.”
Emalee Wyatt, a former player under Miller, stepped up to lead the team. “I knew her,” said Wyatt. “I had been a part of the program for years. So, just being around all of it, I already knew how big she was to this program. How big she was to the girls. I'm trying to honor her the best I can for them."
The team wasn’t always on such a roll though. Through the first handful of games for the team, it was a struggle to put a check in the win column. “It was pretty rough, said senior middle hitter Taylor Stinefield. “We were like 6-9 at one point. We had a losing record the whole beginning of the season, first month and a half. And then we kind of kicked into gear.”
The Tigers agree that the catalyst for their season was a win against Tipton in mid-September, a game that doubled as Dianna Dedication Night.” After that was all business, including a five set win over their upcoming foe Madison-Grant.
As the team heads to regionals, the team is confident. “We’re doing it for D.”
Contact Philip Choroser with comments and questions at philipchoroser@gmail.com.
