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A new era of Troup volleyball is about to commence. The team will be under the stewardship of Savannah Barnett, previously an assistant coach and a former player with the Tigers. A new era begins, but the expectations are high. The Tigers reset the program’s ambitions when they made the first Elite Eight appearance in program history last season.

“It’s kind of hard. It’s gonna be kind of hard to meet last year’s expectations, because we went so far, did so good,” senior Lanier Glisson said. “We know that, but we are definitely looking to live up to those standards.”

Barnett has brought a new energy to the program now that she is at the helm.

“It was so weird, because you get so many new people in each year,” Asa Hall said. “At one point our volleyball team was so high and then I think it went a little down, and then last year

it definitely went up. It definitely rose the standards for the volleyball program. We hope that we can, with new coaching as well, get it higher.”

“I have higher standards than some other people, so it’s just about getting them to meet those standards,” Barnett said. “But they’re doing pretty good at it, and they seem to enjoy it. They like to have structure and things like that. So I think it’s been good for them so far.”

Last year’s run was historic. The team pushed Central Carrollton to the limits in the state quarterfinals, including taking the first set off the Lions. But now it is time to turn the page.

“We are focused on being the best leaders we can be,” Hall said of her and her fellow seniors. “We want to recruit more girls and get more girls interested in the program so it can continue to grow even after we are gone.”

“It definitely makes us better athletes, learning how to play with all kinds of different people every single year,” senior Maddie Knight added.

There is little doubt that Troup lost four of the most talented players in recent years —- Gracie Horton, Haley Blair, Hailey Clark and Kaitlyn Walker. The quartet graduated in May and left some huge shoes to fill. This year’s group of seniors has helped fill that void.

“It’s nice to have six of them, but It’s also sad that I’m gonna lose them all next season, but it’s nice to have some that kind of have the hang of it already, that can be mentors to the younger girls,” Barnett said.

The six seniors Glisson, Hall, Knight, Caydence Barnes, Destiny Knight and Jamiya Reed have been playing together for at least four years, with some going back six years or more. It’s a bond and relationship that has really blossomed in the last few years on the court and now, the six will be relied on in a big way.

“Pretty much all of us have played together since middle school and we are close on and off the court,” Glisson said. 

The season is on the horizon with the Tigers heading to Starr’s Mill next Tuesday to take on the hosts and Strong Rock in a doubleheader to kickstart the season. There is currently only four home games on the docket this season with the first next Thursday in a doubleheader against Newnan and Northside.

“I’m feeling excited, but also nervous,” Reed said. “It feels like we just started playing here as freshman yesterday and now we are starting our last season.”

The team will have plenty of road trips in which Glisson serves as the team’s DJ, but she insists that anybody can add music to the playlist.

“We’ve been adding music since middle school to it,” Hall said as the six seniors shared a laugh.

“In the bus, that’s usually fun times. We have music and they’re all giggling and having a good time together,” Barnett said. “It’s definitely good for team bonding.”