Coach Kelley Hopper is constantly saying that her wish for the Lady Wildcat Volleyball team each season is to have a long season.
For Walnut this year, the Lady Cats have the longest season in the state as they will play the last game in the Mississippi on Friday at Mississippi College for the 2A state title, set for 2 pm in Clinton.
The long and winding road, which in truth has been several years in the making, has seen this senior laden squad claim a District Title, a Tippah County Title, the North Half Crown and all that stands in their way is a final match for all of the marbles against the Lake Lady Hornets who were the runner up in the state last year, falling in 3 sets to Ingomar.
Walnut brings a 35-3 record into the contest while their opponent is 27-8 on the year.
Walnut claimed the North Half title with a standard outcome: a home win. The Lady Cats haven’t lost at home in over two years and lost just a single set at home all season. They dispatched Hatley in straight sets 25-11, 25-13, 25-10 on Monday. The high flying Lady Wildcat offense was led by Molly-Kate Rolison with 11 kills. Vivian Brown, the engine the powers the potent offense, notched 21 assists. The outcome was really never in doubt.
On the season, the trio of Walnut hitters in Rolison, Kaylee Estes and Henlee Sisco have contributed over 900 of the nearly 1200 kills the team has hammered down. Brown has assisted on nearly 800 of those with Josie Meeks adding another 111. The Lady Wildcat passing game keeps the offense flowing with Robbins (492), Rolison (225) and Allie Jackson (206) combining for over 900 service receptions.
The Walnut defense has helped balance out their attacking ways, led by Preslee Robbins with 376 digs. Estes leads with 89 blocks while Maddie Wilburn and Mary Reese Pitney have contributed a combined 97.
Walnut has all of the pieces in place this year: the leadership and players with the ability to bring home the state title to Tippah County for the 2nd time in the last six seasons.
A fitting end for a long season and a long journey.
