From Herald staff reports

As district play begins for volleyball teams throughout the Killeen-Fort Hood area, the Killeen Daily Herald takes a look at how the teams have done so far, which players have stood out, key games to watch out for and each team's prospects of claiming one of those coveted playoff spots.

Copperas Cove (20-6, 0-1 12-5A)

So far: The Lady Dawgs have shown during their non-district schedule that they have what it takes to make the postseason and compete for the District 12-5A title. Adversity set in four weeks ago and Cove has been up and down since.

Player to watch: Cove has struggled while Michelle Blount recovers from a knee injury, but senior Phyllicia Cross has contributed everywhere in the last few weeks. Cross is one of Cove's numerous hitters, but is also near the team lead in digs and aces.

Key games: Sept. 22 at Belton, Oct. 6 at A&M Consolidated, Oct. 9 against Bryan.

Outlook: Cove started the year 15-0 and was ranked in the Texas Girls Coaches Association Class 5A poll, but an up-and-down few weeks followed. Still, Cove should contend for a playoff spot as well as the 12-5A title if it can regain the swagger it had to start the year.

Ellison (6-15, 1-0 12-5A)

So far: The Lady Eagles started out really slow, but have since rebounded to win four straight matches.

Player to watch: Senior middle blocker Desiree Wylie, who can play anywhere on the court and be effective.

Key games: Bryan, Copperas Cove and Belton (Sept. 22-29 and Oct. 16-23).

Look ahead: In her second season as Lady Eagles head coach, Cari Nanna believes the team has formed a better bond; one she hopes can propel them into the playoffs.

"We have created a team that meshes well and they can see that potential to make the playoffs this year," Nanna said.

Led by a good mix of youth and experience, the Lady Eagles believe they have what it takes to make that leap.

Harker Heights (7-10, 0-1 12-5A)

So far: Harker Heights has shown to be a formidable opponent that has made great strides since last season.

Player to watch: Senior Katie Garrard.

Key Games: Temple (Sept. 22) and Belton (Sept. 25).

Look ahead: Having hovered around the bottom of the district standings for the last several years, the Lady Knights believe things are quickly turning around under first-year head coach Chris Wiley. Already finding success at home, winners of three out of four matches inside of Knights Gym, the Lady Knights hope that trend will carry over into district play.

"We're just shooting to get over the hump after a three-year break from the playoffs," said Wiley. "And if we can do that, it'll be because we've elevated our game to that next level."

Killeen (10-12)

So far: The Lady Roos opened the season with four straight wins and a tournament trophy but have lost eight of their last nine and have just two preseason games to dig themselves out of the slump before opening District 25-4A on Sept. 25 at Pflugerville Hendrickson.

Players to watch: Carle Foster and Ericka Gutherie, both outside hitters who coach Shelly Jones said need to be counted on to attack when the ball is in the air.

Key games: Marble Falls (Oct. 2 and Oct. 20) and Lampasas (Oct. 9 and Oct. 27).

Look ahead: Killeen lost to Marble Falls in a playoff play-in match last year to reach the postseason and swept Lampasas. Jones said the Lady Roos have to beat both again this year if they want to advance but they need a win of any kind before then to get rolling again.

"Passing is always something we need to work on," Jones said. "If we get the ball up, then we have to be able to attack. We have the skills, we have the talent but we have to come out and play like a team."

Shoemaker (3-18, 0-1 12-5A)

So far: Second-year coach Stacey Halim said Shoemaker's greatest advisary has been itself with inconsistent spurts killed by untimely hitting errors.

Key games: Ellison (Oct. 6) and Harker Heights (Oct. 8).

Key players: Middle hitters Jahyda Reed and Ebonie Davis need to stay mentally tough through games and libero Ashley McCune, though playing well now, needs to remain consistent.

Look ahead: The Lady Wolves were swept by rival Ellison in Friday's district-opener and wins the rest of the season might be hard to come by but Halim said if her Lady Grey Wolves can put together more and longer rallies, they can be competitive. They'll have to beat some heavy-hitters to get into the playoffs, but even two district wins is an improvement on last year's 1-13 District 12-5A campaign.

"We're not making it very difficult for other teams to beat us right now," Halim said. "We're staying up longer, but it's still not long enough."

Florence (4-16, 0-2 25-2A)

So far: Losing four key seniors has proven tough as the Lady Buffaloes have struggled to find a rhythm.

Players to watch: Kasey Button is really standing out as an all-around player, while Jessica Wiseman is hitting well and Jaime Burrow is blocking more consistently and starting to really put the ball down.

Key games: If Florence is going to make any kind of bid for a playoff spot, it has to start winning at home.

Outlook: The Lady Buffaloes have had a slow start, but could rebound in district. "We are playing really close games but can't get over the hump and pull out a win," said Florence coach Sarah Willman. "I feel like we keep getting stronger and will come together to win some district games."

Gatesville (14-12)

So far: Don't look at Gatesville's overall record and think the Hornets are just average. The Hornets loaded up on Class 5A and 4A opponents, especially in tournament play. Gatesville played in the prestigious Round Rock Westwood Varsity Showcase, finished second to Copperas Cove in its own tournament and beat four 4A and 5A schools at the Belton invitational.

Players to watch: The obvious choice here is sophomore Glynna Johnson, a 6-foot-3 middle blocker, but the not-so-obvious choicees are setter Kaitlin Poe and Skye Truss, who replaced District 7-3A MVP Kelsey Phillips.

Key games: Sept. 25 and Oct. 13 against China Spring (Gatesville and China Spring were 7-3A co-champs last year, but the Hornets lost the one-game playoff to determine the seeding and first-round bye)

Outlook: Gatesville is 9-2 at home and can play against top competition, but must rebound from a lackluster showing last week against Temple where the Hornets were swept.

Lampasas (8-11)

So far: Like the Lady Roos, the Lady Badgers opened hot (3-0) but cooled with four straight losses and an up-and-down preseason after that

Key games: Marble Falls (Oct. 6 and Oct. 23) and Killeen (Oct. 9 and Oct. 27)

Player to watch: senior Sarah Bishop, whom first-year coach Beth Rutland said "When Sarah's on, when things are working with her, it's working everywhere else, too."

Look ahead: After an 0-10 District 25-4A season last year, the Lady Badgers could still make the playoffs this season with key wins over Killeen and Marble Falls, which finished tied with each other for the fourth playoff berth with just three district wins. Rutland said every district game is important, beginning with Lampasas' opener against Hutto on Sept. 25. Rutland added the team needs consistency, a short memory to move on after mistakes and Bishop.

"All of (the District 25-4A games) are big for us because we went 0-10 in district last year but I feel like that is going to change this year."

Salado (20-4, 1-0 25-2A)

So far: Salado has cruised against most of its competition and again looks to be the district favorite.

Players to watch: Sophomores Kaitlin Matson and Carling Urben

Key games: Rogers and Lago Vista (Sept. 18, 22 and Oct. 13, 16)

Outlook: Earning its first-ever postseason trip to the Class 2A region championship last season, the Lady Eagles are eager to return, this year as District 25-2A champions. After making the postseason two years ago, and then being named co-champions last year, Salado coach Bree Holz-Gonzales said the team wants the title all to itself.

"Obviously, the goal is to win district," Holz-Gonzales said. "... This year we want to win it outright and sit up there all by ourselves."

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