WEST POINT — New Hope volleyball came into district play with a sub-.500 record, 7-9 overall, but in a week’s time, that turned into a 10-9 record with a red hot 3-0 start in district.
The Trojans capped off that resurgence on Thursday night with a straight-set win over West Point on the road, a dominant performance that saw New Hope allow just 12 points overall, 25-5, 25-3, 25-4.
“Our schedule is pretty tough,” New Hope head coach Allison Woolbright said. “I made our schedule so that it would prepare us for district and as far as the competitiveness of non-district teams, they’ve been good for us in helping us prepare for district. … We don’t really have many easy teams on our schedule.”
Thursday night was an opportunity to empty the bench, giving quality time to players outside the starting lineup who have already contributed significant minutes this season.
Along with strong performances from players like Annie Woolbright and Megan Neeb, other players, like sophomore Aubrie Forrester and senior Ky’asia Topps, proved to be important pieces against the Green Wave.
The influx of new faces seems to have finally clicked with returning players from last season’s squad.
“I think we had a rocky start especially after losing several of our starters, but we’ve been trying different rotations, different positions for each person and I think we’ve finally got it down,” Neeb said.
While New Hope has enjoyed recent success, West Point has struggled throughout the season, falling to 0-8 on the season and 0-2 in district play.
The Green Wave had moments of success, though brief, putting together long rallies, but New Hope proved to be too much.
“I think we are progressing, progressing each day,” West Point coach Taylor Lairy said. “Every match, we’re taking it and giving it our all. … We’re going to keep progressing. We’re going to keep moving forward.”
There’s still time before season’s end to right the ship, and for the program, the only way is up.
The same can be said for New Hope, with two matches in two days, starting Monday when it hosts Starkville.
A favorable next five matches, including the likes of Pontotoc, Lafayette and a rematch with the Green Wave, could see the Trojans rattle off eight-straight match wins.
“We still have work to do, but we are improving in the right direction,” Woolbright said.
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