By Mark Rico
Focus Sports Editor
A season ago as Greenbrier began summer workouts, enthusiasm was high but oftentimes Lady Panthers players had no idea how to react to a brand new coach after thriving in three years under veteran coach Wes Davis.
Katie Huff had just been hired a few months before and without the benefit of a full coaching staff or spring practice, summer 2019 was almost like a training camp as she installed her offensive and defensive philosophies heading into her first season.
The adjustment didn’t take as long as expected and as a result, the Lady Panthers finished as co-champions in their conference with a talented senior laden cast that lost in a five set thriller to Paragould in the opening round of the state tournament.
Four current seniors (Zoie Lee, Marlee Vanover, Madison Fett and Sydney Dunlap) who saw significant time last season will be counted on to lead the charge in a season that will be played under the cloud of a pandemic.
But after Covid-19 shut the country down for four solid months (especially sports) back in Mid-March, it was a completely different atmosphere when summer workouts officially began in mid-July for the Lady Panthers.
“We have been in the gym since restrictions were lifted by the AAA.” Huff said. “In the first phase we did a lot of ball handling and conditioning along with position specific work. The past few weeks of being able to scrimmage have been a lot of fun for us coaches as well as the players. We had been waiting so long for them to come out and give us the go ahead for normal practice. So when they did we were excited to play.”
In reality, Greenbrier had only weeks of preseason practice leading up to its August 24 opener against Conway as the teams battled in a charity game in Conway.
Not only will the Lady Panthers be competing in one of the toughest conferences in the state, but Huff has added several notable non-conferences games that will test her prepare her squad for post-season play.
Clashes with Benton, Little Rock Christian, Bryant, Fort Smith Southside and Har-Bar are on the schedule.
“Our schedule is going to be really tough so I am looking forward to seeing how we come out.” Huff said. “We are going to be very young this year but we are looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish. We have a great group of kids that have worked so hard this summer in preparation for the season.”
TEAM AT A GLANCE:
Greenbrier Lady Panthers
Head Coach: Katie Huff (2nd season)
Last Year’s Record: (22-7-2, 13-1 5-A Central)
Last Year’s Finish: Lost to Paragould 3-2 in state quarterfinals)
Key Departures: Haleigh Moss, Kenley Mobley, Grace House, Brae Denton, Cassidy Lear, Presley Cullum, Lillee Mahan, Kyndal Johnson, Faith Hill
Key Returners: Zoie Lee (Setter, Senior), Marlee Vanover (OH, Junior), Madison Fett (DS, Senior) Sydney Dunlap (L/DS, Junior), Bayli Burrow (OH/OP, Senior)
Faulkner County Focus Sports 