Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009

Reeves keys West Brunswick volleyball's big turnaround

Accepting the head volleyball coaching position in 2003, West Brunswick (N.C.) coach Leslie Reeves had the blueprint for what it would take to build a solid program. Laying the foundation, Reeves spent her first four years trading wins for losses while trying to preach to her players the correlation between hard work and success.

Now, seven years into her stay, a steady structured program now resides on the Trojans campus in Shallotte, N.C. Despite the program's early struggles, Reeves has compiled a 56-9 record her last three seasons, recording her 100th career victory in September.

At 18-2, Reeves' 2009 senior-laden squad has a chance to be her best yet.

"A lot of the credit dates back to the time the girls put in during the summer," said Reeves, whose Trojans are motivated to avenge season-ending losses the past two years to perennial power D.A. Conley in the North Carolina state playoffs. "They busted their butts and wanted to get better."

Coupled with a brutal jump-serving attack that has recorded over 200 aces, West Brunswick seniors Carly White, (263 kills, 116 blocks) Keri Nolan (216 kills) and Breana Gause (116 kills, 75 blocks) provide a triple threat at the front of the net.

"We set goals every season - team goals, personal goals and life goals," White said. "As far as the team goals, we want to make it past D.A. Conley this year."

White's play has grabbed the attention of collegiate programs in her home state, although there are no written scholarship offers on the table. Reeves noted that UNC Wilmington coaches have attended matches this season and White claims to be in contact with North Carolina State as well.

"I had a late start talking with schools about playing in college," White said. "I have talked with N.C. State about walking on and trying to earn a scholarship."

For the Trojans, the road to a successful season has not been a complete joyride.

Reeves thought she was going to have to fill a huge void when setter Kenzie McDuffie tore her anterior cruciate ligament in her knee during the spring soccer season. Bound to return for the beginning of volleyball season, McDuffie accelerated the rehabilitation process and was ready to take the court in just eight weeks after surgery.

"Having her healthy and ready to play was a huge question mark coming into the season," said Reeves of McDuffie, who has committed just nine errors on nearly 500 sets this season. "All of our offense runs through her. She is one of those players that can set the ball anywhere, anytime for our hitters to attack the net."

A statewide conference realignment has also caused its fair share of problems for the Class 3A Trojans. Competing in a 3A-4A conference in years past, West Brunswick is now a member of the smaller Waccamaw 2A-3A Conference.

Although the Trojans' schedule includes a majority of 3A and 4A opponents, West Brunswick has looked sluggish at times against league foes in 2009.

"We have done a poor job of getting motivated to compete in matches at different times throughout the season," said Reeves, whose team's only loss is to conference rival South Brunswick. "If we want to secure the top spot in the playoffs, we can't allow that to happen anymore.'

With four conference matches and a road trip to Hoggard still remaining on the schedule, the Trojans can't get caught looking ahead.

"I think it was a good thing we have a loss," McDuffie said. "It came at a good time. We were able to come back and beat them later in the season in three games. We can use that [loss] as motivation for the rest of the season."