Mansfield Lady Lions’ volleyball keeps getting better and better

The Mansfield volleyball team is entering its fourth season since returning to the Lady Lions’ court. If recent history continues to prove true, the 2024 fall season should be a special one.
The program improved by three wins in each of the first three seasons and ended last year with a 12-18-2 record and a first round postseason victory.
“This season we look to do the same and more,” said Mansfield head coach Emily Smith.
Mansfield’s senior class is expected to lead the Lady Lions closer to the .500 mark this season.
Haven Tripp returns after a season with 149 kills and 160 digs. She will be joined by Elly Williams and her 107 kills and 101 digs.
Both players also combined for more than 100 aces a season ago.
Cali Lemons will also return and is expected to make an impact playing above the net. She battled a back injury last fall and still had 88 kills.
Finally, Laikyn Ball and her 97 kills and 162 digs is also returning to the Lady Lions.
Junior Miley Box and her 81 digs is a key defensive returner for Mansfield.
Along with the seniors, other players looking to make a difference on the court include senior Cadence Best, junior Chloe Scofield, sophomore Shila Dots and freshmen Rylee Dixon, Kayley Kingery, Addie Brooke, Devynn Ball and Kendall Sanders.
“Our biggest strength this year is our athlete’s ability to play multiple positions,” Coach Smith said. “We don’t have very many athletes that are locked into just one role or position. We have the ability to be fluid on the floor and play at a high level.”
Coach Smith noted a key to her team’s success this year will be cutting down on unforced errors and staying constant in their communication.
“Overall, we just want to compete,” she said. “We want to play at a high level and flourish. We want to return to some championship matches this fall in tournaments along with making a run for a postseason title…I am proud of all my athletes, for the work they put in, and their willingness to show up every day for each other and myself. We believe in unity and togetherness and watching this team band together at times this summer makes me really excited for what’s to come.”
Mansfield opened their season by hosting a Jamboree on Aug. 27. Their first home match is on Thursday, Aug. 27 against Gainesville at 7 p.m.