Prep Volleyball: Cox has great expectations for Bulldogs
Last Year's Record: 18-17
Postseason: Lost to Murphysboro in regional
Coach: Heather Cox
Key Losses: Lilee Robinson and Hannah Bartok
Top Returners: Bryleigh Buchanan, Matty Hawkins, Jessica Schwartz and Devin Butler
Strengths: Athleticism - "It's not very often a volleyball team, in a school like Harrisburg, has a girl that is 6-foot tall. We have two of them," Cox said, referring to Bryleigh Buchanan and Matty Hawkins. "We also have some girls that have a 24-inch vertical jump and some girls that have been with me since sixth grade that are just strong leaders on the court and most importantly, off the court. I just have some good kids and good kids can be coached and do well.
Weakness: The culture - Cox said getting the girls to buy into a winning mentality has been the biggest obstacle she has had to overcome. "A lot has changed since Dana (Brewer) left," Cox said. "It's been hard to get them to buy into 'we can be good' and most important be good consistently."
Cox also noted how defense - which is never the funnest part of the game, nor does it get the glory - has to improve. "We struggle a lot with reading the hitter from the other team, so defense has been priority No. 1 for us here in the early going."
Biggest Improvement From Last Year: Attitude -"The attitude wasn't bad last year," Cox said. "I just think the kids have a little more confidence after they saw we came out of the season with more wins than losses for the first time in a long time. I think it's improved their attitude towards what they can do."
What Does It Take To Have A Successful Season: Cox said each kid has to step up and take claim for what they can do. "We get really worried about what everyone else is doing, instead of worrying about ourself and our job," Cox said.
Outlook: "The expectations are huge," Cox said. "I expect to win the conference, to lose very few games and make a nice run in the postseason. This is a group, that I consider in my time here, the most athletic group. We just have to get all the pieces of the puzzle to align.
-Compiled by Michael Dann
Harrisburg Volleyball Schedule
<p>Date Opponent Time<br />Aug. 27 at Herrin 9 AM<br />Aug. 30 ELDORADO 5:30 PM<br />Sept. 6 MARION 5:30 PM<br />Sept. 8 BENTON 5:30 PM<br />Sept. 10 at Mascoutah 9 AM<br />Sept. 13 at West Frankfort 5:30 PM<br />Sept. 14 at NCOE 6 PM<br />Sept. 15 MASSAC CO. 5:30 PM<br />Sept. 19 CARBONDALE 5:30 PM<br />Sept. 20 at Benton 5:30 PM<br />Sept. 22 at Murphysboro 5:30 PM<br />Sept. 24 at Herrin 9 a.m.<br />Sept. 27 HERRIN 5:30 PM<br />Sept. 29 WEST FRANKFORT 5:30 PM<br />Oct. 4 at Massac Co. 5:30 PM<br />Oct. 8 at Marion 9 AM<br />Oct. 11 MURPHYSBORO 5:30 PM<br />Oct. 13 at Herrin 5:30 PM<br />Oct. 19 GALATIA 5:30 PM<br /><br /></p>