Kentucky School for the Deaf’s volleyball team started practice two weeks ago.

Over the weekend, the team hosted a huge early-season tournament, from schools across the eastern half of the United States.

Coach Billy Lange said that the first-annual “Volleyball Spike-Out” will be a good way for his team to get that early-season practice that his team missed over the offseason.

“Our team did not have any summer camp or practice before the school opens like other schools across the state usually had their early practices (starting) July 15,” Lange said in an email. “So I decided to have the Pre-Season Classic to give us more games to play to improve our fundamentals in a short time. Other Deaf schools feel the same.”

KSD’s first game of the season was last Tuesday against Burgin.

“So far they are doing pretty well but we need more time to perfect our fundamentals,” Lange said. “We only had 5 days of practice before we played the first game last Tuesday against Burgin.”

KSD was joined in its tournament by schools from Kansas, Michigan, Virginia, Marie Philip (Mass.), Atlanta Area, Georgia and Tennessee.

“I hope things will go smoothly according to the schedule,” Lange said. “I am afraid that the games might be longer than the schedule anticipated.”

Danville will donate its gym to the tournament, and Lange said the Admirals have helped him with volleyball tournaments in the past.

“Yes,  I have used Danville’s Gym few years ago when we hosted the 28th Mason-Dixon Volleyball tournament. We have a great relationship with Danville. We work together very well.

KSD placed third at the event, with Kansas taking first place.

 

KSD roster

 

Keaura Davis               Sr.

Abrianna Norris          Sr.

Zhirtien Warmack       Sr.

Jenna Pratt                 Jr.

Aleandra Shupe          Jr.

Sulmi Gomez               Jr.

Plah Meh                    So.

Joanna New               So.

Layne Akins               So.

Mikeyla Crumble          Fr.

Tia Moors                    Fr.

Haylie Kircher               Fr.

Cylee Barfield               8th