Aucilla Christian volleyball building consistency with new-look roster, sweep Community Leadership Academy
Aucilla Christian won its first district title since 2018 last season, but with five key players from that team graduating, the Warriors have learned how to adapt to a new-look roster.
With eight new players on the roster, the Warriors seemingly haven't lost a step, posting a 10-5 record, picking up its 10th win of the season with a 3-0 (25-17, 25-10, 25-19) sweep of Community Leadership Academy on Thursday Night.
Warriors head coach James Burkett said his squad has bonded quickly and the team its starting to gain some momentum, winning four of the last five matches.
"We've come a long way," Burkett said. "We have a lot of new girls and are just building a team together, some of them have never played together before. I think now we're getting momentum, we're bonding together and learning each other's weaknesses and strengths."
One of the strengths of Burkett's squad is the ability to meet opponent hitters at the net and pick up a block. The Warriors have recorded 79 total blocks this season, 21 over the national average, with senior Lauchlin Faglie leading Aucilla Christian with 35 total blocks.
The Warriors work as a unit on the court, something that helps the growing bond between the players. Burkett feels the energy on the court helps his players feed off each other's momentum.
"It just comes from their hustle and just being energized and getting to know each other more," Burkett said about the team's energy. "They are just happy to play with each other."
Staying consistent
There is a high expectation for the Warriors following last season's district title and regional championship appearance, and one of the things that Burkett wants his squad to do is remain consistent at they chase a second straight district title. He feels the program has a chance to win again if they continue to clean up little mistakes.
"It is going to take hard work, and really just fixing the small mistakes that we keep making," Burkett said. "If we take care of the minor mistakes, we just need slight changes."
One of the players leading the charge for the Warriors is outside hitter RoseLyn McLeod. The junior leads Aucilla Christian in kills (118), aces (44) and is second in digs with 141.
McLeod, like her coach, feels that the team just needs to remain consistent in the approach to the games for them to keep on winning. The junior feels the team is one big family, something that has helped the squad battle in tight games.
"One hundred percent it is all about consistency for us," McLeod said. "We're all very close and it's like a big family. When one person gets down, we just go and lift each other up."
A return to the court
McLeod wasn't a part of last season's district championship win for Aucilla Christian as the junior spent the last two years away from the volleyball court. While her transition back to the court has started well, McLeod still feels like she is finding her footing.
"I took two years off, so it's just about getting back into it for me," McLeod said about the adjustment to getting back onto the court. "The hardest part honestly is probably moving my feet well, that's a big part."
Despite only playing 15 games, McLeod has been one of the most dominant players for the Warriors this season. One of the things that McLeod said she missed the most about playing volleyball was the connection she has with her teammates.
"Having a team again, it's amazing," McLeod said. "It's like having an even bigger family, it's great."
Scores around the Big Bend
Chiles 3, Lincoln 1
Leon 3, Lowndes 0 (25-18, 25-11, 25-12)
St. John Paul II 3, Munroe 1 (24-26, 25-12, 25-8, 25-7)
Liam Rooney covers preps sports for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Aucilla Christian volleyball beat Community Leadership Academy
