Lincoln volleyball capitalizing on strong senior class, sweeps Pensacola Catholic in season opener

The vibe around Lincoln volleyball has changed.

The Trojans combined for 15 wins in two seasons from 2020 to 2021, but an 18 win season in 2023 has the program clicking and the expectations rising.

Led by a senior class including outside hitter Allison Tawney, setter Ashlyn Koerner, libero Lauern Taylor Lozano, middle blocker Nia Sampson and middle blocker Sydney Carroll, Lincoln has changed its program culture and could be in for a program-best season. The group shares a family bond that has helped spark this turnaround.

"Always leading our teammates, and keeping it a family culture," Koerner said about the senior dynamic. "The five seniors, we're all best friends, we go to each other for anything that we need, and having that culture is really a big thing."

The family bond was on display Tuesday night as the Trojans swept Pensacola Catholic, 3-0 (25-10, 25-13, 25-16).

Last season the Crusaders swept Lincoln, but this year the result flipped, and Koerner helped lead the way. The senior was flying around the court, recording blocks and kills to help lead the Trojans to an opening night victory.

She feels that the energy the team brings into every practice and game can translate to success.

"We said that if we're ever in a rut and we need to get out of it, just keep the same energy," Koerner said. "That's what we feed off as a team, and keeping that consistent will help us just keep going."

Capitalizing on program momentum

Last season's 18-9 record was the Trojan's best season since 2017, finishing 20-9, and the program is motivated to capitalize on last season's successes.

"After last year, we had our best finish in a while and I think that's motivating us to finish and go even further," Koerner said. "It's just driving us, and we want to do better and just succeed as a team before we aren't playing together anymore."

Trojan head coach Taylor Zornes said this is the first time in years that Lincoln has had a team led by seniors, and she believes it's given the rest of the team something to look up to.

"This is the first time in four years that we've had a senior lead team," Zornes said. "To see them, my seniors come out and take charge, and then everybody else follows suit and see that consistency, it was nice."

The development of the senior squad traces back to their early years, and Zornes hopes the current youth on the team can follow a similar path.

Zornes feels that the dynamic the senior group has helps the entire team stay motivated.

"I think what's cool about this group is they just love each other and they love the game and they've built a foundation since their freshman and sophomore years," said Zornes. "I just feel like we're playing off of that and building off of that."

Playing strong defense

The Trojans frustrated the Crusaders at the net all night, blocking, tipping and frustrating the attack of Pensacola Catholic.

Keeping Pensacola Catholic from hitting the 20-point mark in each set, the Trojans kept a typically high-scoring team quiet, Zornes said defense is something Lincoln focuses on heavily in practice.

"Defense is really key for us," Zornes said. "It's something we work on a lot, obviously the attacks to the back row and digging are important, but it starts with a block and just making sure our bodies are in the right position."

Zornes wants to keep the Trojans defensive intensity all season and she wants her team to just stay focused on taking things one game at a time all year. With a tight-knit group, Zornes knows her team will come with the same energy each game.

"We'd love to see things happen in the postseason," Zornes said. "I think they just step on the court every time ready to go and enjoy each other's company, enjoying competing with one another and feeding off of that love, that support, that energy that we have."

Lincoln improves to 1-0 on the year and will travel to Wakulla on Thursday. It then prepares for a loaded week two, traveling to area-power Chiles on Tuesday and then to defending 1A state champion Liberty County on August 31.

Tuesday night volleyball scores

Lincoln 3 (25-10, 25-13, 25-16), Pensacola Catholic 0.

Maclay 3 (25-6, 25-7, 25-7), Munroe 0. Leaders - Kills: Journey Kramer (5), Digs: Katelyn Eldred (3), Blocks: Journey Kramer (1), Assists: Landri Ross (11), Aces: Landri Ross (12).

Wakulla 3 (25-18, 25-10, 25-11), St. John Paul II 0.

Aucilla Christian 3 (25-11, 25-11, 25-13), FAMU DRS 0.

Godby 3 (25-18, 25-13, 25-22), Rickards 1 (25-18).

Chiles 3 (25-12, 25-8, 25-6), Sneads 0. Leaders - Kills: Lindsay Smith (11), Digs: Natalie Gibson (10), Blocks: Lindsay Smith (4) and Kate Stewart (4), Assists: Natalie Gibson (24), Aces: Aubrey Justin (2).

North Florida Christian 3 (25-17, 25-21, 25-23), Thomasville 0.

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: Lincoln volleyball sweeps Pensacola Catholic to open season