Babes working hard to make state tournament
By Ross Wood Democrat Sports Editor

The Clarke County High School Babes are preparing for the first game of the volleyball season on Monday, Aug. 27 when they host Ecambia County. In the bottom photo the CCHS JV is ready for their first season.

When the dust settled last season for the Clarke County High School Babe's volleyball team, they had a seventh place finish in the Class 3A state tournament.

The bulk of that team returns for the 2007 season and this year's team wants to return to the tournament and advance even farther.

"These girls work really hard and are fundamentally sound," Coach Athena Hubbert said. "I believe everything will fall into place once the season begins."

The possible starting line for the Babes when they take the court Monday, Aug. 27 could be five of the following returning players: Jessica Johnson, Minetre Martin, Hannah Barnes, Nikki Williams, Jasmine Morris, Celeste Malone, Alex Jones or Schaefer Bradford.

Iyonna Davis and Halie Moore also return and will be asked to play as well.

The Babes, like everyone else in the state, saw their first week or so of practice take place during the middle of a massive heat wave. Most school gyms do not have a lot of wind passing through them, making the heat tremendous.

"The heat disrupted the intensity of practice at times," Hubbert said. "But the girls never complained, they just dug down and pushed through. Hopefully this mentality will continue once the season begins."

Hubbert mentioned several newcomers who are showing a lot of potential for the upcoming season. They are Ericka Williams, Cassandra Denson, Jessica Guy, Brittney Harvell and Nakeisha Coats.

I feel that I am blessed to be able to work with such dedicated girls," Hubbert added. "They definitely keep me motivated by their love of what they are doing."

The Babes open the season at home on Aug. 27 when they host Escambia County. The match is slated to start at 5 p.m.

Babes to start JV team

The junior CCHS Babes are preparing for the upcoming season as Coach Athena Hubbert tries to build for future varsity teams.

"This is our first year having a junior varsity program," Hubbert said.

The members of the team are Faith Vick, Ericka Williams, Cassandra Denson, Halie Moore, Brooke Hayles, Mollie Paul, Morgan Paul, Chelsea Norris, Brooke Nichols, Shannon Shaper, Nicole Mobley, Savannah Mozingo, Kyren Lewis, Amber Clayton and Heather Gates.

"With a little time on the floor the girls have really showed a lot of promise," Hubbert said. "They work hard and do everything I ask. I'm glad we were able to have scheduled games dedicated to a true JV team."

Clarke County High School Babes 2007 Volleyball Schedule

Other Stories With Comments:
Article	Comments
Alston to celebrate 103rd birthday July 6	1
Godbold-Fleming marry in British Virgin Islands	1
Longtime county lawman retiring	1
CCHS releases honor rolls for third nine weeks	1
Bulldogs christen new field with DH sweep	1
Johnny Estis still going strong at 80, repairing broken TVs, other electronics	1
A Christmas present for CCHS students	1
Clarke County Jail bookings detailed	1
Memoriam	1
Marijuana prevalent in county jail bookings	1