MORRISTOWN, TN – Coming off their best finish at the NJCAA DII Tournament in program history, No. 13 Walters State will look to keep that momentum going as they open the 2024 season. 

The Lady Senators will start the season on Tuesday, when they travel to take on No. 8 Richard Bland and Patrick & Henry Community College. 

The No. 13 ranking for Walters State is their highest ranking since the 2020-2021 season. 

"Preseason has gone really well," Walters State coach Megan Blaylock said about her team. "We hit the ground running on August 1st and just competed in our last scrimmage on Friday. We've made notable improvements the last couple of weeks, despite the very short amount of time we're allowed for preseason."

Last season, the Lady Senators went 27-9, won the TCCAA/Region VII Championship, won the NJCAA Southeast District B Championship and won two matches in the NJCAA DII Tournament. 

For Blaylock, she sees this team having the capability to make it back to the national tournament but knows it's going to take a lot of hard work to get there. 

"I think if we stay focused on the big picture, we'll be in a good position to compete for another national tournament bid," Blaylock said. "We have to walk before we can run - so we are focusing on gradual progression throughout the season."

As far as returning players go from last year's team, Alyssa Campbell leads the charge. Campbell was the TCCAA Player of the Year as a freshman, totalling 251 kills in 36 matches and serving 35 aces. 

"Her playing experience and calm demeanor will be critical for the continued development of our offense," Blaylock said. 

Another returning player for Walters State is Lauren Mims. Mims had 253 kills last season and 373 digs. 

"We will rely on Lauren's consistency this year," Blaylock said. "Our girls and coaches have a lot of trust in her ability to lead on and off the court. She has been tasked with occasionally playing a new position during preseason and has accepted that challenge and executed without complaint."

Two other sophomores returning for Blaylock that started at times last season are Catherine Sweeney and Olivia Brown. Brown, a setter for Walters State, had 562 assists and 201 digs last season. Meanwhile, Sweeney had 179 kills for the Lady Senators as a middle blocker. 

"Catherine will also be instrumental in helping prepare the freshmen for national level play," Blaylock said. "We have been experimenting with Cat as a pin hitter and she's really embraced the new challenge. 

"Olivia Brown will be key to our success. All four of these returners started at the National Tournament and understand what is necessary for us to return. We will rely on Olivia to run our offense and help guide our freshmen setters as they adapt to our offensive systems." 

Other sophomores include Eden Aiken, Finley Surber and Sydney Bjornstad. Surber had 96 kills in 2023. 

Blaylock also boasts a large freshman class. That class includes Mykanna McMahon, Rylee Haynie, Payton Brown, Ava Morgan, Emma Miller, Veda Barton and Annah Cate Hyatt.

"I anticipate all of our freshmen seeing the floor in some capacity," Blaylock said. "We have a highly versatile freshmen group. Rylee Haynie and Veda Barton can swing on all three front row positions. Emma Miller and AC Hyatt are setters with the capability to play right side. Payton Brown, Mykanna McMahon, and Ava Morgan are all solid defensive players with the ability to play left and middle back. I'm very excited about this group."

The schedule is a tough one for Walters State and features just eight home matches. The Lady Senators will play in tournaments at No. 12 Wallace State and Snead State and will play a handful of tri-matches on the road, including the one to open the season against No. 8 Richard Bland. The home slate includes Campbellsville University JV, Bryan College JV, Southwest Virginia, Roane State, Cleveland State, Cleveland Community College, Pellissippi State and Chattanooga State. 

"We need strong competition outside of conference play, as well as the strong competition we'll see in conference play, to show us the level we need to be playing at to be successful at the national level," Blaylock said. "We open the regular season against the 2022 NJCAA National Champions. We aren't afraid of a competitive schedule, and we aren't focused on overall records. We need to play against the best to highlight the areas we need to improve on the most." 

In terms of goals, Walters State is looking to win the Region VII Championship for the third straight season and go from there. 

"Our primary goal is to win our Region again this year, while keeping everyone healthy in the process," Blaylock said. "The ultimate goal is another bid to the national tournament." 

Tuesday's match at No. 8 Richard Bland is set for 1 p.m. The Lady Senators will then take on Patrick & Henry at 3 p.m. 

Walters State's first home matches will be on Thursday, September 5. The Lady Senators will play Campbellsville University JV at 2 p.m. and Bryan College JV at 6 p.m.