The Opp Lady Bobcats put together a strong volleyball season and made it to the South Regionals before being eliminated.

“I was so proud and impressed with these girls this year,” Opp head coach Bridgett Brantley said. “I never had to motivate them once this year. They just want to get better and they have worked so hard to do that.”

Brantley said she is excited about the future of the Bobcat volleyball program.

“The future here is really bright,” Brantley said. “Most of our big hitters and blockers were underclassman this year. Addie Jacobs was a freshman that I pulled up from junior varsity this year and she has become one of our best hitters and blockers. She is one of the most coachable players that I’ve ever had. From what the middle school is sending me and the girls I have here, the future of Lady Bobcat volleyball is very bright.”

Brantley said that the Lady Bobcats will look to make it to state next year.

“Our goal going into this year was to make the state tournament,” Brantley said. “That’s something that has never been done in history of this program. We didn’t make it this year, but we got to regionals which is one step closer. We are going to continue to improve and next year we will look to make another run at the state tournament.”

This year, Brantley said that the improvements she saw left her amazed.

“These girls are incredible,” Brantley said. “They worked so hard this summer to improve, and I think the biggest improvement has been our hitting. In the past, we have been good at defense and serving, but we lacked any strong hitters. This year, several girls have stepped up and have turned into amazing hitters.  I would say that our hitting numbers were tripled from last year.”

Brantley said that she expects those improvements to continue.

“Every year we have gradually gotten better,” Brantley said. “It has everything to do with the way they handle themselves. They are motivated to improve and I never have to say anything to them about improving.”