For the past four or five years, now-former Athletic Director at Hughesville, Ken Tallman, had been working to get a Girls’ Volleyball program started at Hughesville High School. With the enthusiastic pleas and plans from would-be coaches, teachers, Brandi Liddic and Molly Fuller, the support of Superintendent Mark Stamm and the approval of the school board, the program has become a reality. Nearly 30 girls, ninth through twelfth grade, have participated in the inaugural season this Fall. Liddic, who teaches STEM, settled in as Head Coach for the Girls’ Volleyball Team, and Fuller, a Math teacher, serves as Assistant Coach. “Our season is wrapping up on October 16, and the girls have done so great, much better than anyone expected them to, in their first year,” Liddic said. “They’ve won five of their 10 games so far!” Teams use the rally method of scoring, and 25 points wins a match.

Asked about main qualities or skills that make a good volleyball player, Liddic said, “The ability and desire to keep going, to not give up, to just stay at it! Communication is also key. They need to keep talking to each other while they’re playing; that’s so important.” And it helps to be quick on your feet.” That communication could be heard bouncing around the Ashkar Elementary gymnasium, where the team practices and plays. The coaches explained that the painting of lines was completed in the high school gym, but when the holes in the gym floor to anchor the nets were to be drilled, it was discovered that a steel beam was directly beneath the spots. No net, so the sport was moved to the elementary school. “It’s been very disappointing for the girls,” Liddic said. “They feel like they’re not really part of the high school sports program.” “We’re hoping this problem will be solved soon, and we’ll be playing in the Spartan gym,” Fuller said. “The girls, despite the let-down, have been really great, encouraging each other, and believing that the administration is working to solve the ‘Net and Beam’ problem.” Whatever happens, the Hughesville Girls’ Volleyball team will be working hard to get ready for its promising next season.