August 12, 2024 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com MiLB MASON BARNETT — Midland RockHounds (3rd-yr. pro; Oakland A’s Double-A affiliate; Texas League; Auburn; Cartersville HS) … suffered a pitching loss in his second start for Midland last Friday after being traded from the Kansas City Royals organization. Barnett was lifted after 4-⅓ innings in an eventual 4-0 home loss to the Frisco RoughRiders. He allowed three runs (only one earned) on six hits and one walk while striking out five. The 23-year-old is now 1-1 with his new team and has a 6-7 record this season at both Midland and Northwest Arkansas. He has made 21 appearances (20 starts) and has 120 strikeouts in 101 innings. The RockHounds (64-44 overall) were 4-2 this past week at home against Frisco and are leading the Texas League South Division in the second half with a 24-15 mark. Midland plays six games this week at the Tulsa Drillers. LOGAN MARTIN — Columbia Fireflies (2nd-yr. pro; Kansas City Royals Single-A affiliate; Carolina League; Kentucky; Cartersville HS) … the righty did not make a pitching appearance last week. He has a 2-3 record and a 4.44 ERA in 19 appearances this season covering 75 innings pitched. The Fireflies (56-48 overall) are 21-18 in the Carolina League’s second half and currently trail Charleston by three games in the South Division. The Fireflies host six games this week with the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. ANTHONY SEIGLER — Somerset Patriots (7th-yr. pro; NY Yankees Double-A affiliate; Eastern League; Cartersville HS) …  started all five games this past week as the Patriots went 1-4 at home against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. Seigler was 2-for-14 at the plate with two walks. He was hit by a pitch, scored three runs, and stole one base in the series. For the season, the second baseman has a .207 batting average with nine homers and 33 RBI in 271 official at-bats. He has 19 stolen bases. The Patriots (53-54 overall) are 21-17 in the Eastern League’s second-half schedule and are currently in fourth place in the Northeast Division. They trail Portland by 4-½ games. Somerset plays six games this week at the Hartford Yard Goats. INDEPENDENT PIONEER LEAGUE BASEBALL KENNY JINKS — Missoula Paddleheads (1st-yr. pro; Independent Pioneer League; Wheeling University; Woodland HS) … was placed on waivers by the Paddleheads on August 5 and cleared irrevocable waivers on August 6. He is now a free agent. GOLF CHRISTINA SURCEY — Florida State University (Fr., Cartersville resident; North Cobb Christian School) … carded rounds of 77 and 84 to miss the cut at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship this past week at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Sixty-four players who shot nine-over or better advanced after 36 holes to the match play bracket. Surcey shot a 2-under-par 70 at The Farm in Dalton back in July to qualify for the national tournament. 17-year-old Duke commit, Rianne Malixi (Philippines), won the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship by 3 and 2 in the finals over 15-year-old Asterisk Talley (California).

August 10, 2024 Local high school softball teams competed on Saturday in five of the games played at Hamilton Crossing Park as part of the 2024 Colonel Back to School Bash. CASS 7, WHITE COUNTY 0 Bailey York pitched a five-inning, complete-game shutout Saturday morning to lead the Cass Lady Colonels to a 7-0 blanking of the White County Warriors at the Colonel Back to School Bash played at Hamilton Crossing Park. York allowed just four hits and two walks. She struck out three. The Lady Colonel offense scored two runs in the first, three in the second, and two more in the third en route to the victory. Molli Morrow had two hits and one RBI for the Cass attack. Braelyn Franklin, Darrianna Sosa, Cayce Brown (two RBI), Sydney Satterfield (RBI), and KK Evans had one hit. York drove in one run. The loss dropped the Lady Warriors to 2-1 on the season. Cass (2-2) returns to action on Tuesday at Southeast Whitfield at 5:30 p.m. The Lady Colonels return home on Wednesday and Thursday for 5:30 p.m. starts against Pepperell and Hiram. ADAIRSVILLE 13, HAMPTON 3 TEMPLE 7, ADAIRSVILLE 1 The Lady Tigers pounded eleven hits Saturday afternoon and rolled up 13 runs to defeat the Hampton Hornets 13-3. Adairsville also took advantage of seven errors committed by Hampton that led to eight unearned runs. Ashlynn Durden had three hits for the Tigers including a triple, a double, and three RBI. Kylee Hollingsworth (RBI) and Ansley Powell (double, RBI) followed with two hits. Rylee Mounger (double, two RBI), Brie Patterson (RBI), Taylor Evans (double, two RBI), and Kylie Perine (double) added one hit. Ashlyn Carlton (3.1 IP, 1ER, 3H, 2BB, 3K) was the winning pitcher in relief of starter Jordan Clay (1.2 IP, 2ER, 3H, 4BB, 2K). Saturday morning the Lady Tigers trailed 6-0 through 2-½ innings and lost to the Temple Tigers, 7-1. Temple outhit Adairsville twelve to one in the contest. Riley Mounger had the only Tiger base hit. Jordan Clay (0.2 IP, 2ER, 3H, 3BB) suffered the pitching loss. Maddie Baggett (2.1 IP, 4R, 3ER, 6H, 1BB, 3K) and Ashlyn Carlton (2 IP, 1ER, 3H, 0BB, 1K) also pitched. NORTHGATE 4, CARTERSVILLE 3 KELL 2, CARTERSVILLE 1 Following a 4-0 start to the 2024 season, the Cartersville Lady Canes softball team dropped a pair of one-run decisions on Saturday. Northgate edged Cartersville 4-3 and Kell escaped with a 2-1 victory. The Vikings took a 3-0 lead through 2-½ innings in Cartersville’s first game of the day. After the Canes cut the lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the third, Northgate added a run in the fourth inning for a 4-1 advantage. Cartersville scored twice in the fifth inning. Zoie Shiflett (5 IP, 4ER, 7H, 2BB, 5K) took the pitching loss for the Hurricanes. Kinsey Woodland (double, RBI) and LaKaiya Banks (RBI) had two hits. Jordan Bishop (double), Kennedy Crenshaw, Reese Dumas (RBI), Ansleigh Tilley, and Shiflett added one hit. In Saturday’s loss to Kell, Pressley Crabbe (6 IP, 2R, 0ER, 9H, 0BB, 6K) was tagged with the pitching loss despite not yielding an earned run. Bishop had the only Cartersville hit and drove in the Canes' only run with a third-inning single that scored Addi Burns. Burns had reached base on a dropped third strike and moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. Kell scored two runs in the top of the fifth inning on a pair of singles and an outfield error. Cartersville (4-2) returns to Region 7-4A action Tuesday at home at 5:30 p.m. against Woodland.

August 9, 2024 The Cartersville Lady Canes trailed Lanier 4-2 through three innings on Friday night before pulling out a 7-6 victory over the Longhorns in a five-inning contest. Pressley Crabbe (2 IP, 2R, 1ER, 1H, 0BB, 2K) picked up the pitching victory for the Hurricanes in relief of starter Kennedy Stevens (3 IP, 4ER, 4H, 3BB, 1K). Cartersville led 1-0 in the top of the first inning on a RBI single by Kinsey Woodard. After the Longhorns tied the score, Zoie Shiflett put the Canes back ahead 2-1 with a solo home run to center field in the top of the third. Lanier grabbed a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the third inning but the Lady Canes posted a run in the fourth on Allana Williams’ triple and an RBI single by Layne Callan. In the fifth inning, Cartersville scored four more times to lead 7-4. Reese Dumas doubled into centerfield to score Shiflett then LaKaiya Banks and Williams followed with RBI singles. The Longhorns managed two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning before Crabbe ended the threat with a strikeout. Callan (two RBI), Williams (triple, RBI), Shiflett (HR, RBI), and Dumas (double, RBI) led the Canes’ offense with two hits. Jordan Bishop (triple), Woodard (RBI), and Banks (RBI) added one hit. The loss dropped Lanier to 2-4 for the season. Seventh-ranked Cartersville (4-0) plays Northgate at 9 a.m. and Kell at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Hamilton Crossing Park as the Colonel Back to School Bash continues.

August 8, 2024 The Adairsville High School volleyball team started the 2024 season at home Thursday night with a split of two matches. The Lady Tigers defeated North Murray in a three-set match but fell in straight sets to Rome. Adairsville dropped the first set with North Murray 22-25 before winning the final two sets 25-18 and 15-13. Senior captain Addie Pearson led the Lady Tigers with five kills and nine assists. She added three blocks and a pair of digs. Alexis Scott had four kills and two blocks. Myka Colston contributed three kills, three digs, and one block. Ansley Mims had three blocks and Alexa Wynn tossed in eight assists. The Tigers lost a hard-fought match with Rome, 20-25 and 21-25. Pearson led Adairsville with six kills and six assists. Scott added five kills in the loss. “it was a great way to start the season,” said Adairsville coach Kaylie Martin. “We pulled out a 2-1 win over North Murray and put up a strong fight against a solid Rome team.” Adairsville (1-1) will face host Pickens and East Jackson on Tuesday in Jasper. WOODLAND VOLLEYBALL DROPS HOME MATCHES The Woodland volleyball team lost matches Thursday night at home to Temple and East Paulding in straight sets. Temple won 25-18 and 25-11. East Paulding won 25-17 and 25-19. Lady Cats’ coach Caroline Gore credited Rylei Morris as the team’s leading defensive specialist on the night while Bella King led the team in service aces. Woodland (0-5) hosts Chattooga and Villa Rica on Tuesday in a 5 p.m. start.

August 8, 2024 Cartersville’s Zoie Shiflett struck out ten, tossed a complete game, and had a pair of extra-base hits with two RBI as the Lady Canes won their third straight to open the 2024 season in a 5-1 Region 7-4A victory Thursday night at Cass. Shiflett allowed just one earned run in the circle while scattering five hits and three walks. She tripled home the Hurricanes’ first run in the opening inning and doubled to drive in another run in the fifth inning. Four other Canes produced two hits including Jordan Bishop (solo home run), Kinsey Woodard,  Reese Dumas (triple, two RBI), and Kennedy Crenshaw. Allana Williams added one hit for the Cartersville offense. Lily Powell (4 IP, 2R, 1ER, 2H, 2BB, 2K) started in the circle for Cass and was tagged with the pitching loss. Kylie Gentry (3 IP, 3R, 2ER, 7H, 0BB, 4K) pitched the final three frames.  The only Cass run of the night tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the second inning. Chloe Hill doubled into left field scoring Harlee Thomason who reached on a walk. Braelyn Franklin, Darianna Sosa (double), Cayce Brown, Thomason, and Hill (double) had one hit for the Lady Colonels. Cartersville (3-0, 2-0) will play Lanier on Friday at 8 p.m. and then face Northgate (9 a.m.) and Kell (11 a.m.) on Saturday morning in the Colonel Back to School Bash. All three games are at Hamilton Crossing Park. Cass (1-2, 1-1) has games against Temple (9 a.m.) and White County (1 p.m.) on Saturday in the Hamilton Crossing Park event. ADAIRSVILLE 18, CHRISTIAN HERITAGE 1 The Adairsville Lady Tigers needed only three innings Thursday evening in Dalton to close out an 18-1 win at Christian Heritage. The Tigers posted six runs in the top of the first inning and 12 more in the second to make short work of the host Lady Lions. Ashlyn Carlton (3 IP, 1ER, 4H, 0BB, 3K) tossed all three innings to pick up the Adairsville pitching win. She also paced the Tiger offense with three hits including a triple and two RBI. Brie Patterson (home run, double, four RBI), Taylor Evans (home run, three RBI), and Kylie Perine (RBI) finished with two hits. Ashlynn Durden (double, two RBI), Ansley Powell (two RBI), Lily Roberts (RBI), and Riley Mounger added one hit. Christian Heritage falls to 0-1 following their season opener. Adairsville (3-0) plays Walker (9 a.m.) and Hampton (1 p.m.) on Saturday in the Colonel Back to School Bash at Hamilton Crossing Park. CEDARTOWN 13, WOODLAND 1 The visiting Cedartown Lady Bulldogs scored runs in all four frames to win at Woodland on Thursday night, 13-1, in four innings. Cedartown scored six runs in the top of the first, added a single run in the second, and added three more runs in the third and fourth innings. Bailey Ryan walked and later scored the Lady Cats run in the bottom of the first inning on a passed ball. Kamryn Smith (4 IP, 13R, 9ER, 12H, 2BB, 1K) was the pitcher of record for Woodland. Jordan Hammonds had two hits for the Wildcats. Gracie Korb added one hit. Cedartown improved to 3-0 overall and 2-0 in Region 7-4A. Woodland (0-3, 0-2) plays Murray County (4 p.m.) and Coahulla Creek (6 p.m.) on Friday at the Dalton Invitational.

August 6, 2024 The Cass Lady Colonels strung together five hits in the second inning to take a 4-0 lead and added two insurance runs in the top of the seventh on Tuesday night to collect a 6-2 Region 7-4A win at Woodland. The Lady Cats scored their two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning and were threatening for more but a line-out double play ended the final frame. Lily Powell made the pitching start for Cass and earned the victory in the circle. She did not allow a run while scattering three hits with two walks. Powell fanned two. Kylie Gentry (3 IP, 2R, 1ER, 3H, 1BB, 2K) closed out the final three innings for the Lady Colonels. Ashlyn Baines was charged with the pitching loss for Woodland. She tossed all seven innings allowing six earned runs on ten hits and two walks with five strikeouts. Cass received a lot of production from the bottom third of their batting order. Sydney Satterfield (double, RBI) and KK Evans had three hits. Bailey York (double, RBI) added two hits. Braelyn Franklin (RBI), Darianna Sosa (two RBI), Molli Morrow (double), and Harlee Thomason produced one hit for the Colonels. Six Wildcats finished with one hit including Gracie Korb (double, RBI), Bailey Ryan (RBI), Destiny Eckhart, Bitsy Hartsfield, Kamryn Smith, and Baines. Woodland (0-2, 0-1) hosts Cedartown in a region game on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Cass (1-1, 1-0) entertains Cartersville on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. CARTERSVILLE 15, DALTON 1 Jordan Bishop and LaKaiya Banks combined for seven hits and five RBI. At the same time, Lady Canes’ pitchers Zoie Shiflett and Kennedy Stevens limited the host Dalton Catamounts to just one unearned run in a 15-1 Region 7-4A rout on Tuesday night in Whitfield County. Bishop was 4-for-4 with a walk, three runs scored, and two stolen bases. Banks was 3-for-5 with two RBI, scored twice, and stole a base. Shiflett made the Purple Hurricanes’ pitching start and went four innings. She allowed one unearned run on three hits and one walk. The sophomore hurler recorded one strikeout. Stevens worked a scoreless fifth inning. She walked one and struck out the side. Reese Dumas produced two hits including a double for Cartersville with three RBI. Allana Williams also had two hits. Shiflett (RBI), Taryn Bradley (two RBI, two steals), Addi Burns, Ansleigh Tilley, and Layne Callan added one hit. The loss dropped Dalton to 0-2 overall and 0-1 in region play. Seventh-ranked Cartersville (2-0, 1-0) visits Cass on Thursday for a 5:30 p.m. start.

August 6, 2024 The Woodland High volleyball team started the 2024 season on Tuesday night in Jasper and suffered a trio of non-region losses in straight sets. The Lady Cats fell to the host Pickens Dragons 16-25 and 13-25, lost to the Gilmer Bobcats 7-25 and 13-25, and fell to the Fannin County Rebels 7-25 and 13-25. Woodland coach Caroline Gore credited Dayana Jaimes as the Lady Cats’ defensive leader in the three matches with Abygail Childs and Emily Guin leading the offense. Woodland (0-3) will host Temple and East Paulding on Thursday in a 5 p.m. start.

August 5, 2024 The Adairsville softball team pounded out 13 hits and cruised to a 14-1 home win over Pepperell on Monday night in four innings. Adairsville took a 3-0 lead in the second inning and added eleven more runs in the bottom of the third inning to put the game away. Maddie Baggett earned the pitching win for the Tigers by scattering five hits without issuing a walk. She struck out seven. Ashlyn Carlton (two doubles, two RBI), Taylor Evans (two doubles, three RBI), Lily Roberts (triple, four RBI), Brie Patterson (double), and Riley Mounger produced two hits each for Adairsville. Kylie Perine (RBI), Ansley Powell (RBI), and Alivia Joslin added one hit. The loss dropped Pepperell to 0-3 on the season. The Lady Tigers (2-0) play at Christian Heritage on Thursday at 5 p.m.

August 5, 2024 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Former Cartersville High School and Auburn University pitcher, Mason Barnett, was recently traded from the Kansas City Royals organization to the Oakland A’s organization but remain in the same Double-A league. Barnett moves from the Northwest Arkansas Naturals to the Midland Rockhounds in the Texas League. Meanwhile, this week’s update includes the two other former Canes and their MiLB action this past week plus results for former Woodland High hurler, Kenny Jinks, who has signed a professional contract with the Independent Pioneer League’s Missoula Paddleheads in Missoula, Montana. MiLB MASON BARNETT — Midland RockHounds (3rd-yr. pro; Oakland A’s Double-A affiliate; Texas League; Auburn; Cartersville HS) … ranked as the Kansas City Royals No. 4 prospect by MLB Pipeline and 11th by Baseball America, the 23-year-old right-hand pitcher was traded this past week to the Oakland A’s organization. Barnett was part of a deal that sent Oakland’s set-up man, Lucas Erceg, to Kansas City. Barnett had a 4.91 ERA in 91-⅔ innings with 109 strikeouts this season with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals before the trade. In his first pitching start for Midland this past Saturday, he allowed a solo home run, two hits, two walks, and hit one batter en route to his sixth win of the season. He fanned six of the 20 batters he faced as the RockHounds won at the Arkansas Travelers, 5-1. Midland (60-42 overall) is 20-13 in the Texas League’s second-half race and is tied for first place in the South Division. The ‘Hounds host the co-division-leading Frisco RoughRiders this week for six games. LOGAN MARTIN — Columbia Fireflies (2nd-yr. pro; Kansas City Royals Single-A affiliate; Carolina League; Kentucky; Cartersville HS) … appeared in relief this past weekend in a game that started on Saturday and was suspended to be completed on Sunday. Martin entered in the second inning and worked 4-⅓ innings on the mound with no decision in an eventual 13-12 loss at the Fayetteville Woodpeckers. The righty allowed three earned runs (four total) on five hits and one walk while striking out six. For the season, the 23-year-old has a 2-3 record in 19 appearances covering 75 innings. He has made a dozen starts and has three saves in relief appearances. His season WHIP is 1.23 and he has 75 strikeouts. Columbia (54-46 overall) is 18-16 in the Carolina League's second-half standings and second place in the South Division. The Fireflies host six games this week with the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. ANTHONY SEIGLER — Somerset Patriots (7th-yr. pro; NY Yankees Double-A affiliate; Eastern League; Cartersville HS) … appeared in five games last week at the Bowie Baysox as the Patriots went 4-2 in six games. Seigler hit solo home runs last Tuesday and Saturday — his eighth and ninth of the season — and was 4-for-15 at the plate in the series. He walked four times and scored four runs during the week. The 25-year-old has a .210 batting average with nine homers and 33 RBI in 257 official at-bats in 2024. Somerset (52-50 overall) is 20-13 in the Eastern League’s second-half race and trails Portland by one game in the standings. The Patriots host six games with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies.  INDEPENDENT PIONEER LEAGUE BASEBALL KENNY JINKS — Missoula Paddleheads (1st-yr. pro; Independent Pioneer League; Wheeling University; Woodland HS) … made home pitching starts July 19 against the Glacier Range Riders, July 28 against the Billings Mustangs, and this past Saturday against the Great Falls Voyagers but has yet to receive a pitching decision. The three starts by the lefty have covered a total of nine innings. He has allowed seven earned runs on 11 hits and eight walks for a 7.00 ERA. Missoula is 12-5 in the Pioneer League’s second-half schedule and trails the Boise Hawks by two games. The Paddleheads (49-16 overall) won the first half race with a 37-11 mark. Missoula plays six games this week at the Glacier Range Riders.

August 4, 2024 Union County scored six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning Saturday afternoon en route to a 10-2 win over the visiting Woodland Lady Cats. The game marked the season opener for Woodland while the host Panthers improved to 2-1. The Wildcats trailed 1-0 after two innings but took a 2-1 lead in the top of the third on a run-producing single by Bitsy Hartsfield and a sacrifice fly by Ashlyn Baines. The Panthers regained the lead with a walk and three consecutive hits to push ahead 4-2. Four hits by Union County, combined with three more walks, produced a six-run fourth inning and a commanding advantage. Gracie Korb (3 IP, 10ER, 7H, 3BB, 3K) made the start in the circle for Woodland and suffered the pitching loss. Baines entered the circle in relief and allowed one hit and one walk but retired three outs in the fourth inning. Hartsfield (RBI) and Jordan Hammonds finished with two hits for the Lady Cats. Korb and Bailey Ryan added one hit. Woodland (0-1) begins play in Region 7-4A on Tuesday at home against Cass at 5:30 p.m.

August 3, 2024 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com The 2024 high school volleyball schedule opens this week for three of the five local high school programs and will continue into the post-season in October. The Cartersville Lady Canes and the Woodland Lady Cats will try to make return appearances to the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) state playoffs.  Cartersville has won 17 consecutive Bartow County Championships and was Region 7-5A runner-up in 2023. Woodland will be under the direction of a new coaching staff after coach David Condon handed off the reins of the Wildcats program. Excel Christian Academy, a member of the Georgia Association of Private and Parochial Schools (GAPPS), will also seek a return trip to their postseason. Meanwhile, Adairsville and Cass will look to get back into state playoff contention this season. Local programs will also compete in new region alignments as the GHSA begins a new 2024-25 and 2025-26 reclassification cycle. ADAIRSVILLE TIGERS Head coach: Kailey Martin 2023 record: 10-25 overall, 2-6 in Region 6-3A New region 7-3A includes Calhoun, Gilmer, Heritage-Catoosa, LaFayette, Northwest Whitfield, and Ridgeland. State Playoffs: Did not qualify in 2023 The Lady Tigers return six senior starters from last year’s team including Addie Pearson (Setter/Opposite Hitter), Cara Harp (Libero/Setter), Abby Farr (Opposite Hitter), Mallory Kimbrel (Opposite Hitter), Alivia Wynn (Defensive Specialist), and Lexi Adcock (Defensive Specialist). The veterans will be joined by varsity newcomers  Ella Steward (Middle Blocker, Jr.), Ansley Mims (Middle Blocker, Jr.), Myka Colston (Outside Hitter, Jr.), Alexis Scott (Outside Hitter, So.), and Alexa Wynn (Setter, So.). The Adairsville program continues to grow. The Tigers have 36 players heading into the season with many playing for the JV and "C" teams. Coach Martin identified Addie Pearson and Cara Harp for their expected leadership roles in 2024, “Pearson’s leadership will shine on the court. She has earned her team captain title and is a three-year varsity member. Addie leads this group both on and off the court. Harp was our second setter last year but will step into the libero role this season and command the backcourt.  She also noted the development of two newcomers, “I’m also expecting middles Ella Steward and Ansley Mims to make large contributions. They join the varsity for the first time but I can see their hunger to dominate and their speed on the net will benefit our defense.” “I am excited for this year,” Martin continued. “We have some new region opponents and fresh faces on our side of the court. It makes me eager to get the season going. The girls have worked hard this summer. I can’t wait to see where it goes.” The Adairsville coach picked LaFayette, Heritage-Catoosa, and Calhoun as three of the expected playoff contenders in the newly configured Region 7-3A. The Lady Tigers begin the regular season on Thursday at home against North Murray and Rome at 5 p.m. CARTERSVILLE HURRICANES Head coach: Kyle Lundberg 2023 record: 28-18 overall, 4-1 in Region 7-5A New Region 7-4A includes Allatoona, Cass, Cedartown, Dalton, Hiram, Southeast Whitfield, and Woodland. State Playoffs: Lost to Chattahoochee in the first round The Lady Canes return six starters from a 2023 squad that was Region 7-5A runner-up to Dalton. The returnees include Riley Jarrett (Defensive Specialist, Sr.), Aubree Barrett (Setter, Right Side Hitter, Sr.), Addison Marisko (Middle Hitter, Jr.), Sydney McNair-Seigler (Defensive Specialist, Jr.), McKenzie Wilkie (Libero, So.), and Holly Dufrene (Outside Hitter, So.).  Team newcomers Riley Huff (Middle Hitter, Jr.), Addie Rickman (Right Side Hitter, Jr.), Amara Ejieke (Outside Hitter, So.), and Emma Wall (Setter, Right Side Hitter, Fr.) are expected to contribute right away. First-year head coach Kyle Lundberg’s program includes 14 varsity squad members and 12 on a JV roster that will participate in 13 play dates. Lundberg likes the composition of this year’s team and highlighted their skills. “McKenzie Wilkie will bring a national skill level to our back row and should be one of the best Libero’s in Class 4A, if not the state. Aubree Barrett was a GVCA 1st Team All-State player last year and she will bring a consistent balance to our all-around performance. Addison Marisko and Riley Huff will be big in our offensive attacking and blocking in the middle with both around 6’2”. Holly Dufrene and Amara Ejieke will be big for our offensive attacks this year. They both bring power and can use their smarts to hit open spots on the floor. Riley Jarrett brings great leadership skills, athleticism, and a competitive nature. She will be another big piece to our defense and Emma Wall brings great experience and composure for a freshman,” said coach Lundberg. “The entire program — varsity and JV — have been working their tails off all summer. They have been coming in four days a week for weights and skills work to prepare for this season. Class 4A is a tough classification for volleyball but we are ready to compete and work towards a state title,” Lundberg continued.“I think we have the most complete program in the new region but I know Dalton is coming off a Final Four appearance and Allatoona has a rich volleyball culture and will challenge as well.” Cartersville begins regular season play on Saturday in Jonesboro where the Lady Canes will participate in the “You Got Served” Kickoff Tournament. CASS COLONELS Head coach: Amanda Manson 2023 record: 4-29-1 overall, 1-4 in Region 7-5A New Region 7-4A includes Allatoona, Cartersville, Cedartown, Dalton, Hiram, Southeast Whitfield, and Woodland. State Playoffs: Did not qualify in 2023 Four players return to first-year head coach Amanda Manson’s roster including Carson Brannon (Setter/Libero), Harlee Davis (Outside Hitter), Andrea Vergara (Defensive Specialist), and Leah Boarman (Outside Hitter/Defensive Specialist). That core will be joined by a group of freshman players who have played both middle school and club volleyball. Coach Manson expressed excitement and confidence in the abilities of these newcomers to help rebuild the program for years to come. “We have 19 total players in the program,” noted Manson. “The JV will play a schedule similar to that of the varsity.” The 2024 Cass team will seek to build on its youth. “We have a lot of new faces on the court this season,” added Manson. “and we’re asking returning players to play positions new to them as well. I have high hopes and expectations for everyone on the team and expect everyone to step up and work together. I’m excited to see this team grow.” The Lady Colonels begin the regular season on Thursday, August 15 where they will face Temple and Adairsville at Adairsville High School. WOODLAND WILDCATS Head coach: Caroline Gore 2023 record: 13-27 overall, 2-3 in Region 7-5A New Region 7-4A includes Allatoona, Cartersville, Cass, Cedartown, Dalton, Hiram, and Southeast Whitfield. State Playoffs: Lost to Greater Atlanta Christian in the first round Former assistant coach Caroline Gore takes the helm of the Lady Cats’ program after long-time head coach David Condon stepped down. Gore inherits a team that graduated its entire starting lineup from 2023 and multiple seniors from the roster. “We have some sophomores that we are excited to see play in their first varsity game,” said coach Gore. “Emily Guin (Outside Hitter) and freshman Dayanna Jaimes (Libero) will be immediate contributors. The Wildcats have 14 girls on the 2024 varsity roster and have additional JV players. The JV will participate in an almost identical playdate schedule as the varsity. “Seniors Brooke Kozlowski (Middle) and Rylei Morris (Defensive Specialist) will provide us with leadership,” noted Gore. “They bring great leadership skills and help motivate the other players each day. Both are returning varsity players so we expect to see some growth from last season to now. Brooke dominates on the net with her kills and constant blocks. Rylei has also shown great potential throughout the summer with improved skills.” “Bella King is another sophomore that will contribute,” added the Woodland coach. “She has club team experience as a setter so we are excited to see her in the lineup.” “During tryouts, the coaching staff was looking for girls that bring charisma and leadership skills to the team,” Gore continued. “we lost so many girls from a year ago that we are rebuilding. We know teams like Cartersville and Allatoona will be challenging at the top of our new region. We are trying to develop a group with a passion for the sport.” The Lady Cats will begin the 2024 regular season at Pickens High School on Tuesday night at 5 p.m. Woodland will square off with Gilmer County and Fannin County. EXCEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY EAGLES Head coach: Katie Jones 2023 record: 8-8 overall, 3-2 in GAPPS DI-A Region 2 This season: Region 1, GAPPS DI-A includes Covenant Christian School, Hearts Academy, Oakwood Christian, Praise Academy, and Unity Christian School. GAPPS State Playoffs: defeated Forest but lost to The Stonehaven School and Holy Ground Baptist Academy. The Lady Eagles return three starters from last season’s team including libero Clara Holley (Sr.), outside hitter Chae Vieria (Jr.), and right-side hitter Aliyah Dunning (So.).  Carolina Otalora (Jr.) is expected to contribute immediately from her outside hitter position. She was a team member last season but did not participate in varsity matches due to eligibility. Another newcomer for the Eagles will be Giovanna Vieria. Only a seventh grader, Vieria is eligible to play varsity in GAPPS. Coach Jones expects her to see substantial playing time early in the season and has been impressed with her skill level and knowledge of the game. “Clara Holley is our team captain,” noted coach Jones. “She has contributed to our program since the inaugural 2022 season. Clara brings one hundred percent effort every day. I think we will see evidence of that in her senior season.” Coach Jones expects the Eagles to contend again for a GAPPS state tournament berth. “Praise Academy is always a tough region match for us and I also expect a well-coached and strong Unity Christian team this year,” she concluded. Excel will begin regular season play at home on Monday, August 12 in a home match against Hearts Academy at 5:30 p.m.

August 2, 2024 Defensive miscues led to four, unearned runs by host Wheeler Friday night as the Wildcats broke open a 5-5 game and held off the Cass Lady Colonels, 9-7. Cass scored twice in the top of the seventh and had the potential tying run at the plate in their final frame but could get no closer. Lily Powell (3.2 IP, 4R, 0ER, 1H, 1BB, 4HBP, 3K) was tagged with the Colonels’ pitching loss in relief of starter Kylie Gentry (1.2 IP, 5R, 4ER, 4H, 2BB, 1K) despite not allowing an earned run. Emma Gibson (0.2 IP, 0R, 0H, 2BB) retired the final two outs of the sixth inning in the circle. The Lady Colonels trailed 3-1 after one inning and 5-2 through two innings before knotting the score at 5-5 in the top of the third inning.  The game remained a stalemate until Wheeler (1-0) took advantage of a single, a hit batsmen, three infield errors, and a bases-loaded walk to take the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth inning. Cass outhit the Wildcats ten to five but five errors, five walks, and four hit batsmen led to their defeat. Molli Morrow led the Colonels’ offense with three hits and two RBI. Darianna Sosa followed with two hits including a first-inning solo homer. Harlee Thomason (double, RBI), Bailey York (RBI), Payton Mize (RBI), Cayce Brown, and Braelyn Franklin added one hit. The Lady Colonels (0-1) return to action on Tuesday with their first Region 7-4A game at Woodland.