Chattooga Volleyball Loaded With Experience, Eyes Another Deep Playoff Run

Coming off the best season in school history, the Lady Indians are gearing up for another deep run in the state playoffs. Coach Wes Maddux brings back eight seniors from a team that won 34 matches and advanced to the Final Four of the state tournament last season before falling to Bremen.

“This is the most experienced team I’ve had,” Maddux said. “Having eight seniors is unheard of. That experience alone will get us through the rough times and win us a lot of matches.”

Replacing an All-State Hitter

The Indians must replace three-time All-State hitter Haley Maddux, who racked up more than 500 kills last season — tops in Class A.

“I don’t expect anyone to do what Haley did last year, but I am expecting All-Region hitters, senior Daysa Martin and junior Gracelyn Rutledge, to have big seasons for us at the net,” Maddux said. “They are both capable and talented enough to have big seasons of their own.”

Maddux is also looking for seniors Kaylee Dodd and Kami Robbins (6-1) to be key contributors on offense, along with senior Temperance Kinnebrew.

Setters Locked In

One area Maddux isn’t worried about is his setters. Seniors Aurora Ramirez and Madilyn Wheat look to run Chattooga’s 6-2 offense as precisely as they did last season. Ramirez and Wheat combined for 865 assists a year ago.

“The setters are the quarterbacks of volleyball — everything runs through them. I am fortunate enough to have two great ones,” Maddux said. “Maddie is our most experienced player; she’s been a six-rotation starter all four years, and she’ll hit a career milestone of 1,000 assists soon. Aurora is so fun to watch. She plays hard all the time, and her fierceness on the court is unmatched.”

A Veteran Back Row

Defensively, senior Brooklyn Morris returns at libero.

“I look for Brooklyn to have a big year on the back row,” Maddux said. “She has a lot of experience back there.”

Junior Bri Finley also returns as a defensive specialist. “Bri is solid on the back row. She makes plays you’d have to see to believe,” Maddux said.

Rutledge will also patrol the back row after leading the team with 375 digs last season and posting the team’s best serve-receive percentage. Senior Cynthia Castro is also expected to see time on the back row.

At the net, Maddux expects another strong season from Martin defensively as well. “She led the region in blocks last season with 63. I see her surpassing that this year,” Maddux said.

With eight seniors, proven setters, and returning strength across the front and back rows, Chattooga looks poised to build on last year’s historic run.