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Following a state tournament appearance last season in Cory Felts’ first year in charge, the Lakeway Christian volleyball team will look to build off that in 2023.

The Lions bring back a ton of experience from last year’s team and have only gotten better during the offseason.

“We have an incredibly competitive and aggressive team this year,” Felts said. “Our ball control has improved tremendously and our attackers have gotten more versatile from last year. We will also be a very strong serving team. Our girls have a lot of confidence after winning district and making it to state last year, so preseason has been very worthwhile and effective.”

Some returners for Lakeway this year include Felts’ daughter, Darby Felts, as well as Addison Adair and Ellie Linx.

“Returning all state outside hitter, Darby Felts, is flying after an entire indoor club season under her belt as a full time outside hitter,” Cory Felts said. “Addison Adair is as cool as ever and is really stepping into her role as six rotation setter. Ellie Linx is the real deal at libero and is really blossoming from the extra reps she’s gotten after Lily Hardin’s graduation last season.”

Cory Felts also mentioned Madison Mulvene as someone he expects to come up big for his team this year. Mulvene missed part of last season with an injury.

“Madison Mulvene looks to play a much bigger role at opposite for us after being injured for a portion of last season,” Cory Felts said. “She has a big arm and fierce competitiveness.”

Felts also added to his coaching staff as his oldest daughter, Lily Felts, will be an assistant coach. Felts coached Lily to the state title at Berean Christian in 2017. Lily then went on to play at the University of Tennessee and at Florida Gulf Coast University.

“Having Lily on staff is pretty special and I’d submit that I have the best JV coach in the state for sure,” Cory Felts said.

As far as the schedule goes, Lakeway Christian will travel to play some really competitive teams as a test. Those teams include Hardin Valley and Heritage. The Lions will also play in the Rumble at Rocky Top Tournament at Rocky Top Sports World.

“Playing away will help us prepare to play in front of hostile crowds further down the road and will strengthen the girls’ mental toughness,” Cory Felts said.

In terms of goals this season for Lakeway Christian, the Lions are looking to use last year’s end to the season as motivation. Lakeway went 20-4 last year and won the DII-A District 1 Championship before losing twice in the Region Tournament and then falling to Northpoint Christian in the first round of the DII-A State Tournament.

“After last season didn’t end quite how we wanted, the girls are hungry and ready to get another chance at the state tournament,” Cory Felts said. “It was an incredible first season with my team, but we were a little disappointed with the ending, so we are looking to change that this year. The experience we have now has helped us be more prepared should we be blessed enough to advance to state again.”

Lakeway Christian opens the season at Heritage on August 14th at 6 p.m.

“I’d like to see them stick with the competitiveness and aggressiveness that I’ve seen during this preseason,” Cory Felts said. “We have a deep team with a lot of competition for positions. These girls are pushing each other for spots and I’d love to see some new girls come off the bench to challenge last season’s starters. This will ultimately make us stronger and more prepared down the road.”