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It may be Courtney Dotson’s first season coaching Morristown East, but the team she’ll be coaching will not be short on talent.

While having to replace the likes of Finley Surber, Laken Burnside and Kierstin Bell, the Lady ‘Canes also bring back a good group of upperclassmen that are sure to make them competitive in 2023.

For Dotson, the work has started in the offseason with camps and work in the weight room.

“The pre-season has been really good for us so far,” Dotson said. “We were able to attend team camp at Ohio State where we played elite level players and teams. We have made tremendous progress in the weight room, which is showing on the court during practices and games. We have been able to play a few teams already during the pre-season that we will see during the season and potentially in the postseason. Our team dynamic and growth has been great to see while being able to play some top-notch teams.”

While it will be Dotson’s first year coaching at the high school level, the transition has been smooth. Dotson coached Greeneville Middle School for the past three seasons so she has the knowledge of what it takes to win day in and day out.

“Transitioning into the high school coaching role has been a fun challenge to endure,” Dotson said. “The game is faster, the skills are more precise and the challenges are greater. The team has been very susceptive of the information, skills and drills that we have been giving and doing in practices – which only makes the transition even better.”

In terms of returning upperclassmen, Dotson has a good group of them. That starts with 2022 Libero of the Year in Hailey Hall. Other returners include Reagan Forester, Lilabeth Jordan and last year’s Rookie of the Year in Harmony Sullivan.

“It is hard to plainly say who – out of the returners – just might make the biggest impact on this team this season,” Dotson said. “Every single individual that is on the team has put in many hours in the gym and weight room during the summer and pre-season. Some individuals that might stick out this season that are familiar faces from last season are playing very pivotal roles from seasons prior.”

Even Dotson’s younger players have a lot of experience. Sophomores Riley Forester and Hannah Hall saw action as freshmen last season and look to take a step forward during their second season with the team.

“Both individuals are notably remembered by many from their impressive levels of play during their middle school and freshman year of volleyball,” Dotson said. “(Hannah) Hall hit the court a few times last season but is expected to play an even bigger role this year. Hannah’s versatility, much like her older sister who is also on the team, continues to be impressive in the early portion of the season. Riley, although facing a few injuries and health challenges in the preseason, has been performing at a top level during the summer. Her ability to recoup and persevere is commendable.”

As far as the schedule goes, it will be challenging for Morristown East. Non-district matches include David Crockett, West Ridge, Greeneville, Grainger, Volunteer, Northview Academy, Cherokee, Farragut and Concord Christian. The Lady ‘Canes are also set to compete in three tournaments throughout the season.

In the conference, East will take on Morristown West, Jefferson County, Sevier County and Cocke County. The Lady ‘Canes are the three-time defending district champs.

The goals for Dotson and her team in year number one are the same as they have been for the program in years past.

“We have set many spoken goals for this upcoming season but our overall biggest goal is to end our season in Murfreesboro in October,” Dotson said. “Our goal every time we step on the court is to play our game, get better than the day before and to give glory to the man upstairs that allows us the opportunity to play and coach the sport we all love.”

The season starts for Morristown East on August 14 as they take on Greeneville, Tennessee High and Grainger at Greeneville. The Lady ‘Canes will have their first home match on the 15th against Cherokee at 5 p.m.

“Early on you can only wish a few things for your student athletes as they begin the season – health and persistence,” Dotson said. “The biggest thing I want to see from them early on this season is their dedication to their teammates during the challenging times and the desire to still grow in the sport. We are going to be faced with challenging games right from the jump, so being able to do these small things for each other will be something that will pay off later in the season.”