Junior varsity tryouts were very competitive this year for Mathews High School volleyball. Tryouts were held on Aug. 2, with 27 athletes vying for 15 available spots.

With only three returning players, the jayvee Lady Devils are quite young, but have tons of potential. All three returning players are rising freshmen—Nikkita Parrish, Ginna Jarvis and Haley Sullivan.

Newcomers include sophomore Isabelle Turner, freshmen Jackie Stewart, Kayla Carter, Anna Hudgins and Whitney Eriksen; and rising eighth graders Allison Foster, Bailey Kujawski, Mallory Sanger, Kai McCann, Kelly Adams, Taylor South and Morgan Driskell.

"We are young, but learning fast and I am looking forward to watching their progress," coach Tina Reece said.

In Tuesday night’s benefit scrimmage against Tabb, the jayvee Lady Devils won two out of three games played against the AA team. The match was a big learning experience for many of the young players and all showed much improvement. At thi...