FORT SMITH -- Steve Haaser has seen many talented sophomore classes in the past 40 seasons as the coach of Fort Smith Southside's volleyball program.
With sophomores Avery Fitzgerald and Hannah Hogue already verbally committed to Southeastern Conference schools headlining the class, the current group just could be the best he has ever coached.
"This is for sure one of the best sophomore classes we've had here," Haaser said. "We've had some good groups. But probably the number of good players is unusual. This is a special group. They love the game."
Fitzgerald and Hogue, along with fellow sophomores Aleigha Johnson and Hayley Hall, have emerged in their first season playing at the varsity level for the Lady Mavericks (8-2, 1-0 6A-Central).
"I think it's been an amazing opportunity for all of us," Fitzgerald said. "It's been awesome showing what I can do out there on the court. I'm just trying to play my best out there for my teammates, who have helped me get better."
Through the first nines game of the season, Fitzgerald (6-foot), who is committed to Mississippi State, is second on the team in kills with 93. Hogue (5-8), who is committed to Arkansas, is third on the team in kills with 57 and second on the team with 101 digs.
Johnson has a team-high 18 blocks, and Hall has played key recent sets filling in for Southside.
"We are excited for this season and the future," Hogue said. "We know how good we are. But we also know how good we can be. That's what we are striving for is to get better."
The talented sophomore class has joined an experienced senior class that hopes to make another deep run after losing in the second round of the 7A state tournament last season.
Hannah Holland, Sarah Tolbert, Emily Bass and Jenna Mullins all returned as three-year starters, while Montana Smith and Micah Beth Brasher are now two-year starters for Southside.
"Since summer practices, we gained a lot of confidence when we saw how good this team was," Holland said. "We had a good team our sophomore and junior years. I just feel like this year we are a well-rounded team."
Holland, who is committed to Arkansas-Fort Smith, has a team-best 97 kills, 17 blocks and 11 serving aces. Tolbert leads the team with 128 assists.
Bass has a team-high 16 aces. Mullins is third on the team with 43 assists. Smith is second on the team with 81 serves received, while Brasher is fourth with 70.
"We have been looking forward to this team with the number of good players," said Haaser, who has 992 career wins at Southside. "Every year you always have a few good players. But I don't remember many years where we've had this many really talented players. We have a lot of players playing their role well."
The sophomore class has played a key role by adding an influx of talent, and they have taken advantage of the playing time.
Fitzgerald and Hogue stepping up right away have impressed Holland and the senior class.
"From personal experience, I know when you get around the big arenas it is a lot of pressure," Holland said. "You have to get used to a whole new environment. Teams want to test you as well. They are doing good with bringing energy and not being shy. They are playing as hard as they can."
The last time Southside won a state championship in volleyball was 2013. The sophomore class hopes they can be a driving force to help change that with the talent around them.
"My whole life I wanted to play for this team growing up," Hogue said. "It's been awesome. These seniors have been amazing. I feel like I have a ton of older sisters now. It would mean a lot for us for these seniors and coach Haaser to keep the legacy going."
Preps Basketball on 09/06/2018