CLEVELAND, Tenn.-When the Lee volleyball team delivers the first serve on Sept. 1 in the Erskine Invitational (Due West, South Carolina) against Tusculum University, it will officially mark the beginning of Christa Fabre's college head coaching career. After opening on the road, the Lady Flames will host Tuskegee University on Sept. 6.
Fabre returns to Lee where she was an All-American member of three Lady Flame teams (2008-2011) that reached the Final Four of NAIA National Tournament play. She served as the top assistant at Gulf South Conference rival Union University from 2017-2022. She was able to work with her club this past spring and had the benefit of only losing two players from the 2022 squad. Scottie Cook moved on after graduating and Hannah Upton decided against playing one more season.
"I am really thankful that I was able to be here in the spring to lay the foundation and develop the culture we want this program to embody," explained Fabre. "I am proud of the way the girls have bought in and are hungry to learn and grow together as a unit. We talk about "the being of team" and what that looks like in a tangible way. Culture is something we will always be working to grow and develop but I am excited about the progress I have seen so far on and off the court."?
A pair of exhibition matches inside Walker Arena in front of the Lady Flames' fans produced plenty of excitement, helping the newcomers and returning players get comfortable, hopefully settling in for the long road ahead.
"The exhibition matches that we have been able to play this preseason have been great for getting us ready for the start of the season. We are learning what it looks like to earn our victories," pointed out coach Fabre after the weekend matches against Covenant and Carson-Newman.
Returning Players
While the team lost Cook and Upton, graduate outside hitter Abby Stroh, senior setter Ashton Middleton, sophomore specialist Sophia Lippert, sophomore middle blocker Grace Mazzocca, senior defensive specialist Kamryn Halpin and senior outside hitter Allie Scurlock (Whittinghill) give the club a strong list of returnees.
The veteran Stroh was able to avoid injury last season and had 297 kills, 49 blocks, 283 digs. Scurlock followed with 146 kills and 30 blocks. Macy Petty joined in with 137 kills and 30 blocks while Mazzocca countered with 132 kills and 30 blocks. Lippert went to the net for 124 kills and 26 blocks. In the area of setters, Middleton dished off 580 assists to her teammates last season and went to the floor for 228 digs. Clarissa Soza posted 343 assists and 198 digs. Halpin was the 2022 team leader in digs, 318.
Singling Out Recruits
Coach Fabre said she took advantage of being hired in the spring to go after needed recruits. She singled out Julia Davis, who came to Lee from UT-Chattanooga's beach program. "Julia is a solid ball control player who finds ways to score on the outside," noted the coach. Naomi Hockless is a middle blocker from St. Francis Brooklyn. "She has quick and efficient blocking movements and is a competitive player who can terminate the ball," labeled the coach.
Miyah Cole Brown is a transfer from North Alabama who joined the Lady Flames in the spring. "I have loved seeing her growth over the spring. I think she will be a player who contributes on the court as well," stressed the excited coach.
"We also brought in a girl from Spain (Carmen Perez). She came in and was not able to practice for the first week because of illness, but she is another outside (hitter) who is explosive and has a really high ceiling for growth."
Well-Rounded Team
Fabre allowed, "I think one of our strengths is that we are well rounded. We have several people who can terminate the ball and there is not a position on the court that other teams will be able to say is not a priority. I am seeing us grow in competitiveness and the will to win, and I believe that will be a strength of ours too."
Improving Defense
The coach went on to say that defense is an area the team is working to improve on. "We are working on explosive blocking movements and still getting our hands up when we make a bad read. Our eye work needs to be more efficient so we can beat the ball and get quality touches at the net and in the backrow," she stressed.
Getting Ready for GSC
Coach Fabre feels the schedule is not overwhelmingly challenging this year outside of our conference. "The Henderson State tournament (Sept. 15-16) will have strong teams that will challenge us and get us ready for conference play." The Lady Flames will welcome Montevallo to open GSC play on Sept. 19.?
"Determine Our Destiny"
Over the last few years, the Lady Flames have not made it into the conference tournament. They have come close and have been on the fringe with the possibility of getting in if certain teams had lost. "We have talked about earning a spot in the conference tournament and clinching early because of the success we have during regular season. We want to determine our destiny in that way," the coach announced.?
Taking Care of Business
"I am proud to be a part of this team and excited about this season and the future for our program. These girls are building the foundation and working to leave their jersey in a better place and for the girls who come after them," she proclaimed. "We are working hard and enjoying the process with high hopes for the season ahead, taking care of our business with focus and dedication each day.?"
