Erin Blalock has spent years building up the interest in volleyball around Warren County. It has paid dividends, particularly Thursday when over 40 players came out to Charlie Dalton Gym looking to become the next great Lady Pioneer team, but there’s a sad reality that sets in too.

Not everybody can make the team.

Blalock had to make some tough choices on tryout day, but ultimately settled on 19 players who are hoping to keep the Lady Pioneers competitive this fall.

There is a good mix of youth and experience on the roster, with super setter Kennedi Pegg and big hitters Allyson Blalock, Emily Davis and Aleah Davis back to headline the team. Others could be in for a bump in playing time this year too, like the versatile Lilly Cantrell and Jaelin Stovall and towering front-line players Lola Wells, Hope Gilley and Kassi Nuckols.

Also included on the Lady Pioneer roster are Alyssa Boyd, Abaigail Brown, Amara Ellison, super quick Makenzie Hullett, Jenna Mullins, Aubrey Oleksik, Hanah Ray, Samantha Saldana, Emma Sharpe and Ali Young. Oleksik and Young were both named All-CTC last year at WCMS while helping the Lady Pioneers to a regular season title.

The group had a quick turnaround after Blalock assembled the team last Thursday. On Friday, the WCHS volleyball team hosted a youth camp for aspiring future Lady Pioneers. It turned out to be a hit as the team was able to put a huge group of kids through six hours of drills and games, leaving everybody smiling by the end.

Blalock and the Lady Pioneers are hoping to be smiling this fall when they dive headfirst into a new challenge. Warren County will be moving districts, with its newest rivals in 7AAA being Cookeville, LaVergne, Lebanon, Smyrna, Stewarts Creek, White County and Wilson Central.