McDonald takes reigns of Lady Trojan program

When the Whitehall High School volleyball team took to the court last weekend in Manhattan, they did so for the first time under new head coach Lauren McDonald.

A former coach at the middle school, McDonald has told her squad that it doesn't matter what class they are in or what their last name is.

"If you show up and you put forth effort and we see that, than that's what we're going for, " she said.

Having worked with a lot of the freshman and one of the sophomores on the team, McDonald said they are getting a lot of buy in from the younger girls, adding the junior and seniors are also starting to learn the expectations from the new coaching staff.

"We're here to win and we're going to be changing things up a bit," she said.

With a new staff and new system, McDonald said the kids are both curious and excited, but willing to work with pretty much whatever they throw at them.

She will be using the first several matches as a gauge to see how the team will do against other teams, and how they will react to competition.

McDonald added it would be a good experience to not only find errors the Lady Trojans need to work on, but as a chance to work with substitutions.

Whitehall will take to the home court for the first time September 6 against Twin Bridges.

The first year coach is hopeful they can turn the program around, and have some exciting games for the locals to watch.

She is also preaching the importance as playing as a team.

"As a Class B School we should be playing to win, and doing thing best for the team. Volleyball is not an individual sport. If it's best for team, that's what we're working for," McDonald said.

MANHATTAN QUAD

The Lady Trojans were able to gain valuable experience competing last Saturday at the Manhattan Quad. Whitehall was joined by host Manhattan, Jefferson County High School and the Livingston junior varsity team.

In their first match of the season, the Lady Trojans were upended by Jefferson, 20-11, 20-10.

Whitehall fell in their second match, 20-17, 20-15 to Livingston.

In their final match of round robin play, the Lady Trojans were defeated by Manhattan, 20-3, 20-14.

In the bracket action, Whitehall fell in the semifinals, 25-10 to rival Jefferson.

The team will next be in action Thursday, September 1 at Townsend.