Louisa, Ky. — Lil’ Dawgs Youth Volleyball League brings new opportunities to the youth of Lawrence County.
Lawrence County High School Volleyball took a step toward building the future of the sport in our area by introducing the first ever Lil’ Dawgs Youth Volleyball League, created and operated through Lawrence County High School Volleyball under the direction of Head Coach Autumn Blevins and Assistant Coach Beth Blevins.
The inaugural league welcomed 53 Lawrence County girls and boys between the ages of 7 and 13 who signed up for the opportunity to learn, play, and experience the sport of volleyball.
Practices were held each Wednesday, followed by games on Sundays, giving young athletes the opportunity to develop their skills while learning what it means to be part of a team.
The goal of the Lil’ Dawgs Youth Volleyball League was to bring volleyball to the youth of Lawrence County and provide them with a strong foundation in the fundamentals before they reach middle and high school. Until this year, there had not been a youth volleyball program that provided this type of structured opportunity for elementary-aged students in our county.
While Lawrence County has benefited from youth opportunities in other sports, volleyball did not have a comparable program at the elementary level. The Lil’ Dawgs league was created to help fill that gap and give young athletes an opportunity to discover volleyball at an early age.
10-13 Team Rosters
Blue Team
Sutton Adams, Kinley Wilks, Berkley Whitt, Tayla Johnson, Adalyn Caseman, Saydie Blevins, Paisley Burton, Aubrey Hall, Reagan Hager, Ella Humphrey,
Orange Team
Marlee Evans, Peyton Lewis, Holland Ledson, Nolla Blevins, Mila Blankenship, Paelyn Muncy, Olivia Dean, Makynlee Wondowlowski, Maci Gartin, Katie Sanders
Purple Team
Sophia Evans, Lyla See, Ellie Short, Kensington Collins, Grace Corbiere, Kyndal Stacy, Rachel See, Heidi Caudill, Laurel Maynard, Marley Marcum, Abigail Pinkerman
One of the biggest strengths of the program was the organization and consistency of teaching fundamentals. Every player received the same streamlined instruction from experienced coaches and members of the Lawrence County High School Volleyball team. Young athletes were taught the fundamentals of passing, serving, setting, hitting, teamwork, while also learning the importance of sportsmanship, effort, and having fun over the course of a 7 week period.
For the high school players, the league also provided an opportunity to give back to the sport and community that has supported them. LCHS volleyball players and coaches spent countless hours working with the young athletes, helping them learn the game and serving as positive role models both on and off the court.
The Lil’ Dawgs experience extended beyond practices and games. The youth players had the opportunity to ride alongside the LCHS Volleyball team during the Septemberfest Parade, allowing them to represent Lawrence County Volleyball together as a unified program. The league was also celebrated during a special Lil’ Dawgs Night at an LCHS home volleyball game on September 14th.
The inaugural season was made possible through the combined efforts of the Lawrence County High School Volleyball players, coaches, and LCHS Volleyball boosters members. Their willingness to invest time, energy, and resources into the youth of the community helped turn an idea into a successful program that reached 53 young athletes in its very first season!
More importantly, the Lil’ Dawgs Youth Volleyball League has shown what can happen when a community comes together to create opportunities for its young people. For some of the 53 players, this may have been their first experience with volleyball. It may also be the beginning of a sport they continue to play throughout their upcoming school years.
Ages 7-9 Team Rosters
Green Team
Aria Little, Carson Adkins, Abby Crawford, Jace Hooley, Madelynn Adkins, Harper Powell, Madelyn Spillman, Ellie Slone
Red Team
Amelia Dotson, Charlie Branham, Nolen Ward, Layla Fraley, Emma Evans, Hadley Robertson, Adleigh Wells, Blaire Wells
Pink Team
Lucy Short, Kendyll Pack, Kynli Anderson, Adrianna Slone, Aubrey Preston, Jocelyn Moore, Ramzi Salmons
Bulldog Head Coach Autumn Blevins
COACH’S COMMENTS
“… The hope is that this year’s Lil’ Dawgs will become the foundation for something much bigger. With the success of the inaugural season, the tremendous support from families, and the overwhelmingly positive feedback, next season is expected to bring an even bigger and better turnout.”
“… The future of Lawrence County Volleyball is taking shape, one Lil’ Dawg at a time.”
