By Kevin Taylor Times Recordktaylor@swtimes.com

Van Buren volleyball coach Brent Reeves has the best of two worlds heading into Tuesday's 2017 opener with Southside: four returning starters and a young roster.

The Lady Pointers, who beat Northside last season to reach the second round of the 7A state playoffs, also have good team chemistry.

"I've coached a lot of sports, but I think volleyball needs more chemistry than any other sport," Reeves said. "You've got to have everybody pulling for each other. If you can do that, you can win a lot of games."

Van Buren finished 14-15 last season and 6-8 in the ultra competitive 7A-West.

Reeves, who enjoyed great coaching success at Mansfield prior to taking the reigns at Van Buren last fall, has two good hitters back in the form of Bekah Olienyk and Alex Dupree. Just a junior, Dupree was a big surprise in Reeves' first season.

Senior setter Caroline Davis and junior setter Mikelle Porter are also back in the fold.

"We're very excited about this year," Reeves said. "At this level, it seems like everybody can play, so you have to be ready every night to play. We've gelled really well. Every time we play in practice, they give it all they've got, and that's all you can ask."

Reeves is ready for his girls to take it to the next level, and that means winning five set matches.

"We talk about that all the time," he said. "Volleyball is just a mental game. Everybody can set and pass, but stepping in there and knowing you can do it is just as big.

"Obviously, every team can play."

Running a 6-2 scheme, Reeves expects good things from twin middle blockers Grace and Madelyn Doolittle and back row specialist Caitlin Perry.

"They've (Doolittles) stepped up and played well," Reeves said. "Caitlin, in our back row, she gets to a lot of balls. We just want to play hard and build some momentum."

The Doolittle twins helped lead Van Buren's ninth grade team to 17 wins last season and a second play finish in the River Valley Conference.

"We can build some early momentum," Reeves said. "I feel like you have to win some early games to stay in it. I love starting out with Southside, because Southside is a great program. Coach (Steve) Haaser and I, we go way back. Alma's a big rival for Van Buren, I discovered last year, and that's a good fun game."

Reeves has been part of a pretty amazing 20-year volleyball run where five schools Southside, Greewnood, Mansfield, Paris and Lavaca have won state championships, with eight of those coming from Southside.

"You've got great volleyball programs in this area," Reeves said. "Paris, they're amazing right now. It's been awesome to watch how it's grown."

Excerpt from:
Volleyball: Reeves like Van Buren Lady Pointers' chemistry - Times Record