The Covington Lady Buccs volleyball team has high aspirations for 2022 as six key players return from last year’s team that finished with a 17-7 record and was runner-up in the TRC.

Returning are seniors Nigella Reck, Lauren York and Reaghan Lemp, along with juniors Carlie Besecker and Kearsten Wiggins, plus the Lady Buccs’ outstanding sophomore setter and multi-dimensional player Taylor Kirker. Four of the six earned all league honors a year ago with Nigella Reck being named “Player of the Year” in the TRC.

“We are excited for this season as we have five returning starters, along with three other dedicated players who will be make a difference on the floor,” said Covington coach Ellie Cain. “All of the girls gel very well together and we will be able to step up our game in many different ways because of it. They all work extremely hard and we look forward to working hard throughout the entire season.”

Senior Ella Remley, junior Karyanne Turner and sophomore Mazelle Reck return after contributing to the program a year ago, while freshman Hailey Naff looks to contribute in her first season at the high school level.

“Our team goals this year are to finish in the top of the league and go on a longer tournament run than any other Covington team has before,” Cain said. “We also have many individual milestones to focus on throughout the year that will help us reach our goals.”

The deepest tournament runs for Covington came in 1989 and 1995 where the Lady Buccs reached the regional finals.