Dyersburg one win away from a ticket to the big dance

Sometimes it just feels good to say -- I told you so.

For the last couple of weeks, to say the Lady Trojan volleyball team has been on a roll is putting it mildly. Words of praise for the talented squad are easy to come by, and today the team is one win away from every high school squad's ultimate preseason goal -- playing for a state championship.

On Tuesday the squad had even the most faithful of supporters sweating bullets after falling behind by two sets to an equally talented Crockett County squad.

Refusing to lose is about all one can say to sum up the effort shown against the Lady Cavaliers, but I've seen it before. As a matter of fact it's kind of like déjà vu all over again.

In different sports I've witnessed over the years, you just get a feeling about certain squads. In most cases, even the best of teams fall in one way or another, but those that continue to find a way to win are the ones sure to be standing when all is said and done.

Simply put, we are blessed that in any given year squads participating in sports, whether it's at DHS or DCHS, have a way of gaining supporters on their way to playing for the ultimate prize.

I've seen it in football, basketball, baseball and yes, now even in volleyball.

The crowd on Tuesday night for the Region 7 tourney was outstanding. Even got a good laugh out of Lady Trojan basketball coach Randy Coffman about volleyball crowds giving basketball crowds a run for their money.

Speaking of Coffman, seeing respective coaches from different sports on hand to support the efforts of the volleyball team was a good sight and for good reason, yes, these girls can flat-out play.

Sure, I've been saying it for a little while now, but after winning district and region titles in back-to-back weeks, I'm going out on a limb and saying the squad will be one of 12 teams making a trip to the 'Boro with aspirations of returning as state champions.

After watching the team rally from a two-set deficit in the title game, it didn't take long before I began wondering what day the state tournament will begin next week.

Sure, there is a sectional, or sub-state, game to be played on Thursday, and though certainly not trying to put the cart before the horse, but this squad's destiny just may include a trip to the big dance.

When the final point was scored, the looks of happiness on the faces of the young ladies was worth the price of admission. They gave it all they had and then some and the result was a hard-earned victory over a talented Crockett County team that may just wind up advancing to the dance as well.

Upon arriving back at the office to put the story and photos together, the thoughts of another talented squad from DHS came to mind. As I stood looking at the photo of the 2005 Lady Trojan basketball team, I communicated to Alex Morgan that the 2009 volleyball team reminded me a lot of the young ladies in the photo hanging on the wall.

Hanging on the photo were the different media passes used in Murfreesboro during the 2005 tournament and one brand new one received on Monday. The newest pass is for the 2009 Volleyball State Tournament -- something tells me I'm going to need it.

Your comments are welcome at msmith@ stategazette.com