Upperman High School volleyball is prioritizing consistency across all aspects of the program as the team looks to build on last season’s state tournament appearance.
Coach Tori Permenter said the team is focused on maintaining high standards for energy, mentality, and gameplay to ensure another deep postseason run. Permenter said the players have fully embraced the culture established by the coaching staff, which resulted in significant success during her first year leading the program.
“Being consistent in everything that we do with our energy, with our mentality, with our gameplay, everything, you know,” Permenter said, “And making sure that team chemistry is high. And, you know, that’s going to carry us into hopefully a repeat of a state tournament appearance.”
Permenter said the current roster is returning a major core of players, including all three team captains from the previous season. Permenter said the experience of reaching the state tournament has shifted the team’s mindset from hoping to qualify to expecting to compete at that level.
“I think last year when, you know, we got to state, I think the only group that had state tournament experience was the seniors who went as freshmen,” Permenter said. “So to, you know, have that experience last year returning most of our core, they’re hungry for it this year. It’s no more of like, oh, we hope we make it to state, it’s okay, we better make it to state, this is our goal. And they’re hungry for it, so it’s really nice to see.”
Permenter said the coaching staff manages the pressure of high expectations by keeping the players focused on the immediate task at hand. Permenter said the team approaches the season by concentrating on one practice, one game, and one repetition at a time.
“Yeah, the expectations and the pressure is definitely on this year, but we are just taking it one practice at a time,” Permenter said. “And then when we get to games, it’s one game at a time. You know, each practice and each game takes us closer to our goal. It’s our job as a coaching staff to look into the future, it’s their job to take one practice and one game and one rep at a time.”
Permenter said the roster features several decorated returning players, including District MVP and Hitter of the Year Presley Hickman and All-State setter Emery Huddleston. Permenter said the team also relies on senior libero Shayla Burchett, right side EK Pruitt, middle Bella Tidwell, and sophomore Josie Bush.
“We rely on every single one of them in different points of the game, and they deliver,” Permenter said. “Um, I think so, to my knowledge, you know, Shayla Burchett does great in the classroom. You know, she has some big goals as far as being a student-athlete and hopefully getting top in her class, as well as Emery Huddleston. And, you know, they all give back to their community.”
Permenter said the student-athletes participate in community service projects, such as assisting with the Special Olympics special needs volleyball tournament. Permenter said the school maintains a high standard for all sports and she is proud of the work the players do in the classroom and the community.
“You know, we have a great group of student-athletes and I couldn’t be more proud of the school and the teachers that we work with,” Permenter said.
