For most coaches in 2019, coaching travel ball driven players means adjusting your routine on the fly.

It’s not that way for Southside coach Natalie Throneberry, though.

“It’s a delicate balance,” she said. “Not every player is the same. We know we have some kids playing in Nationals, which bleeds over to July. If we need to nurse some shoulders or have some down time, we’ll do that.

“But these kids are ready to go once we put the (volleyball) nets up.”

The Mavericks, who reached the 6A finals a year ago, where they lost to Conway, lost three key players to graduation — Hannah Holland, Emily Bass and Sarah Tolbert. The trio not only contributed to the flow of the game, but were invaluable leaders off the floor as well.

But Southside, which begins the 2019 season in earnest with fall practice July 18, has plenty of fire-power coming back, including juniors Avery Fitzgerald, Aleigha Johnson, Hannah Hogue and Hayley Hall.

Southside opens the season Aug. 27 against Van Buren.

“Our girls, a lot of them are pedal to the metal in travel ball,” she said. “We have camp coming up next week for younger kids in elementary school and junior high. Our kids are helping work it. I’m excited for them. I’m happy to see the transition for them.”

Next week will spell the end of morning workouts and afternoon practices. With dead period, a three-week span from June 24-July 8, an inactive span where coaches are not allowed to have contact with athletes.


“Once dead period is over we’ll hit the ground running,” Throneberry said. “That senior group was special, but we have a very solid group of junior and seniors coming back.”

The Mavericks will have some key sophomore pieces as well.

Throneberry is excited to see newcomers Olivia Melton and Toree Tiffee.

“Absolutely,” she said. “I’m eager to get them into the mix with the other players. It will be good to have them on our campus.”

Southside will host team camp July 30-Aug. 1.

The Mavericks will begin their final trek through the 6A-Central beginning Sept. 5 at Conway.

The team’s first four scheduled regular season matches are against teams — Van Buren, Fayetteville, Greenwood and Conway — who combined for 93 wins in 2018.
