By Lee Davis
Spain Park’s Karlee Moss admits there was a time when she didn’t take volleyball all that seriously.
“When I was in sixth grade, playing softball was about the only thing I ever thought about,” she recalled. “Then a friend and I signed up for volleyball as a total joke. But I made the team, and before long I realized that volleyball was the game I wanted to play.”
Moss may have started playing volleyball as a joke, but the Lady Jaguars’ opponents haven’t been amused. She entered her senior season as one of the area’s finest players. As a middle blocker, Moss completed the regular season with 267 kills, 246 digs and 23 aces in leading Spain Park to a 16-12 record entering the Class 7A Area Six tournament this week.
“Before the season, I knew we would have a good, talented team,” Moss said. “We play a very tough schedule, so I was pleased with our record, and I think we’ll step it up even more for the post-season.”
Moss said almost all volleyball players turned the intensity level up in the playoffs.
“It’s a mindset,” she explained. “Reaching the post-season is what you’re working for during practice in the summer and throughout the regular season. Everybody gets excited when we move toward the area tournaments and beyond.”
Both Moss and Spain Park seem to be peaking at the right time. She had 55 kills with 57 digs and 24 blocks as the Lady Jaguars took first place in the Silver Bracket of the prestigious Margaret Blalock Tournament earlier this month.
“I think that showing will give us a lot of confidence for the rest of the way,” Moss said.
If Spain Park makes a strong run toward the Class 7A Elite Eight, it’s likely that Moss will be a big part of it.
“Karlee is one of our strongest players,” Lady Jag coach Kellye Bowen said. “She competes hard every time she steps on the floor. She’s a great young lady with a great work ethic.”
Moss said she relies on her wits more than physical strength.
“I don’t have great power, but I do play smart,” she explained. “I have a sense of where everyone is on the court. It’s all about putting the ball where the people aren’t.”
Her cerebral approach extends to the classroom. An excellent student, Moss’ favorite subject is math.
“I guess that’s a good thing because there are so many statistics in volleyball,” she said, laughing.
Other key Spain Park players are seniors Olivia Smith, Emily Colpack, Naomi Pitts, Caroline Francis, Christina Renta, Ellie Norton and Ali Close; juniors Marlee Johnson and Caroline Horton; and sophomores Sha’Kevia Hogan and Maddie Dease.
“We really work together well as one unit,” Moss said. “I’m going to miss them a lot when I graduate.”
Moss’ time as a Lady Jaguar may be drawing to a close, but she hopes her volleyball career isn’t finished. She expects to play for the University of Montevallo next season.
“I’d love to keep playing,” she said. “It’s hard to imagine anything more fun and challenging than being able to play volleyball in college.”
Regardless of what’s ahead for Spain Park in 2016, Karlee Moss’ volleyball career was definitely no joke.
