Greene Central’s Daly Keel gets ready to serve in a matchup with Rosewood Saturday at North Lenoir’s jamboree. Photo by William ‘Bud’ Hardy / Neuse News

By Junious Smith III

LA GRANGE — Greene Central has something to prove in 2019.

The Rams haven’t excelled much in volleyball, failing to make the postseason in more than a decade and coming off a 4-15 last season. This year, Greene Central has a young roster with only two seniors — Daly Keel and Madalyn Radford — but new coach Emily Nelson said there have been plenty of positives throughout.

“It’s still early in the season, and we’ve got room to grow,” Nelson said. “The girls have maintained the same intensity throughout the summer and haven’t lost it — they know I’m very passionate about the sport, and they’ve fed off of each other.”

Nelson was the Rams’ assistant coach last season and the team has made a stronger transition on and off the court according to Keel.

“I feel like we’re a lot closer this season,” Keel said. “Coach definitely pushes us to be the best and there are no days off.”

Radford said the team doesn’t want to emulate the results of 2018.

“We want to have a better record than last year,” Radford said. “We’ve been working hard and growing as a team, practicing every day and getting better.”

Nelson said the team is identifying its strengths and weaknesses as the season opener — Aug. 19 at Farmville Central — is approaching soon.

“We’re just trying to figure out what we need to improve on heading into the season,” Nelson said. “As long as they continued to grow, it will work itself out on the court.”