Lady Bearcats under new, proven leadership for 2012

DEXTER -- After over a decade away from the game Carmen Morgan will be taking over the Dexter Lady Bearcats volleyball program this season, providing the Lady Bearcats with a proven pedigree and a wealth of experience.

When she retired from coaching in 2001, Morgan left the game having guiding Clearwater to the most successful run in it's school history. Morgan started with the school in 1984 and helmed the Lady Tigers to four state championships.

Having thought her coaching days were behind her, Morgan credits a move to the southeast Missouri area with helping her decision to get in the game.

"We moved over to Benton, got over here and had some people tell me Dexter needed a volleyball coach," Morgan said. "I really had no intention of coming back to coach, but I love it. It's my passion so I thought let's give it a try and see what happens."

Morgan inherits a team that posted a 19-10-2 record in 2011, falling in two sets to rival Notre Dame in the Class 3, District 1 tournament semifinals to end their season.

Though they lose four seniors, the Lady Bearcats return plenty of girls that saw playing time last year, including starters Brittany Harris and Hannah Noe.

With the season just a week away, Morgan said practice has been going well, but a busy start to the year will test her squad.

"We'll have our first game on Aug. 27 and I'm pretty sure we won't be where I consider ready," Morgan said. "Either good or bad news, depending on the way you look at it, we have a game on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and then go into the Cape Notre Dame tournament Friday and Saturday.

"So, we have one day to get in the gym and work on things. Once you get them in game situations you see all the things you need to work on. I wish we had another day in there we could come back to work on things."

Dexter kicks off their season on Monday, Aug.27 when they host the Richland Lady Rebels at 6 p.m.

Lady Bearcats Schedule

8/27 Richland, 6 p.m.

8/28 @Kennett, 6 p.m.

8/30 @Jackson, 6 p.m.

8/31-9/1 @Notre Dame Volleyball Fest, TBD

9/4 Cape Central, 6 p.m.

9/6 NMCC, 6 p.m.

9/7-9/8 @Show Me Center Volleyball Classic, TBD

9/10 Bloomfield, 6 p.m.

9/11 @Scott City, 6 p.m.

9/13 Bernie, 6 p.m.

9/17 @Woodland, 6 p.m.

9/20 @Bell City, 6 p.m.

9/24 @Advance, 6 p.m.

9/25 Leopold, 6 p.m.

9/27 Sikeston, 6 p.m.

10/1 Puxico, 6 p.m.

10/4 @Poplar Bluff, 6 p.m.

10/8-10/12 SCAA Tournament, TBD

10/15 @Notre Dame, 6 p.m.