One goal: Play into November
Digging for a return to state
Anderson County rising senior Bethany Lowe drops low to dig a serve while teammate Emerie Bullock backs up the play during a 2025 season match. Lowe and Bullock will be key returning leaders as the Lady Mavericks set their sights on another deep postseason run in the 2026 volleyball season. (photo:Tony Cox )
The Lady Mavericks have their sights set on the Class AAA state tournament in Murfreesboro.
“You know where we want to be when the time comes,” said Smith, who begins her 17th season as Anderson County’s head coach. “We want to be playing in the state tournament.
“But we have to get past our district and our region to get a chance to get there.”
The Lady Mavericks finished 23-17 in 2025, while steadily improving throughout the season.
That culminated with the District 3-AAA tournament championship after entering as the No. 5 seed.
After a difficult start, Anderson County advanced to the Region 2-AAA tournament championship match before falling to District 4-AAA champion William Blount.
The Lady Mavericks’ season ended with a loss to Dobyns-Bennett in the Class AAA sectional round.
“Last year, we peaked at the right time and we won the district tournament, and I think we were a five seed,” Smith said. “We lost in the region championship to William Blount, and I think that put us in a pretty good position, but we lost to Dobyns-Bennett.
“It was tough last year when we were trying to figure it out,” Smith said. “But our kids never gave up. They just never quit.”
Smith hopes her team can build on last season’s late surge, although she expects another challenging start in 2026.
“They’ve done this for a year, so they know what it takes to play against the big teams,” Smith said. “They know what to expect.
“We may have a tough start again this year, but we have good players and we have good assistant coaches,” she said.
“They’re all good kids, and they know that everybody on the team is important. It’s not about individuals here. They may get frustrated, and they may need a break sometimes, but they’re not going to give up and they’re not going to quit.”
Top returners for the Lady Mavericks include senior defensive specialist Emerie Bullock, senior outside hitter Bethany Lowe, senior defensive specialist Delaney Long, junior setter Julia Owens, junior middle blocker Khloe Wilkerson and junior middle blocker Lilly McCormick.
Key newcomers are junior middle blocker/right-side hitter Addison Thames, junior outside hitter Kinleigh Hood, junior outside hitter Shay Myers and junior defensive specialist Ansley Freeman.
Anderson County has its eyes on another district championship, but Smith knows the path won’t be easy.
Clinton, Knox Central, Oak Ridge, Gibbs and Halls are all expected to contend in District 3-AAA.
“Our district will get us ready to play those big games,” Smith said.
