After securing a spot in the MHSAA volleyball playoffs two weeks ago, Kosciusko head coach Lauren Peresich said she was not worried about her players checking out mentally for the duration of the regular season.
The Lady Whippets proved their first-year head coach right with their five-set win against Class 6A Columbus last Thursday. The win was the second this season against Columbus, and it gave the Lady Whippets the series sweep.
“We’re just finishing the last couple of games and getting ready for the playoffs,” Peresich said. “Everybody that we’re playing from here on out we’ve played before, and so we’re just really focusing on one game at a time. And once the season’s finished, we can focus on the playoffs.”
Kosciusko (7-4, 4-2 Region 4-4A) last week participated in Dig Pink, a breast cancer awareness promotion that acknowledged those who have battled the disease. For Peresich and her Lady Whippets, they had added incentive to perform well against the Lady Falcons.
“They really had something to fight for this last game — everybody there that had breast cancer,” she said. “We recognized them, and I feel like this last game they were fighting for that cause. Trying to get the win for the school and their team.”
The Lady Whippets will host Winston Academy for senior night on Thursday. Kosciusko defeated Winston Academy in five sets on Sept. 5.
Tameelah Gladney and Laken Milner are the lone Lady Whippets’ seniors. Peresich thanked and acknowledged them for their efforts in making this year — Kosciusko’s first as a volleyball program — a success.
“They’re great leaders on and off the court,” Peresich said. “They help out with the team in any situation they need. They’re great big sisters to the team. They’re great leaders and great examples all around.”
Senior night carries special significance for Peresich. She arrived at Kosciusko two years ago when Gladney and Milner were sophomores.
“This whole class has a special place in my heart because they were 10th graders when I started at Kosciusko,” Peresich said. “So this 10th-grade class that is graduating this year will always have a special place in my heart since they’re my first class.”
Kosciusko will travel to Noxapater for its regular-season finale on Oct. 15. As of now, Peresich believes the Lady Whippets will draw Greenwood in the first round of the playoffs. She said her team will use these final two weeks to correct a few deficiencies ahead of the postseason.
“We’re just trying to clean some stuff up,” she said. “With the playoffs, since we’re No. 2 in the district, we’ll be playing a team that’s No. 1 in their district, so we’re just looking to clean some stuff up before we have to play somebody we haven’t seen yet.”
