On Aug. 21, 2025, head coach Brent Carter and the Knoxville Lady Irish volleyball team held an outdoors volleyball doubleheader. (Photo by Danny Parker)
BY DAVE LINK
New season. Same goal.
High School volleyball teams across the state start the season Monday, August 17, although most have been playing during summer months and preseason, per TSSAA rules.
And each team has the same goal: get to the postseason and reel off victories.
Catholic, a perennial state title contender, expects to be in the same position this year.
The Lady Irish won the 2021 state title in Division II-AA and have reached the Final Four each season since then, finishing third at state last year.
Coach Brent Carter expects his Lady Irish to be a contender again this season, barring significant injuries.
“We will serve and pass with any team in the state,” Carter said, “and we have enough weapons to make a run again.”
One of the weapons is senior Mia Kinney, the 2025 5Star Preps Player of the Year and a Vanderbilt commitment.
“She’s one of the top liberos in the country, top three, in her age group,” Carter said.
She’s not the only big-time player in the 5Star Preps coverage area, and Catholic isn’t the only team with big postseason aspirations.
See “TEAM WATCH” and “PLAYER WATCH” in this report.
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