It’s no secret that Williamson County – and more specifically, District 11-AAA – is dominant in high school volleyball.
Nolensville has won three straight state championships, the most recent of which came in Class AAA. Ravenwood is a regular contender and finished as the runner-up to Nolensville last year. Then there’s Brentwood, the 16-time state champion that won eight consecutive titles from 2013-20.
As if the area volleyball scene wasn’t already competitive enough, Franklin (24-5) has emerged this season with plans to give Williamson County’s best a run for their money.
The Admirals finished 7-15 with just one district win in 2021, but that’s a distant memory now.
“Coach (MaKayla) Beebe called it a losing mentality that we all kind of had,” junior outside hitter Dylann Garner said. “This year has been a quick turnaround. We didn’t want to be that same team.”
Beebe arrived last season with a rebuilding job to do. The former Lee University volleyball standout and Aurora University assistant coach took over a Franklin team that hadn’t enjoyed a winning season since 2016.
Changes had to be made, especially on the mental side. Lack of talent wasn’t the problem.
“What’s changed from last year to this year is the whole mindset and attitude of the program,” Beebe said. “It’s been a complete 180. I attribute that to the girls. They come every day, work hard and are all on the same track as far as our goal and what we want to do.”
The results speak for themselves.
Franklin has collected wins over Brentwood, Ensworth, Hillsboro and Ravenwood, dropping just 19 sets all season. The Admirals also took Nolensville to the wire in a 3-2 loss on Sept. 13.
Senior middle blocker Abigail Swartz credited Beede for helping the program regain its edge. Franklin last advanced to the state tournament in 2015.
“She pushes us every day to limits that we didn’t even know we could go to,” said Swartz, a Centre College commitment. “There are no off days with Coach Beebe. She pushes us to do our best, but we also know if we ever need anything, we can go to her.”
Garner (258) and Oakland University commitment Taryn Roberts (204) lead the Admirals in kills. North Dakota State commitment Layla Haritatos has contributed 255 digs in her first season with the team. Setters Zanne Logue (429 assists) and Ellie Sigler (338) keep the offense flowing.
That group has matched Williamson County’s powerhouses step-for-step this year.
“It’s great volleyball. These girls go on and play at great schools in college,” Beebe said. “You have to show up every single time expecting to work. There’s not an easy game, really.”
Franklin gets another crack at Nolensville (34-4) on Thursday in the regular-season finale for both teams. The Admirals will either be the No. 2 or 3 seed for next week’s District 11-AAA tournament.
The players believe they’re ready for the challenge.
“We have to have confidence, and I think that’s something that we’ve grown into this season,” Garner said. “We know we are good. Now we just have to prove it to people.”
