Three Caldwell sisters aid Pineville program rise

Some schools in Kentucky did not offer volleyball until just recently. The Pineville Lions did not start their program until 2016.   Pineville has had the same head coach during that time in Sam North. It is just that only high school girls could play on the team for those first several years even though Kentucky allows seventh and eighth graders to play up to varsity on every sports except soccer and football. As a result, those players first hit the court as freshmen playing against opponents who had players that started in elementary school.   The Lions only made the region tournament once in the first five seasons in 2017, which is also the only time Pineville's win total hit double digits until 2021. North said Pineville started allowing allowing middle school players on the varsity team in 2020 then the school started the middle school program in 2021 followed by an elementary team the next year. As a result, the Lions have gone to the 13th Region Tournament four years in a row and won the 51st District championship for the first two times in program history these last two seasons.   The program's next step is winning that first region tournament game. In five 13th Region quarterfinal games, Pineville has managed to win just two sets in a 3-2 loss against Harlan County in 2023.   Junior twin sisters MacKenzie Caldwell (Number 22) and MaKayla Caldwell (Number 55) were seventh graders that first year Pineville let middle schoolers play on the high school teams. They first made the varsity team as sophomores in 2023 and a younger sister in freshman [player_tooltip player_id='608900' first='Jaycee' last='Caldwell'] (Number 5) joined them this past season, helping Pineville go a school record 25-13, eclipsing the previous record of 18 wins in a season set the previous year.   All three sisters play defensive specialist. In Part 6 of the Kentucky Tales of Sisterhood series, the Caldwell sisters talked about growing up playing volleyball together, the next steps for the program and other details.   Growing Up Playing Volleyball with Sisters   MacKenzie: The most enjoyable thing about playing volleyball with my sisters is being able to play the same position as them. It makes playing at home and in practices more fun!   MaKayla: I've enjoyed the bond that we have built, friendly competition, and the time we have spent together on the court. The shared victories and even the tough losses have made the most unforgettable memories.   Jaycee: Definitely being able to bond with my sisters over the sport, we talk about how we can get better and even practice at home. It just brings us together more and I really do love that.   Growth of Program   MacKenzie: The greatest growth that I have seen is how much each of our attitudes have changed during practices and games. Winning district titles back-to-back is huge and has given our team a big boost of confidence.   MaKayla: I like to see how each of us has grown every year and watching new people love the sport I love the most. I also like to watch the team accomplish new things each year.   Jaycee: The greatest growth has been mine and my team's confidence. Winning back-to-back district titles has most definitely given all of us more confidence in ourselves.   Resolving Issues   MacKenzie: I like being able to talk to my teammates about the problems. Being able to communicate is huge in volleyball.   MaKayla: Strong communication, mutual respect, and focus on situations are keys. You can not let small things build up. You have to solve them before they become bigger problems.    Jaycee: Trying not to blame one another is a big key to trying to fix the problem. I feel like that's what is special about our team is that we like to work together and communicate instead of being against each other.   Pre-Game Superstitions or Rituals   MacKenzie: After having a good game, I wear my hair in the same hairstyle for every game after that. If I change my hairstyle after having that good game, I don't play well.   MaKayla: The first time I have a good game I will wear that same hairstyle every game. Every game me and twin stand behind each other during the national anthem.   Jaycee: I always take a 30-minute nap before every home game. If it's an away game I always get McDonald's or some fast food with my best friend Madelyn.    Sound Defensive Play   MacKenzie: When being a defensive specialist you need to be active and have good communication. Often when I'm not communicating with my teammates, we are running into each other or when I'm not active I'm missing the ball.   MaKayla: You need to have good communication with everyone. You always need to be ready to help your teammates.   Jaycee: While being a defensive specialist, you always need to be on your toes and always communicate with your teammates. If you don't communicate then you are going to run into each other and cause a disaster.    Keys to First 13th Region Tournament Win   MacKenzie: It's about being able to work together as team. Just about every time we have made it to region, we have been right there but just haven't been able to get over the hump.   MaKayla: We need to come into the game with a good attitude no matter who our opponent is. We also have to have good communication and give it our all.   Jaycee: Just being a team and working together. The five times we have been to region we have been so close but weren't able to pull it off.   Finishing Strong as Seniors   MacKenzie: Unfortunately, my junior season didn't start the way I wanted it to coming into the season with a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus. Throughout the season I was able to work hard during therapy and outside of therapy. I was able to play in the last six games. This season I would like to start and finish healthy. I hope to have a good winning season to finish out my senior year.   MaKayla: I plan to stay focused, maintain good team chemistry, and give my best effort. No matter what, it's about appreciating the journey and making the most of every game.    Big Splash as Freshman   Jaycee: Being a freshman on varsity was definitely tough because I had a lot of pressure on me. But my key to getting that many digs in just one season was to always go hard in practice no matter what and to always be serious, stay focused and to always push myself.    General Areas of Focus in Off-Season   Jaycee: I need to get better at a little bit of everything. But the thing I need to really focus on is my defense. That would include learning how to block on time, and learning how to read the ball better.    Note from Mom   I like the bond and connection they have together on the court from high fives to cheering from the bench. Then after each game they express what each other can do to improve their game to better help the team. - Mom (Ashley Caldwell)    Pineville head coach Sam North said Caldwell is one of the most elite defenders on the team, digging up balls that should be kills. Caldwell missed most of 2024 with injuries, but North said she came back in and contributed once cleared to play. North said she'd like to see Caldwell grow as a hitter. North added that while good on defense, she'd love to see her more in the front row and developing the attack is key to it.     North described Caldwell as an excellent defender noting she puts her body on the line doing whatever is necessary to get balls up. North commended Caldwell for consistently lifting the team up whether in the game or not. North added she's been working on serving more consistently and that could come in handy for the team this fall.     Pineville head coach Sam North describes Caldwell as a true utility player. North said she's placed Caldwell at outside, middle, defensive specialist and libero and Caldwell's been able to contribute at all those positions. North also said she likes how Caldwell lifts up her teammates on the court. Caldwell goes hard after balls and squares her arms up to them to make sound two to three-point passes. North added she'd really like to see Caldwell improve her blocking since the team graduates a lot of height in the spring and will need her to hop more into that role. Caldwell had 189 digs this past season, helping Pineville go a school record 25-13 with a second straight 51st District title.    Note from the Writer   Mike Graham has been writing for Prep Dig for one year and has enjoyed getting to know the volleyball scenes in both Kentucky and Ohio. If you liked the story, please copy and paste to X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. You may also follow us at @prepdigkentucky or @prepdigoh on Instagram in addition to @PrepDigKy or @PrepDigOH on X. If you feel someone in Kentucky or Ohio needs coverage, please email Mike at pnmikeg@yahoo.com. You may also follow him on X @GMCgrah or Instagram @g.michaelgraham. Subscriptions give you access to exclusive content. For a 30% discount, enter code graham30 at checkout.

Some schools in Kentucky did not offer volleyball until just recently. The Pineville Lions did not start their program until 2016.