The West Plains High School Lady Zizzers soccer team’s Head Coach, Jada Martin, will get another chance to prove how fierce the Zizzers are as the team prepares to bring shock and awe to the 2022 season. With almost her whole team returning from last year, Martin plans to do just that.
“We spent most of last year outlining the base and learning the game, so this year my goal is to continue to build our foundation,” said Martin. With a successful soccer playing career under her belt, Martin feels well equipped to steer the Zizzer ship through the rough waters of the Ozark Conference. While, it is her first time at the helm, Martin began her soccer coaching career three years ago as an assistant for the boys’ team.
“I’ve played soccer my whole life,” said Martin who proved herself on the field with the Zizzers as a goalie and center midfielder.
While the team lost four important players to graduation, Coach Martin feels confident in the younger players who got the opportunity to learn from those experienced players.
A big problem with a cancelled season is the younger players of any sport. Freshmen, for example, don’t the crucial experience of being eased into that level of play. So basically, they are freshmen for a second time. This is true across all sports, not just soccer.
“I finally get the chance to coach a soccer team, the thing I have wanted to do since I was very young,” said Martin. “We do have a very young team this year, but we also have some strong returning players who will hopefully lead us and help us grow as individuals and as a team.”
Returning players include senior captain Kylie Kittrell, a natural leader who ran the Lady Zizzer defense and earned the defense award for the year. Senior Brynn Watson returns as goalie after a year averaging seven saves per game. “Brynn never gives up,” said Martin. “She tries over and over again. She’s a quick learner and is never afraid to react.”
Sophomores Lexus Casey, Isabella Ovalle, Kennedy Keller, and Baleigh Miller are also back.
“Last year, we started with a brand-new group, and so it took a few games to become a team,” said Martin. “But once we did, we really grew. I will expect more unity this coming season, and I have high expectations for Kittrell, Ovalle, and Casey. All three are great leaders. Kittrell leads our defense, while Casey and Ovalle lead our offense. If we can focus on our passing and ball skills, I have no doubt we would put up great competition.”
