The Thomas Jefferson volleyball team will feature a young group of athletes this fall.
David Soetaert’s Cavaliers have no seniors on this year’s roster.
“We are very young,” Soetaert said. “Only three players can drive themselves to practice.”
Junior outside hitter Nico Carlson, junior libero Yasmina Mokhtar, sophomore outside hitter Alexis Stamps and sophomore setter Mary Nguyen are the team’s top returning players in 2021.
Soetaert listed junior Tannah Grigg (MH), sophomores Sydney Holm (MH) and Nayab Rehman (DS) and freshmen Mayson Solum (S), Lannah Grigg (MH) and Maggie Sutton (DS) as newcomers who could contribute at the varsity level.
Soetaert noted teamwork, communication and patience are going to be the keys to success this fall.
The Cavaliers went 12-14 overall in 2020, finishing as a district runner-up. The program lost five seniors to graduation.
Thomas Jefferson will compete at the Jasper jamboree on Aug. 26. The Cavaliers begin the regular season on Aug. 28 at the Verona Invitational.
The Webb City High School volleyball team returns five key performers from last year’s squad that went 24-8-1 and was the district runner-up.
Webb City coach Rhonda Lawrence noted there’s a lot to like about this year’s team.
“Our girls love to compete,” Lawrence said. “They’re definitely going to make teams work for it. I feel like we’re going to be more balanced this year. They’re going to be fun to watch because they’re scrappy. And I think it will be fun to watch people underestimate us.”
Seniors Makenzie Storm and Kearston Galardo and juniors Brenda Lawrence, Kyah Sanborn and Kate Brownfield all return with prior varsity experience.
Makenzie Storm will once again be a key performer for the Webb City volleyball team.
And those five players are expected to lead the way in 2021.
A middle blocker/middle hitter, Storm recorded 168 kills and 70 blocks last year. Coach Lawrence expects more of the same this year.
“Makenzie brings the hardest work ethic in the room and she touches more balls than a lot of people and that helps out our defense tremendously,” Lawrence said. “She’s hard to hit around.”
A pair of outside hitters, Lawrence contributed 157 kills last fall, while Galardo compiled 134 kills to go with 41 aces in ’20.
“Brenda and Galardo both have a heavy arm,” Lawrence said. “They’ve both gained experience and they know how to find the kill. They’ve gotten a little more crafty.”
Sanborn will be the team’s starting setter.
“Kyah played a ton last year,” Lawrence said. “She’s another athletic kid who will do whatever we need her to do for the team. She brings a lot of trust on the floor. Our girls know they’ll get the best ball they can with Kyah. They know she gives it everything she’s got. She makes it look easy at times.”
Brownfield is another option at outside hitter.
“Kate gained experience playing multiple positions last year and she’s an athletic kid,” Lawrence said. “We’re going to rely on her more this year.”
Sophomore Sophia Crane and juniors Jenna Noel and Madison Graves are candidates for the libero/defensive specialist position.
“Sophia has a great platform and is going to be pivotal,” Lawrence said. “Jenna has stepped it up with her defense and passing. Madi is back with the squad after not playing last year. She passes a good ball. Those three girls are pushing each other in practice right now.”
The Cardinals must overcome the loss of a pair of all-state players in Maddy Peeples and Sage Crane.
Peeples was a standout outside hitter who led the team in kills, while Sage Crane was a defensive specialist who led the team in digs.
Webb City will compete at Mount Vernon’s jamboree on Aug. 26.
The Cardinals host Bentonville West on Aug. 31 in the season opener.
