Author: Somo Sports

Maddy Peeples will definitely be the go-to player at the net for the Webb City High School volleyball team this fall. 

A 5-foot-9 senior outside hitter, Peeples is coming off a 2019 season in which she earned all-state honors in Class 4 from the Missouri High School Volleyball Coaches Association and first-team all-Central Ozark Conference recognition. 

“She’s worked hard to make an impact and our toughest opponents see that talent level she’s bringing every night,” Webb City coach Rhonda Lawrence said. “She’s a dynamic player that is a threat on offense and defense.”  

Peeples compiled 228 service points, 207 kills, 171 digs and 37 aces during her standout junior season.  

Lawrence noted she expects Peeples to have a superb senior year.  

“I know she wants to be a leader of this next group and leave an even bigger impact on our program than she already has,” Lawrence said. “It’s not just about stats for Maddy. She wants to win and play well for her team. Being able to make that happen for them makes her even happier. She’s the go-to player even more this year. She knows that’s more pressure, but she’s excited to step up.” 

Webb City returns one other player who garnered all-COC honors last year in senior libero Sage Crane. 

The 5-4 Crane earned honorable mention recognition in the COC after recording 255 digs.  

“Sage is captain of the defense at all times,” Lawrence said. “She gets more pressure to help the others and expectations are high for her to have an even better year. Defensively, she understands she keeps the other team from scoring, giving the best ball so our other players can have the best opportunity to score.”  

Lawrence expects Crane to take her level of play to another level this season. 

“She’s just continued to step up each year,” Lawrence said. “She’s fought and is never satisfied, which is key for a defensive player. Her consistency of platform is unmatched.” 

Senior setter Anna Hettinger and senior defensive specialist Abby Stork are Webb City’s other top returning performers. 

Lawrence said the 5-9 Hettinger, who handed out 296 assists last year, will take on a bigger role this fall. 

“She’s grown to be more aggressive and is definitely a threat on the front row too,” she said.  

The 5-8 Stork gives the Cardinals a “dynamic duo” with Crane on the back row. 

“I need both of them to take as many serve-receives or digs as possible,” Lawrence said. “Abby brings some extra energy to the floor for us.”  

Newcomers expected to contribute this season are junior middle hitter Makenzie Storm and sophomore outside hitter Brenda Lawrence. 

“Makenzie has worked extremely hard in the offseason and has become a leader and a calm for everyone when she’s out there,” Coach Lawrence said. “Her long reach makes the back row feel much more comfortable because she touches a lot of balls. Brenda has a heavy arm that everyone will take notice of when she hits the ball. Her power is evident, but she’s growing to be a more multi-threat. She helps take the pressure off of Maddy.”  

Webb City went 28-7 in an outstanding 2019 season. It was one that saw the Cardinals win the Carl Junction Classic and capture a district championship before falling to eventual Class 4 state champion Nixa in the sectional round. 

“Our team was the best example of how a team should work,” Lawrence said. “No one cared who got the credit. We had multiple options that were hard for others to shut down…one of my all-time favorite teams I’ve had because of that. They loved to compete out there to find a way to win.” 

The Cardinals must overcome the loss of four seniors from last year’s squad, including all-conference performer Anna Swearengen, who led the team in kills in ‘19. 

In a big change this season for teams in the Show-Me State, all regular season and postseason matches will use a best-of-five sets format. Tournaments may use a best-of-three format. 

“It’s more playing time for the teams and that will translate to even higher quality of play, especially in our COC,” Lawrence said. “There will have to be some extra care for injury prevention so that we don’t overuse or overtrain the starters. I think it’ll bring more players getting in the game to make an impact so we’re able to maintain efficiency from our ‘go-to’ players.” 

Overall, Lawrence noted the expectations are set high in Webb City. 

“I think this year is an adjustment due to personnel but I’m excited,” she said. “I see some of the young ones starting to really make their mark and building that trust like we had last year. I definitely believe we will surprise some people yet again this year.” 

Webb City is scheduled to host Mount Vernon for a jamboree on Aug. 27.

Carl Junction’s Salma Lewis enters her final prep volleyball campaign as a two-time all-state performer. 

With that, it’s safe to say Lewis will once again lead the Bulldogs on the court. 

A do-it-all 5-foot-10 senior outside hitter, Lewis recorded 466 kills and 213 digs last season, leading a young squad to 18 wins. A Drury University recruit, Lewis earned first-team all-Central Ozark Conference honors in ’19 and was a second-team pick in ’18. 

“She will once again be a go-to player for us,” Carl Junction coach Cheryl Sharples said. “We will look for her to be a leader. She is getting close to breaking the 1,000 (career) kill mark. That doesn’t happen often in high school, so we are excited for her. She can be a dominant player at every skill.” 

Lewis slammed 241 kills during her sophomore season.  

Carl Junction won’t rely on Lewis alone, as the Bulldogs return a solid core from last year’s group that advanced to a district championship game. 

Sophomore setter Logan Jones handed out 817 assists (9.5 per set) and had 173 digs last year in a breakout freshman season that saw her earn second-team all-conference honors.  

Sharples said Jones, who received preseason recognition from PrepVolleyball.com as a top 150 player in the Class of 2023, is an improved player heading into the 2020 campaign. 

“Logan is a very skilled and confident player, so she didn’t fear stepping into a 5-1 and running our offense,” Sharples said. “She is physically stronger. Her attack and blocking are much improved.”  

Other key performers for the Bulldogs are senior middle hitter Jillian Kennedy, junior outside hitter Jessa Hylton and junior libero Olivia Vediz. 

Hylton recorded 241 kills a year ago, while Kennedy had 87 kills and 38 blocks. Hylton led the team with 55 aces, while Vediz had 168 digs last season.  

Juniors Maggie Brown (middle hitter), Abigale Wilson (outside hitter/defensive specialist) and Ellie Lawson (defensive specialist) and sophomore defensive specialist/outside hitter Destiny Buerge are other returning players who are expected to contribute nicely this season. 

Newcomers that may see varsity playing time include sophomores Jocelyn Brown and Chloe Taylor and freshman Kylie Scott.  

As far as the switch to best-of-five set matches, Sharples said she’s in favor of the change. 

“I love it,” she said. “I think it’s great that we have finally made that jump. It will be a test of mental and physical stamina.”  

Another change this fall is an expansion of classifications from four to five. That change will benefit schools like Carl Junction, as the Bulldogs will no longer run into the state’s biggest schools in the postseason.   

Sharples is confident this year’s team has the talent, experience and depth to put together a stellar season. 

“We are looking to have a very strong season and be a contender at the end of October,” she said.  

A pair of three-year starters are expected to lead the way for the Joplin High School volleyball team this fall. 

Seniors Aubrey Ritter and Addison Saunders are both varsity veterans ahead of their final prep seasons.  

And Eagles coach Staci Saunders is confident both players will perform well on the court. 

Ritter is a 5-foot-7 outside hitter. 

“She brings lots of experience and confidence to our team,” Coach Saunders said. “She led our team in kills last year and also does a great job on serve-receive defense.” 

A former outside hitter, the 5-9 Addison Saunders is moving to the setter position this season, where she’ll run the team’s 6-2 offense. 

“This will be her first year moving to setter, but Addison has played setter on her club teams,” Coach Saunders said of her daughter. “She is a leader on and off the court.” 

Joplin also returns three juniors who saw significant varsity playing time last season in Kacy Coss, Angelina Schramm and Allie Lawrence. 

Coss is a 5-11 middle hitter who had some big moments for the team last year.  

“Kacy does a great job seeing the floor and hitting different hits effectively,” Saunders said. “Kacy Coss loves to compete and does a great job hitting different spots on the net.”  

Schramm earned playing time at middle hitter/middle blocker in ‘19. 

“She will be hitting middle and right side for us this year,” Saunders said. “Angelina brings a lot to the floor. She brings charisma and a winning attitude.” 

Lawrence was a defensive specialist a year ago, but will be an outside hitter this season, Saunders said.   

“Allie Lawrence has worked hard in the offseason to move to outside hitter,” Saunders said. “She is a smart player who can get the job done.” 

The three juniors give the Eagles five key returning performers. 

“We have a good group of returning starters or players that played key roles last year,” Saunders said.  

The Eagles will look to a number of varsity newcomers to make an impact. 

For starters, junior Emma Floyd is a transfer from Rolla, as her father Luke is Joplin’s new girls basketball coach.  

“She will make an immediate impact as a middle hitter/blocker,” Saunders said. “We are excited to have her in Joplin.”  

Senior Kaylie Anderson is a possible starter at the libero position after sitting out last season due to a knee injury. 

“She does a great job reading defenses and is a quick and smart player,” Saunders said.  

Seniors Baileigh Riley, Mya Johnson and Shahla Kellhofer are other players Saunders expects to contribute nicely. 

Riley was the JV team’s setter the last two years, while Johnson did not play volleyball in ‘19 in order to play club soccer.  

“Mya will be competing for the outside hitter and defensive specialist positions,” Saunders said. “She is a great player to have. She will play anywhere you need her to play.” 

Kellhofer is another defensive specialist.  

One change in prep volleyball in the state of Missouri this year is the transition to a best-of-five-sets match. 

“It’s time,” Saunders said. “It is going to be an adjustment. We have played Kansas and Arkansas schools that already do it, and it’s just as much a mental toughness adjustment as a physical one.  But we’re excited for the change and ready to start putting in work.” 

Joplin won 13 matches last year and took second at the Neosho Tournament. The Eagles must overcome the loss of two standouts—setter Mari Katheryn Saunders and libero Jeanie Juneweeranong. 

Coach Saunders is confident her squad can have a successful 2020 season. 

“I think we are going to surprise some people,” Saunders said. “We lost 10 games last year by two points. We competed, but did not get the job done in the COC. I expect us to do better in the COC and would love to be competing for a district championship.” 

Saunders noted there’s a lot to like about her team. 

“We have a very selfless group of girls who love to play volleyball,” Saunders said. “They are willing to work hard and work together as a team. If we can continue that team chemistry, I believe we will have a successful season. We are looking forward to this season. These kids are not taking playing volleyball for granted this year.” 

Saunders noted the COVID-19 pandemic limited the team’s summer activities.  

“I feel like I changed our summer schedule 100 times,” Saunders said. “We did not get to do a lot of team activities and play this summer like we have done in the past.”  

Joplin is scheduled to compete at Carthage’s jamboree on Aug. 25.