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.
