As Bradyn Webb begins her first head coaching adventure at Carthage High School, she’ll have a familiar face close by on the sideline—her mother.
Sarah Wall, Bradyn’s mother and former prep coach at Carl Junction, has joined her daughter’s staff as an assistant coach, bringing decades of coaching experience with her.
“She has been amazing,” Webb said of her mother. “She can answer any question that I have. We are loving coaching together.”
An assistant at rival Webb City last year, Webb is taking over the reins of the CHS program after Olivia Cooley resigned after one season.
“The transition has been great,” Webb said. “I knew I wanted this position and I was prepared for it. It also helps that I have an experienced coaching staff to help me and our team.”
The former Bradyn Wall (now Bradyn Webb after a recent marriage) had a standout prep career at Carl Junction, earning all-state, all-district and all-conference recognition as a setter.
She helped the Bulldogs to an overall record of 109-21-12, including a 29-0 mark in Big 8 Conference play.
Webb holds school records for assists in a career (2,159), assists in a season (851) and assists in a match (40). She was the Big 8 Player of the Year as a senior after compiling 647 assists, 190 digs, 163 service points and 41 aces.
After high school, Webb joined the team at Missouri Southern, playing setter and defensive specialist. Injuries forced her to retire as an athlete during her senior year, but she earned MIAA Academic Honor Roll recognition three times at MSSU.
Webb, who holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, is a fifth grade teacher at Carthage Intermediate Center, is also assisted by Chloe Allmoslecher and Heather McConnell.
Sarah Wall earned 365 prep volleyball victories at Webb City, Midwest City (Okla.) and Carl Junction.
The Co-Club Director of MVP Volleyball, Wall has also been a volunteer assistant coach at Pittsburg State. In nine years at Carl Junction, Wall’s Bulldogs won 203 matches, captured six district titles and were the Big 8 Conference champs six times. The Bulldogs were the Class 3 runner-up in 2013.
TEAM OUTLOOK
The Tigers lost a talented senior class that was led by standout outside hitter Alexa Boyle, who is now playing at Pittsburg State. Boyle compiled 381 kills, 250 digs and 54 aces last season, earning first-team all-Central Ozark Conference honors.
Senior setter Chloe Black returns to run the team’s offense. The 5-foot-6 Black earned honorable mention all-Central Ozark Conference recognition after handing out 722 assists a year ago.
Senior Grace Schriever (5-7) and junior Sydnee Dudolski (5-10) are returning outside hitters with varsity experience, while junior Sophie Shannon (6-1) and sophomore Brielle Cartwright (5-10) are newcomers who could contribute from the outside hitter or middle blocker spots.
Defensive specialist Rylee Anderson is another senior, while Emma Brown (DS), Tess Schrader (OH), Tasha Schrader (OH), Olivia Bourgault (DS) and Grace Pickering (MH) are other juniors competing for varsity spots.
Webb noted practices have been going well.
“We are a very competitive group,” she said. “The girls are hungry to win.”
Carthage is scheduled begin the season at the Bentonville Tournament on Aug. 29. The Tigers will host a jamboree with Joplin, Nevada and Aurora at 6 p.m. on Aug. 25.
