By Josh Hall
Steve Voyak knows the summer season doesn’t mean much when it comes to wins and losses.
But the Southwest High School volleyball coach can’t help but be optimistic after the Lady Trojans had already collected 10 wins through the end of June with seven more to play in a 30-game schedule.
“Can that translate to the fall?” Voyak asked. “We’ll see. But it’s encouraging and I think the girls are optimistic. They’ve got to believe, too.”
Southwest went 9-18-1 last season after falling to Marionville in the first round of the Class 2, District 10 tournament.
The Lady Trojans lose three Ozark 7 all-conference players from that squad, including Brianna Learned (first team), Rebekah McKeever (second team) and Sydney Delassantos (honorable mention). Also gone from that team is Sydney Leroy.
“We’re turning over the team, for sure,” Voyak said. “But I’m absolutely optimistic. I think we can compete.”
CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL OF THE FALL SPORTS PREVIEWS
That group of seniors led Southwest in multiple categories.
Learned was first in kills (116), second in receptions (202) and assists (95), and third in digs (303). McKeever led in receptions (235) and aces (38), and was second in digs (308). Delassantos had a team-leading 314 digs, to go along with 134 receptions, while Leroy added 140 receptions and 230 digs.
“Even though we lost a lot, we still have quite a bit coming back,” Voyak said. “We think we’re going to be able to compete.”
Myka Cook will move from the middle to the outside after the 5-foot-10 senior was second on the team last season with 100 kills. It will be Cooks third year as a starter for Southwest.
Allison Serrano (senior) and Heather Winds (junior) are back as setters. Serrano recorded 101 assists in 2016, while Winds was close behind with 85.
Senior middle Hailey Benniger, along with fellow junior middle hitters, Mariah Munday and Maggie Robbins, will also play significant roles.
New to the mix will be Mariah Long (senior outside hitter), Lacey Reeves (junior defensive specialist), Jacey Ball (junior outside hitter), Khole Holder (freshman setter) and Bonnie Rubbins (freshman outside hitter).
“I’ve seen improvement,” Voyak said of the summer season. “And this has been really helpful – the girls have been really committed. Nobody is missing practice. Everybody is here. The girls are working hard, and that’s all I can ask for as a coach.”
