Fall 2019 Preview: McDonald County Volleyball

By Chris Parker

McDonald County volleyball is pointing the right direction with Logan Grab entering her second season as head coach of the program.

The Lady Mustangs have won just three total matches over the last two seasons. Grab, who won a district title for McDonald County as a player in 2006, is looking to bring back the success from year’s past.

The success in 2006 started with off-season dedication.

“Reflecting back on that (2006 district title) I look how we functioned as a team. We spent a lot of time together. We were in the gym all the time whether we were in season or not. We haven’t seen that a lot. We have had athletes being seasonal athletes and not putting in enough time outside of just the regular season,” Grab said. “As soon as we were done with our season last October, almost every single one of our players on our varsity team now played on a club team through the month of April. That in itself is a huge asset to helping build our program back much stronger.”

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Four seniors return this year with senior outside hitter Adyson Sanny leading the way.

“She has started to build her confidence and come on this year and be able to put the ball away for us,” Grab said.

She will be joined at outside hitter by junior Katelyn Ferdig.

“She plays all the way around for us. We can rely on her to serve well, pass well, hit and pretty much everything,” Grab said.

Fellow junior Kaycee Factor will be a key on the defense at libero.

“She has come into her own. Coming in as a freshman and playing libero like she did a couple years ago is a lot to take on. She has really grown into that position and has become a leader for us on the back row especially,” Grab said.

Middle hitting juniors Shye Factor and Sydnie Sanny will be two more names to watch on the varsity squad along with classmate Erin Cooper at setter.

Wins and losses won’t necessarily define success for this year’s McDonald County volleyball team.

“I think success for us is being able to walk on and off the court, whether it is a win or a loss, as a team and know that we have given it our all even if it doesn’t shake out in our favor,” Grab said.

McDonald County opens the season on Sept. 3 at Carthage.