By Chris Parker

Fall 2019 Preview: Mt. Vernon Volleyball

By Chris Parker

Mt. Vernon volleyball went 17-16-1 and 3-3 in conference in the first season of the new alignment for the Big 8.

“The level of play in the east side of the Big 8 is faster than what we had been accustomed to in the past. We have worked over the off-season to better our ball control in order to speed up our game as well,” Mt. Vernon head coach Bridgett Schmutz said.

Lacy Stokes is the lone returning all-conference player for Mt. Vernon. She was named honorable mention all-conference for her work as a setter and hitter. Stokes led the Lady Mountaineers with 324 assists and was third in digs with 255.

“Lacy is a tremendous athlete. She didn’t play volleyball until her eighth grade year so coming in and starting since her freshman year, in such a technical position like a setter, speaks to her athleticism,” Schmutz said. “Over the past two seasons she has really learned the game, she is now seeing from a true ‘quarterback’ mentality not just using her speed and agility to get the job done. She has started to truly run the offense.”

Junior Ellie Johnston will be a versatile weapon after leading Mt. Vernon in kills (175), second in digs (431) serve-receives (255) and blocks (10) and third in aces (29).

“Ellie has so much volleyball talent. She can play any position on the floor and we asked her to do a lot last season. As her confidence grows she will be hard to stop,” Schmutz said.

Four seniors return with varsity experience including Raelin Swillum, Bethany Williams, Raegan Prescott, Madison Lacey.

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Swillum was the Lady Mountaineers’ other setter last year with 317 assists. She has started since her freshman year.

“She has been utilized as a setter for three seasons but with the graduation of our all-state libero we may transition her to a defensive specialist. Raelin brings leadership, positivity and a team first mentality to our program. She has worked hard this off-season and moving to the left side of the floor has been a natural transition,” Schmutz said.

Williams returns after missing much of her junior season due to injury.

“Bethany Williams started as a sophomore but missed a bulk of her junior season due to injury. After having surgery this spring she has worked extremely hard to get back to playing at a high level. Beth brings so much fire and energy to the floor and has had a great finish to her summer,” Schmutz said.

Sophomore Cameryn Cassity saw significant varsity time when she stepped into the lineup for Williams last season.

“Cameryn Cassity stepped into Bethany’s shoes after her injury last year and instantly made a big impact. She was named to the all-district team and we looked for her to continue her solid contribution in all six rotations on the court,” Schmutz said.

Cassity will be joined by a strong group of classmates that went undefeated in middle school. Raegan Boswell will share in the setting duties. Hailey Eldridge returns after tearing her labrum in in the second week of practice last season. Solai Pham (defensive specialist) and Hadley Cornell (setter/hitter) are two more sophomores that will push for playing time.

“We are extremely balanced, while we may not have a ton of size we have a solid player at every position. I look for our balanced offense to be the catalyst for our success. The atmosphere in our gym is one of unity, and if we continue to keep our team first mentality then I think we will have a fun season,” Schmutz said.

Mt. Vernon will host a jamboree with Clever, College Heights and Webb City on Aug. 29. The Lady Mountaineers will open the regular season on Sept. 3 at Fair Grove.