Fall 2019 Preview: Neosho Volleyball

By Chris Parker

Neosho volleyball fielded a young team with just one senior last year. The Lady Wildcats finished 6-25-1 overall playing in a tough Central Ozark Conference.

Experience gained in 2018 should pay off in 2019.

“Our young kids got lots of experience from being on the floor. While it was tough, we chose to use it as an opportunity to improve. They were put in a situation that challenged, demanded, and pushed. They worked every day rise to the occasion. When it worked it was a really good feeling and when it didn’t it was a lesson we could learn from. Experience is a great teacher,” head coach Ann Landrum said.

Landrum has seen growth in many areas for her returning players.

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“Growth as overall players, fundamental skill improvement, increase in understanding the overall game, and the willingness to push. They seem less fearful of making mistakes, of competing when they step on the floor and on focusing on more consistent play,” Landrum said.

Seniors Ashley Sims, Emma Hames, Riley Funk and Kayli Hurst along with juniors Savannah Merriman, Brylee King, Melia Robertson, Shelby Roberts, Abby Jarvis, Andi Johnson and Kaylee Butler give Neosho a strong core group of returning upperclassmen to lean on. Merriman is the leading returning players in kills with 88 last year. She also led the team in aces with 24. King and Hames were 1-2 in digs with 102 and 101, respectively. Sims and Robertson shared setting duties and accounted for 141 and 132 assist, respectively.

Senior transfer Naomi Vang along with sophomores Lexi Laney, Rylee Amato, Maddy Smith, and Amber Mutz could prove to be helpful at the varsity level this year as well.

Landrum will look for her girls to be competitive while playing in the area’s best volleyball conference.

“The COC is just tough day in and day out. The coaches, athletes and overall programs in this conference are stout and to be respected,” Landrum said.

Neosho opens the season on Sept. 3 at Seneca.