By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Nixa’s volleyball program enjoyed a magical run in 2019.
The Lady Eagles finished the season with a 34-4 record, captured the Class 4 state championship and saw four players earn all-state honors.
Head coach Annie Zimmerman, entering her sixth season at the helm, believes the experience will help further cement the school’s storied tradition.
“Finishing the season as class 4 state champions was such a wonderful experience for everyone involved in our program,” Zimmerman said. “We learned what it takes to win big games.”
Zimmerman’s first task this season will be replacing a considerable void left by a quintet of graduated seniors.
Defensive specialist Alexis Adams (409 career digs), Class 4 all-state middle blocker Jordan Collard (555 career kills, 221 career blocks, 55 career aces), Class 4 all-state libero Lexie Gregory (1,396 career digs, 105 career aces), Class 4 all-state outside hitter Kenzie Hines (602 career kills, 545 career digs, 94 career aces) and right side Lauren Weber (285 career kills, 393 career digs, 79 career aces) all depart the program.
Collard (William Jewell University), Gregory (University of Central Arkansas), Hines (Rockhurst University) and Weber (Missouri State University – West Plains) will all further their respective volleyball careers at the next level.
Adams will run track and field at Missouri Western State University.
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Despite its graduation losses, Nixa’s cupboard is far from barren with a trio of talented upperclassmen set to lead the team in 2019.
Senior middle blocker Taylor Golmen (.390 hitting percentage, 263 kills, 53 blocks), junior outside hitter Jaycee Fixsen (294 kills, 87 digs) and junior setter Sydney Golden (1,059 assists – No. 1 in state, 20 aces, 255 digs) will take over leadership duties for the Lady Eagles.
Golden, a two-year starter for Nixa, earned all-state honors as a sophomore.
“Sydney is a special player,” Zimmerman said. “She has a high volleyball IQ, advanced skill set, is super athletic and is a great competitor. We will look for her to be our floor leader for this year’s team.”
Golden could set Nixa’s career assist mark in only her junior season. Her current career total of 1,676 assists trails Riley Dobbs’ 2015 mark of 1,945.
A host of varsity newcomers will look to compete for playing time and the chance to make an impact on the roster this season including seniors Carsen Glaser, Rachel Janisch, Katie McCurdy, Kendall Pratt and juniors Ari Fazio, Jena Medearis and Addison Tauai.
Despite the number of new faces in new roles, Zimmerman believes her team will be well prepared this season to challenge for both conference and district titles. Multiple players that can play multiple positions on the court will be team strength heading into the season, although it may take some time to get things properly sorted.
“We graduated 60% of our offense and our entire backcourt defense,” Zimmerman said. “We have several players transitioning from the JV to varsity level and adjusting to a faster pace. We are trying a lot of different rotations right now to help define roles for several players, and it may be well into the season before those roles are established.”
Those multi-position players may be even more critical this season, as Missouri switches to a best-of-five sets format and the possibility of players missing games due to COVID-related symptoms looms large.
“We have talked a lot about the fact that we will have to be flexible as a team,” Zimmerman said. “Realistically, we know there may be games where we are missing a player or two due to illness or quarantine. We are training and preparing our players to play multiple positions so that if and when that time comes, we can play with confidence.”
Nixa opens it’s season Aug. 29 at home against Fayetteville, Ark.
