By Chris Parker
Stockton volleyball won its first district title since 2010 on its way to a 24-win season. It was the first time Stockton volleyball won more than 13 matches in a season since 2010 as well.
The Tigers will have to replace three graduated seniors including all-state selection Kaitlyn Creek. Creek put down an area-best 529 kills last season.
“Replacing Kaitlyn is hard not only was she a great hitter but also a great leader on the floor,” Stockton head coach Amanda Walton said. “So in moving forward we will keep working on improving all of our players’ abilities. Many have improved leaps and bounds through there high school careers and continue to keep improving.”
Teamwork will be the key to replicating last season’s success.
“Ours girls need to keep up the teamwork. They work hard on and off the court to help improve each other. Together we are stronger than apart, and I believe if we keep our team mindset we will be successful,” Walton said.
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Summer Kenney is the lone returning all-conference player after being named honorable mention all-conference as a freshman. She was second on the team in kills with 237.
“Summer has worked on volleyball since I met her in seventh grade. She loves volleyball. She also understands that it is a team sport and encourages everyone around her to be the best. She is quickly turning into a leader on and off the floor,” Walton said. “She will be a player we will go to for encouragement and leading by example. She works to improve herself on a daily basis on and off the floor.”
Seniors Riley Stapp (middle/outside), Maygen Mings (middle) and Emma Sullivan (right side/outside) along with sophomore Kylie Hunter (setter) round out the returning players for Stockton. Stapp and Mings went 1-2 on the team in blocks last year while Hunter led the team in assist at 401.
Kara Hedrick (junior DS), Taylor Householder (senior DS), Bekah Flora (junior middle), Riley Graves (freshman setter), Cassidy Haden (freshman DS), Sara Patterson (sophomore right side), Baylee Smith (junior middle/right side), Lindsey Gire (junior outside) and Lany Gire (sophomore DS) will be new players to watch at the varsity level.
“We have high expectations, we are always looking to improve in any way possible. Our goal is to play the best we can everything we step on the floor,” Walton said. “I believe this team will go far and have a good season ahead of them. We have new leaders emerging and a desire to improve every day.”
Stockton opens the season on Sept. 1 against Ash Grove.
