By Chris Parker
Greenfield upset its way to the Class 1 District 9 title as a No. 3 seed last year. The Wildcats beat No. 2 Jasper in the semifinals before taking down No. 1 Liberal in the title game. They accomplished the feat with just two seniors on the roster.
“We actually started four freshmen in the district tournament last season. Our success was the result of hours of gym time in the summer months for the last five years. We have great parent support, and we have had a lot of community support with fundraising that has allowed us to participate in several leagues and tournaments in the summer months. The girls have made ball their priority,” Greenfield head coach Marla Kemp said. “I feel like our biggest lesson was when the girls play together as a team and set aside their personal differences, we are successful.”
Morgan Wright returns as a senior leader after leading the team in digs (185) and finishing second in kills (151) last year. She will play outside and middle hitter.
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“Morgan is a quick, smart ball player; she does a great job reading our opponents offense and defense,” Kemp said.
Fellow senior Ashley Daniel returns as well for her fourth season as a starter. Classmate Sabrina Lewis rounds out the returning seniors.
“My expectations for Morgan, Ashley, and Sabrina are to positively lead our team,” Kemp said. “We rely on Morgan and Ashley in serve receive, but when possible, we will begin to bring more girls to their roles throughout the season to help prepare for next season.”
Marlie Wright returns for her sophomore season after leading the team in assists (503) as a freshman.
“We played a lot of summer ball to help prepare Marlie for her role. She is athletic and has good hands; we realized we were putting a lot of pressure on a freshman to lead our team as setter, but Marlie stepped up to the challenge,” Kemp said.
Tatum Torres (middle) earned all-district honors as a freshman. She averaged seven kills per game in the latter part of her freshman season. Sophomore Haley Gossett (outside/middle hitter) is another returning starter for Greenfield.
Junior Cynika Manary and sophomore Trista Torres will play key defensive roles at libero and defensive specialist.
Sophomores Jasmine Feezell (setter) and Addison Kinder (outside hitter) along with junior Jodie Lewis (outside hitter) will all compete for varsity time this year.
“The expectations are to have a winning season and make a run for another district championship,” Kemp said.
Greenfield opens the season on Aug. 29 at the Verona Invitational.
