By Chris Parker
Aurora volleyball will have to replace its top two players in the graduated Brooke Bellamy and Kortney Juracek. Bellamy was an all-state selection after leading the Lady Houns with 284 kills. Juracek, a second-team all-conference honoree, keyed the defense at libero.
Junior Gabie McVey returns for her junior season. She earned honorable mention all-conference honors as a setter in 2019 leading Aurora with 495 assists. McVey will move to libero this year.
“Gabie McVey, even though leading our assists last several seasons will bring her passion for volleyball into the libero position,” Aurora coach Skye Doty said. “This helps us utilize our versatile attackers.”
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Senior Belle Marquier, a second-team all-district honoree, will lead that attack after putting down 146 kills last year. She will be joined by Brookelynn Sandoval (senior), Hannah Hudson (junior) and Sarah Davis (junior).
A freshman group that includes Abbey Davis, Kymaran Darnall, Jacey Lee and Jacey Willcock will all look to make an immediate varsity impact. Willcock will take over setting duties.
This group will have the gel together while adjusting to Missouri’s new best-of-five format for matches.
“Missouri has decided to move to a three out of five set game this year. The changes are going to be interesting but exciting,” Doty said. “We are looking forward to this new challenge. Our athletes work hard on the court and in the weight room. They love their team and love playing so adding more volleyball is right up their alley.”
Aurora opens the season on Sept. 1 at Lamar.
“Trying to blend the old and new while staying Aurora Strong will be our motto,” Doty said.
