By Chris Parker
Seneca volleyball has a new head coach in Rachel Ayo leading the team this year. Ayo spent the last two years as head coach at East Newton.
“Seneca has been a strong school in the Big 8 in the last few years. When I met with the administration at Seneca, it just felt right. Everyone has been extremely supportive and when the opportunity presented itself, I couldn’t pass it up,” Ayo said.
She inherits a team that won 21 matches last year, but graduated five seniors including all four of Seneca’s all-conference selections. The Lady Indians will have to fill the holes left by those players if they are to post a third straight 20-win season.
“The key is going to be finding the best athletes to fill the roles of the last graduating class. There are big shoes to fill, and I am counting on both our senior leadership and fresh new faces to keep us driving towards success. We feel that the key is focusing in on each individual’s strengths and using them collectively,” Ayo said.
Seniors Kendyl Petty (DS/OH), Myla Hembree (MB), Jadeyn Bailey (RS) and Rylee Nesvold (DS/Libero) along with junior Rylee Darnell (Setter/RS) will be the key returning letterwinners. No six-rotation starters return this year.
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“(Petty) will be a strong contributor both offensively and defensively. She has natural, raw talent that brings life to the court. (Hembree’s) block is going to be a huge help to our defense and a strong hitter as well. (Bailey has a) strong swing and is a versatile hitter who can hit from a variety of places. (Nesvold) will be helpful defensively and will be a huge help on the serve recieve front. She is a great leader and gives 100%,” Ayo said. (Darnell) will be our primary setter. She is a smart player who understands the game and I am looking forward to watching her run our offense.”
Parker Long (sophomore DS/OH), Ellie Barnes (junior MB) and Jera Jameson (freshman OH) will be new players to watch.
Ayo will have to condition her new team to get ready to play a best-of-five set format this year, which is up from the best-of-three it used to be.
“I am actually very excited for the change. Missouri was one of a few states who had not made the switch,” Ayo said. “I believe this will help those athletes who do want to play collegiately, both mentally and physically. Yes, it means that the nights will be longer and it will take some getting used to, but I think the change will be good in the long run.”
Seneca opens the season on Sept. 1 at Neosho.
“Overall, I am expecting Seneca volleyball to compete at a high level and to be consistent,” Ayo said. “The talent level is there and consistency will be key to adding tallies to the win column.”
