By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Willard Volleyball enjoyed a magical season in 2020.
The Lady Tigers rolled to a 31-3-1 record en route to a Class 4 state championship.
As her team prepares for the fall campaign, head coach Jamalee Hancock notes something will be missing from this year’s squad.
Size.
Willard graduated a pair of 6-foot-2 all-state powerhouses in Maddy Bushnell and Payton Van Veen.
Set to play at Missouri State (Bushnell) and Washburn (Van Veen) this fall, the dynamic net duo was responsible for 70 percent of Willard’s kills last season and 78 percent of its blocks.
Hancock must also replace a third all-state selection from last season, as libero Taylor Crighton moves on to continue playing at the University of Arkansas-Monticello this fall.
“We are a much smaller team this year, with our tallest player being 5-foot-9,” Hancock said. “We rely heavily on our defense, ball control and we want to out-work and out-communicate our opponents. This group is so coachable and has such great chemistry. When they are all playing to their ability they will be tough to beat.”
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Fortunately for the Lady Tigers, replacing talent is nothing new for Hancock, set to begin her 22nd year as Willard’s head coach.
It also helps when you still have another pair of all-state seniors stashed away on your returning roster.
Setter Paige Gayer (1038 assists, 223 digs, 55 kills, 35 aces, 28 blocks) returns to lead the Lady Tiger attack this season.
“Paige did a great job last fall leading our team to a state championship,” Hancock said.
“This will be her second season starting varsity, and she comes in with a lot of confidence and accolades. She has been setting the bulk of our hitters for the last four years in both club ball and school ball so that experience will be great for our team this year.”
Libero Kindall Smithson (384 digs, 32 aces, 14 assists) will quarterback Willard’s defense.
“Kindall is one of the best defensive players I’ve ever coached,” Hancock said. “Her composure and consistency on the court, her ability to serve-receive and play defense is second to none. She brings the most experience to the court this fall.”
The pair will be joined by a quartet of classmates in outside hitter Grace Hancock, middle blocker Lael Brandon, outside hitter/right side attacker Paige Durham and defensive specialist Abbie Skaggs.
Grace Hancock finished the 2020 season with 117 kills, 27 blocks and 81 digs.
“Emerging this summer has also been solid leadership and play by senior outside hitter Grace Hancock,” Coach Hancock said. “She is a three year varsity starter, but this summer she has definitely come into her own both offensively and defensively and is taking a lot of swings for us and is hitting at a very high percentage.”
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Durham (71 kills, 179 digs, 9 aces) and Brandon (78 kills, 49 blocks, 45 digs) will also feature heavily in Willard’s plans, according to Coach Hancock.
“We will also rely on Paige Durham and Lael Brandon to carry our offense this fall,” Coach Hancock said. “Paige is a six-rotation player who we rely on to do all skills and she has come off of a great junior season and is really a threat on both the left and right front for us. Lael is one of the rare ‘triple threats’ who can attack the ball from the left, middle and right.”
Skaggs, who moved to Willard in 2020, posted 173 digs and 27 aces for the state championship team.
“Abbie is another top defender for us who will be a staple on the back row for us,” Coach Hancock said. “Abbie plays with incredible grit and determination, she brings a great serve and her energy is contagious!”
While the Lady Tigers won’t have a great deal of size this season, Coach Hancock is confident her team’s experience and overall chemistry will help make up the difference as the season progresses.
“This group of seniors have been playing together a long time,” Coach Hancock said. “While they are not as tall as our 2020 seniors, this group brings a lot of chemistry, ball control, skill and they are all very coachable.”
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A quartet of younger players could also make an impact this season.
Ella Sims, Ryleigh Fowler, Lily Clark and Madison Magee will all compete for playing time along the middle and right side attacking positions.
With 573 wins on her resume – all at Willard – Coach Hancock could reach the 600-win milestone this season; however, the longtime coach always has her eyes on a bigger prize.
“Our goal is to win districts and make it back to the final four,” Coach Hancock said. “We have such a solid tradition at Willard. These girls know success, and they are hungry to keep the success alive.”
Following an Aug. 24 jamboree at home, Willard opens its season Aug. 31 at Marshfield.
