By Chris Parker
Ash Grove has put together six consecutive winning seasons with at least 18 wins in every season since 2015. The Lady Pirates have a proven ability to not rebuild, but instead to reload after graduating key players.
They will have to reload again this year after graduating a strong group of seniors that included three all-conference selections.
“The Class of 2020 brought a competitive aspect to Ash Grove Volleyball. Not only in matches but fun, family style competitions among each other throughout the year,” Ash Grove head coach Diana Eiberger said. “They were strong leaders that wanted to have a good time but also work hard to make sure the team was as competitive as possible.”
Ash Grove will also be without senior Khloe Moad. Moad, a second-team all-conference selection as a junior, will miss her senior season due to injury.
“Unfortunately, it appears Khloe will be out during her senior volleyball season due to an injury,” Eiberger said. “However, we are still looking for her to take on a leadership role this year. Even if it is not in a way anyone would have anticipated for her going into this school year. We look forward to seeing her as a member in our team’s family.”
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That leaves libero Emma McClelland as the lone returning all-conference player for Ash Grove. She led the team with 424 dis and a 99% serving percentage last year.
“Emma was a key aspect in our defense last year. This year we see her taking on more responsibilities in calling the shots on how our defense reacts to what is coming from the offense on the other side of the net. We are still looking at her predominantly in the libero position, but expanding her presence on the back row,” Eiberger said.
Eiberger is also expecting big things from senior setter Julianna Torbett. She was second on the team in assists last year with 341 while compiling a 97% serving percentage.
“For the last two years she (Torbett) has done a phenomenal job for us setting from the back row and playing defense. This year we are looking at her to continue in that setter position but also become a presence on the front row offensively as well,” Eiberger said.
Sophomores Madison Grube and Ashlyn Gerla will look to bring a strong defensive presence to the team. Grube had a 97% serving percentage with 83 digs last year while playing just half the season. Gerla served at a 96% clip with 22 block kills.
Past those players, the Lady Pirates will have many players competing to fill out the varsity rotation.
“We have some big shoes to fill with graduating five strong seniors last year. We have several athletes from all grade levels that we are looking at to push one another to make the team better and stronger every day,” Eiberger said.
Resilience will be key for Ash Grove this year.
“These young ladies do not give up. They see everything as a new opportunity to learn and find a way to get the job done. Then if they are stomped on something they do not hesitate to ask for guidance,” Eiberger said.
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This fairly new-look squad will also have to contend with the challenges that playing best-of-five sets bring after Missouri made the move from best-of-three last season.
“I believe the biggest lessons we had to learn with the format change was to have patience and to pace ourselves. Three out of five sets involves many rallies and may lead to long nights. We are having to constantly look at ways to improve our practices in order to prepare the ladies to have the best chances to remain competitive the entire evening and even from night to night looking ahead to this season’s schedule,” Eiberger said.
Ash Grove will travel to Pierce City for a jamboree on Aug. 24 with East Newton, Pleasant Hope and the host Eagles. The Pirates will open the regular season on Sept. 2 at home against Greenfield.
“We are looking forward to this year with a mix of new and returning girls” Eiberger said. “We will continue to work hard no matter what this year will bring.”
