By Chris Parker
Glendale volleyball won just three matches last year with a young team featuring just two seniors that played in a majority of the sets. The Lady Falcons are hoping the returning experience will help the program get back above .500 for the first time since 2016.
“I think our biggest strength this season would be experience. Last year was a big growing year for us, but these girls are back with experience and ready to play,” Glendale head coach Iceley Stieb said. “We have a lot of depth in our program this year. This will help us have a solid lineup every game.”
Leading those returners is senior Bri Winters. She earned second-team all-conference honors last year after leading the team in kills (103) and blocks (29) and finishing second in assists (151).
“Bri is an excellent leader on and off the court. She is a good communicator and her positive attitude sets a great team dynamic on the court. She is extremely knowledgeable on the court and runs an effective offense,” Stieb said. “iI look for Bri to be an excellent leader on and off the court this season. She will be running our offense and making a huge impact with her hitting skills. Bri will provide a great set for our hitters and run an effective offense. Bri will provide us with a strong quality hit and give our team an excellent hitting option. Bri’s varsity setting experience and leadership skills will help add to the team’s success.”
Tatum Kuntz had a strong freshman year that saw her earn honorable mention all-conference honors.
“Tatum is a very solid back row player. She provides a very consistent pass whether it be from a hit or serve receive and can read the ball well. Tatum is very scrappy and does not ever let the ball hit the ground. Tatum also provides great communication on the court and is always encouraging to her teammates,” Stieb said. “Tatum has grown a tremendous amount of confidence at the varsity level. She now has the experience and I see her making a huge impact this season.”
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Kiley Hawkins (senior outside/right side hitter), Leah McDonald (senior middle/right side hitter), Nadia Fletcher (senior defensive specialist/libero), Halle Hunsaker (senior outside hitter/right side hitter), Sofia Blasingim (junior outside hitter) and Bailey Tittsworth (junior setter/defensive specialist) also return.
Stieb on Hawkins: “Kiley is recovering from a small shoulder injury but will still provide us very strong swing when set that ball. We look to her to provide an aggressive hit to get the team a kill. Kiley is great at adjusting her offense to provide a different hit to the other team every time.”
Stieb on McDonald: “Leah will provide us a solid offensive threat from anywhere on the front row. She works very hard to be the best she can and provides us with a steady front row swing.”
Stieb on Fletcher: “Nadia is a very hardworking player and is constantly striving to make herself and her teammates better. Nadia will provide stellar defense for us this season and provide great touches and amazing passes. Nadia is extremely scrappy and does not let the ball hit the ground. Nadia’s energy is very contagious and she will be a huge asset on and off the court this season.”
Stieb on Hunsaker: “Halle will be a very strong and powerful hitting option for us this season. Halle can place the ball very well and hit around her block, providing a kill. Halle will make a huge offensive impact on the court for us and will be a go to hitter for us.”
Stieb on Blasingim: “Sofia will be a big hitter for us this season. Sofia provides us a solid swing from any position and is extremely versatile on the front row. Sofia has a very fast arm swing and will provide us a good swing on the outside.”
Stieb on Tittsworth: “Bailey is another solid player that will provide us with a consistent effort as a setter and passer. Bailey will provide a good set for our hitters and be able to help run an effective offense this year. Bailey also will be able to play solid defense for us.”
Julia Johns (senior defensive specialist), Jaclyn Moreno (junior defensive specialist) and Lyla Flinn (sophomore middle hitter) are some players that will be new to the varsity equation.
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Stieb on Johns: “Julia will be another additional back row player for us this season. Her quickness will help her react to each ball and make a playable pass for our setters.”
Stieb on Moreno: “Jaclyn will be a huge strength for our team this year on the defensive and passing end. Her defensive and passing skills have improved from last year and she will provide a solid pass for us to run an effective offense. Jaclyn is a very scrappy player and strives to pass every ball well.”
Steib on Flinn: “Lyla is a strong middle hitter for us. She will provide a strong hit for us and sets up a solid block. She is a great offensive option for us. Lyla works hard to provide a solid and strong hit every time she swings the ball.”
Conditioning has become more of a focus in practice, as Glendale prepares for the second season of playing a best-of-five set format each night.
“The new five game format made for some long nights. We learned that we needed to be in shape in order to compete and win games. We also learned that we needed to finish each game while we had the energy and momentum,” Stieb said. “We have adjusted our practice plan to incorporate more conditioning type drills to help us have the strength and stamina to last the long games.”
Glendale will host Branson and West Plains for a jamboree on Aug. 24 starting at 5 pm. The Lady Falcons open the season on Sept. 2 at Rogersville.
“The team has put a lot of hard work in during the off season to prepare for this upcoming season. We are hoping that their hard work and determination will continue and help us to be successful this season,” Stieb said. “We look forward to being competitive and battling in every game and throughout the season. We will fight hard in each game and with our determination we are excited to earn more wins and be successful.”
