By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Ozark is no stranger to high expectations in volleyball as that comes with the territory when you’re one of the area’s premier programs.
Entering Adeana Brewer’s eighth season – seven of which have come as head coach – the Lady Tigers return four starters from last year’s 19-10-2 squad.
Senior Hanna Vorhies returns after a junior season that saw her lead Ozark with 259 kills. She also added 41 blocks.
“Hanna provides our team with height and dynamic athleticism,” said Brewer. “She jumps well, hits hard, and is so versatile across the front row. She is our go-to attacker and is beginning to play a role of a six rotation player, which allows her to provide offense for us in the back row as well.
“Hanna is also very composed and competitive and brings a quiet confidence to our squad.”
Vorhies will also have an element of familiarity with setter Ellie Schrader returning. Schrader – a Pittsburg State commit – led Ozark with 498 assists last season.
“Ellie has been on the varsity floor since she was a sophomore and continues to get better and better in her setting role,” said Brewer. “Her vocal leadership role positively impacts the way we compete on the floor. She is a very unselfish player who outwardly and excitedly loves when her teammates are successful. She is a leader by example for us and embodies the team culture we want to have within our program.”
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Seniors Madison Reed – a Pittsburg State commit – and Grace Hall – a Missouri S&T commit – are also back in the mix. Reed tallied 160 digs and Hall finished with 52 kills and 39 blocks.
Reed will take over as the team’s libero after playing three rotations last year.
“Madison is a very mature and extremely hard working player who is ready to make a name for herself,” said Brewer. “She has earned this opportunity by all of her dedication to this team and her teammates as well as her dedication to become great at her position.
“I can’t wait to see what she achieves this year and in her future as she has fought extremely hard for an opportunity to play collegiately, nothing came easy for this kiddo so I know she’s a true fighter. Those are the types of players you want on the floor to lead your defensive department.”
Seniors Taylor Samson and Kenna Humble will see time on the outside, while classmate Kelly Sims will provide depth at the middle. Junior Sophie Morris will also provide outside depth.
“Kelly has played across the entire front row during her three years for Ozark,” said Brewer. “Last year she struggled with some nagging injuries but she is healthy and strong as she has ever been and will fill a role for us in the middle. Kelly is so strong and works diligently in the weight room so I expect her to surprise a few people playing a middle attacker and blocking role for us.
“Kenna is an outside attacker who is small in stature but jumps off the floor so well. She will add depth to our outside attacker department. Taylor is a left-handed right side who offers a great block for us and has a great connection with Ellie offensively. It will be fun to see what she achieves this year in her senior campaign. Sophie Morris is a junior attacker who can also hit from all across the front row and will also provide us options within our line-up.”
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Juniors Sydney Essick, Anna Howe, and Kiley Cashman are all defensive specialists. Along with sophomore Jenna LaBarge – who could also see time at the net – they’ll be counted on to shore up Ozark’s back row.
“I feel our floor defensive department will be very solid and we should have good ball control,” said Brewer. “If we can serve and pass well, I believe we have a very high ceiling as a team. These players (along with Madison Reed) will be critical in providing that consistency for our team.”
Brewer is also excited about the development of sophomore Reagan Baade.
Baade saw 28 varsity sets as a freshman and is the younger sister of former Ozark standout Haidan Baade.
“I expect Reagan to step into a six rotation outside attacker role this season,” said Brewer. “She is young, but she jumps out of the gym and is so quick and dynamic. She will be a player you will want to watch the next couple years. She has watched her sister be a part of four district championships during her high school career and Reagan is hungry to earn some hardware herself.”
The Lady Tigers aren’t as big as some previous teams, but they’ll still be a factor in the conference, district and state championship picture.
After winning 10 straight district championships from 2009-2018, Ozark has gone back-to-back seasons without advancing to the state tournament.
This group of Lady Tigers is eager to restart a new streak. To do so, they’ll have to navigate the state’s best volleyball conference and a district that will likely include many of those same conference foes.
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“Volleyball in southwest Missouri has improved immensely since I began my coaching career over a decade ago,” said Brewer. “Players are physical, athletic, volleyball IQ smart, and skilled. Several teams within the COC have high level players who have the ability to play at the next level if they choose, so every conference match you play is tough and competitive.
“Our program has a long history of success that will never be forgotten and this group has the potential to continue that success. They are truly relentless and unselfish. If they can find the consistency to play together they have the potential to compete with and beat any team on our schedule. This group of players are so enjoyable to coach and have high expectations for themselves. We have a competitive drive that will fuel us this year and I’m stoked to see how we compete in 2021.”
Ozark will go to Kickapoo for a jamboree on Aug. 24, joining Carl Junction and Nixa. The Lady Tigers will open the regular season on Aug. 30 by hosting Rogers Heritage (Ark.).
