By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Julia Reaves’ first three seasons at Cabool have seen the program increase its win total from 26 to 28 to 30, culminating in last year’s 30-4-4 campaign that also produced the program’s first district championship in more than a decade.
Cabool had its season ended by eventual Class 2 state champion Christian in a five-set Elite Eight classic.
Now the Bulldogs will look to reload and continue to push the program forward. Leading that charge will be seniors Alexis Hunter and Hailey Shannon.
Hunter is the program’s returning leader in blocks (58) and digs (316), while also finishing with 230 kills as a junior. Shannon is back after tallying 260 kills and the program’s highest kill percentage.
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Both All-SCA players will be counted on for leadership on and off the court.
“Alexis will be a six rotation middle and attack from everywhere,” said Reaves. “She is a very dominant blocker and has great volleyball instincts. She will also be our leader and captain.”
These two girls have been with me since I was their middle school coach before taking over as head coach at Cabool. They are going to be expected to be leaders this year as well as our go to players.”
The cast around them will be extremely young.
Juniors Makalah Watson and Remi Supancic, sophomores Hannah Janson, Lakaya Reece and Ciara Stout, as well as freshman Makinley Aar are all expected to compete for varsity roles.
“We have realized with two returning starters that this will be a rebuilding year for us,” said Reaves. “As always, we strive for district and conference championships every year. My two seniors are going to be expected to help these younger kids to play at a higher level and set the example.”
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Hunter and Shannon have been a part of 84 wins as varsity players. They’ll look to continue to build on that impressive legacy while also making sure the program is in good hands moving forward.
Reaves believes the next step for the program is making sure they continue to grow each day.
“With us starting a majority of sophomores and then two seniors, we have lots of work to do and lots of room to grow,” said Reaves. “Our philosophy is to walk into every gym and compete every day. If we compete every game, we will be just fine.”
Cabool will host a jamboree on Aug. 26 with Houston and Willow Springs attending. The Bulldogs will open the 2021 season on Sep. 2, hosting Eminence.
