Fair Grove volleyball was a young team last year, and the Eagles struggled to an eight-win season. Many players gained valuable experience last year, which will help Fair Grove bounce back this season.
“Some of our returning players earned very valuable court time that on any other given year at Fair Grove they might not have had,” Fair Grove head coach Tonya Peck said. “This is going to be such a huge asset for our team this season. I now have juniors and even sophomores that have gotten over that ‘I’m new to varsity and scared to death’ mentality. They are ready to get down to business.”
Junior Kameron Green was a breakout star for Fair Grove last year. As a freshman, Green played in just 14 sets with two total kills. Last year, Green posted a 216-kill season on the way to first-team all-conference honors.
“As a freshman, Kameron had quite a bit of talent ahead of her in the senior class. When they graduated, she had no choice but to fill the gap. The coaching staff stayed on her about learning the game and picking up her speed on the court. She not only accepted that role, she excelled at it,” Peck said. “Kam has stepped up in off-season workouts. She is a leader in our weight room, continually pushing herself. She even went out and ran track this past spring to improve herself as an athlete. This shows me that she is serious about her upperclassman leadership role. She understands that we hold high expectations for her and she is ready for that challenge.”
Green will play middle this year.
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Allison Findley returns after earning honorable mention all-conference honors as a freshman. She led the team with 305 assists last year. This year she will play outside hitter with some setting duties.
“Alli is one of our hardest workers on the team. She does all things at 110%. I truly believe that this allowed her the success she had her freshman year,” Peck said. “Alli worked hard during the club season. Her swing has improved and we look for her to be a big threat for us at the net. Her much improved platform has also stepped up her defensive game.”
Senior defensive specialist Chloe Reynaud will key the defense after leading the Eagles in both digs (348) and serve receptions (643) last year.
“Chloe has been extremely focused this summer. She is ready to give the team whatever we might need whether that is left back or middle back,” Peck said. “We have been looking for this attention to detail and drive from Chloe and now that we have seen it this summer. We feel the sky is the limit for her. We expect big things.”
Sophomore setter Hannah Maxwell is expected to take a big step forward after finishing third on the team with 113 assists last year. She was second in kills with 152.
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“Hannah had a great freshman year. She started setting halfway through the season and continues to improve in this position,” Peck said. “She is also a big threat at the net for us and sets a big block. We look for Hannah to turn some heads this season.”
Audrey Williams (senior outside hitter), Hailey Hulette (senior middle), Macee McAtee (senior defensive specialist/setter), Kaci Collins (senior outside hitter), Katie Mueller (junior defensive specialist), Taylor Green (sophomore middle/defensive specialist) and Faith Klindworth (sophomore middle/outside hitter) also return.
Freshman setter Brooke Daniels will be a newcomer that has an immediate impact on the varsity game.
“Brooke will make an immediate impact on varsity. She is a natural athlete that brings confidence and drive,” Peck said. “She has a knowledge and love for competition that is beyond her years. She has played the setter position all summer and is already a great addition to the team.”
Classmates Ashton Bell (outside hitter) and Shea Skouby (middle) are two more freshmen who should have a varsity impact.
“At varsity camp we found a chemistry in the team that was missing from last season. They made a pact to bring that excitement home and we feel this will carry us through some of our possible continued ‘young’ growing pains. As for game skills, our offense is much improved and we have many options for our attack. Our net game has sped up and we have found a drive to play defense that hasn’t been there in a while,” Peck said. “We need to continue to get better at the speed on our side of the net. We want our transitions to be quicker and sharper. We want to be in a more ready position at all times. We have worked hard on this and hope to continue to get better in the coming months.”
Fair Grove will travel to Rogersville on Aug. 24 with Republic, Parkview and the host. The Eagles open the regular season on Aug. 28 at the Branson Tournament.
“Expectations are always high year in and year out for Fair Grove volleyball,” Peck said. “This group of girls has the potential to put Fair Grove back in the competitive ranks that we have been in in the past. I believe that they are ready and excited for that challenge.”
