By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
SPRINGFIELD – Prior to Bella Faria’s sophomore season, Kickapoo coach Marci Adams said the Chiefs were looking for her to take big swings, record a lot of digs and play with intensity.
It’s safe to say Faria did all that – and then some.
Faria led the Chiefs in four major statistical categories during a breakout season that ended with her earning one of 36 spots on the Class 5 all-state team. The achievement becomes even more impressive when you realize that 29 of those spots were occupied by juniors or seniors.
“Her being a sophomore and being on that list doesn’t shock me,” Adams said. “Going into our season, she knew she would be competing against girls older than her most matches and she’s up for any challenge that comes her way. Her ability to compete fearlessly is one of her main strengths.”
That competitive nature propelled Faria to the top of the 2021 team’s leaderboards in kills (295), aces (42), digs (276) and receptions (404) — numbers that should only improve as the junior and her teammates look to secure Kickapoo’s eighth consecutive 20-win season this fall.
“Bella’s volleyball IQ is continuing to grow,” Adams said. “Correlate that with her increasing skill set and you’ll see her range as a hitter and defender grow. She’s uber-focused on making her first contact solid. She wants the ball no matter the score, which creates trust within a team.”
The Chiefs graduated five players from last season’s 26-8 team, but return three more players who earned postseason honors as underclassmen. With Faria, Reagan Greenway, Kya Johnson and Grace Gardner forming the core, the Chiefs look to be a formidable opponent this fall.
“Throughout the summer, the 2022 Volleychiefs have already proven they are a team that hates to lose,” Adams said. “They value the first contact, ball control and communication. Their goal is for team chemistry and grit to be our biggest strength.”
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Greenway, a junior, and Gardner, a senior, combined to record 887 assists last season as the Chiefs opted to have two players running their offense. Both earned all-conference and all-district honors.
Gardner split her time between setting and hitting, finishing with 316 assists and 155 kills.
“Grace will likely find herself in a similar but different position as the opposite,” Adams said. “Her volleyball IQ is unmatched and she works her tail off in the weight room. Combine that with her skills and desire for a high level of team chemistry and she will be set up to have a fantastic senior season.”
Greenway thrived as the team’s primary setter, picking up 571 assists in her debut varsity season.
“That year of varsity experience will serve her well in decision making and pressure plays,” Adams said. “She’s so quick, has great hands and is a great defender. Her hussle plays fire our team up. The setting position is a no-glory role and it takes a selfless person to make that happen. Reagan is a fun one to watch and loves to create opportunities for our hitters.”
Johnson, a junior defensive specialist, ranked second on the team in receptions (320) and aces (37). Her 200 digs ranked third, and helped her earn all-conference and all-district honors.
“Our team knows what we are going to get from this kid and it’s always all she’s got,” Adams said. “It might start as a motivational timeout talk or regrouping after a tough play. She’s locked in on making progress and her platform shows it. Her vision and anticipation is ever growing, which is a result of a great club season and her high-level basketball experience.”
Those four will take on even bigger roles now that the Class of 2022 has graduated. Two of Kickapoo’s five graduates were postseason honorees who plan to play collegiate volleyball.
Ali Dawson is now at Cottey College, while Lauryn Farish will suit up for Missouri State-West Plains. Syndi Baldner and all-conference and all-district picks Hannah Wahlquist and Caroline Field also graduated.
“As with any graduating class, we had a great mix of leadership, maturity, fun and talent.” Adams said. “We wish them all the luck going forward and grateful for the mark they left.”
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But several more players are ready to step up for the Chiefs this fall.
Defensive specialist Nikki Hamme is one of just two seniors on the team.
“She’s super speedy when it comes to running a ball down,” Adams said. “Her serve has gotten more movement and she’s taking the role of being a senior leader to heart.”
Junior Emma Eaton recorded 221 digs last year, the second-highest total on the team.
“She loves stealing kills away from hitters by making great digs,” Adams said. “She works hard to be in the right position and has excellent pursuit for the ball. I know our hitters would also compliment Emma on her ability to help them find ways to score. She’s a feisty one and fun to watch.”
Sophomore Hannah Gardner will move up from the scout team, where she thrived as a setter and hitter.
“She’ll take a part in running our offense with Reagan,” Adams said. “Her knowledge of the game is a huge asset as she’s strategizing and setting our hitters up for success. She sees the floor well and is learning more and more how to use that left hand to score.”
Juniors Claire Doennig, Jenna Perryman, Lily Maupin and Parker Papa are all hitters. Doennig and Maupin saw some varsity action last fall, while Perryman and Papa are new to the team.
“The 2022 roster is a great mix of varsity returners and newcomers, but the newcomers are only new to the lineup,” Adams said. “They all played big roles in the 2021 practices and have spent tons of hours in club season to strengthen their skill set.”
Time will tell if the work will help Kickapoo secure its first district championship since at least 2008.
The Chiefs are perennial contenders in the Ozark Conference – they went 10-0 last year to win yet another title – but they are 0-5 in district title games during this run of 20-win seasons.
District assignments have yet to be released, but recent history suggests the road to a title will go through Nixa.
