By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Skyline’s school colors are black, red and white, but the volleyball team has its own identity.
This fall, the Tigers are once again “Team Green.”
The Tigers adopted the moniker last season in honor of their part-time bus driver and superfan Lawrence Green, who battled cancer throughout the team’s run to its first Final Four appearance.
Green passed away about a week after the Tigers brought him his own fourth-place medal, coach Shawna Bybee said, adding the team will honor Green’s memory and contributions to the program as they look to book their second consecutive trip to Cape Girardeau.
“We will continue to have our Team Green meaning for this season,” Bybee said. “He has left an everlasting effect on me and my girls and we want to carry his legacy every time we enter the gym.”
After graduating four of their six starters from the 27-3 team that advanced to the 2020 state quarterfinals, the Tigers won just five of their first 11 games last fall. But Green’s story and constant presence on the sidelines provided the Tigers with inspiration, motivation and perspective as they overcame those early-season struggles to achieve their historic finish.
“Playing for someone who everyone loved had a true meaning to our season,” Bybee said. “We had our ups and downs, but kept thinking about how many ups and downs Lawrence Green had — and knew we could give him an ‘up’ for the volleyball season. I think in any program when you lose a lot of starters from a successful season you have a lot of unknowns. But I think last year’s team proved no doubt, you have to have heart on that court and play with everything you have.”
While Jorden Hodges and all-state selection Jadyn Foster have both graduated, five of the key contributors from last year’s team are set to return to the court this fall. That includes all-state selections Grace Edge and Shayla Lynn, who’ll be stepping into leadership roles as seniors.
“It’s nice to have the experience back,” Bybee said. “We hope we can fill our seniors’ spots, as they brought things to this team’s success. I think my returners need to keep the mindset of not to settle. They are now in that lead spot and guide this team, so I’m excited to see them as those leaders now.”
CLICK HERE FOR LINKS TO ALL OF OUR FALL PREVIEWS
Foster led the team in several major statistical categories – kills (305), aces (40), digs (911) and receptions (466) — while Hodges ranked second with 63 blocks and third with 30 aces.
“Foster had a crazy back row year and picked up so many balls for us, but we will miss her in all areas,” Bybee said. “Jorden Hodges was that kid that busted her butt all the time because she didn’t want to let her teammates down, they respected her for that.”
That attitude is what the Tigers are known for – and don’t expect that to change anytime soon.
“We will always practice like we are going to play — hard,” Bybee said. “Anyone walking into the gym will see those girls busting it. We will continue to have hard practices so games seem easier. Our strength will continue to be defense. Keep that ball off the ground.”
Lynn and Edge both defended exceptionally well last year — and should only improve this fall.
Lynn, who played sparingly as a sophomore, thrived in her first season in a full-time role. She ranked second on the team in digs (718), third in receptions (290) and fourth in kills (165).
“Shayla reminds me of Jadyn,” Bybee said. “She will try to take that role again and continue to grow as a player. She can jump out of the gym — and she is one of our shortest kids.”
Edge, who didn’t play as a freshman, has developed into a much-needed net presence over the past two seasons. She led the team with 72 blocks, ranked second with 253 kills and was third with 682 digs in her junior year.
“Her height is huge for us … She really came out of her shell last season,” Bybee said. “It’s been amazing watching that much growth from her. She is strong and athletic.”
Fellow senior Lexie Curtis was an all-conference selection in her first year as the team’s primary setter, leading the team with 807 assists. Her 32 aces are the most among any returning player.
“Setting is hard and she does a great job for us,” Bybee said. “I see her to also be a big server and setter for us. Fine tuning those sets to get those hitters above the ball. We have strong hitters, so she will have fun with them.”
DOWNLOAD THE O-ZONE APP NOW!
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FOR APPLE
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID
Junior Chayla Tuning also returns after picking up 169 kills, 24 aces and 588 digs as a sophomore, while Kalli Eidson (libero) rounds out the list of returning Tigers who have big-game experience.
“We will miss our two seniors (Jadyn Foster and Jorden Hodges) as the lead in experience,” Bybee said. “But our other starters from last season — Grace Edge, Chayla Tuning, Shayla Lynn, Lexie Curtis and Kalli Eidson — stepped up in a lot of different ways and bought leadership in multiple ways. I think they really just led each other together for the history-making season. We play as a family and I truly believe that them doing that last season led to success.”
Sophomore Autumn Baldwin played well in limited action last season and appears poised to win one of Skyline’s available jobs in the rotation.
“She is ready to come out this year and become a starter,” Bybee said. “I have seen a lot of growth already this summer.”
Senior Faith Johnson, sophomore Shayln Owsley and freshmen Tymber Piñon, Jenna Hunt, Makenna Shockley, Tae Harris, Kaelin Glor, Calie Heiser, Madie Larose and Brooklyn Miller will all compete for playing time.
“I think our goal will always be — from day one — postseason,” Bybee said. “We have to mentally and physically ready for (the) postseason.”
Day one for the Tigers is August 23, when they’ll travel to Osceola for a jamboree with the Indians, Green Ridge and Windsor. They’ll then begin the regular season with back-to-back home games against Windsor and Forsyth on August 29 and 30.
The latter game will also serve as Team Green’s Mid-Lakes Conference opener.
Bybee said the team will once again have special green shirts this season, similar to the commemorative green T-shirts made for last year’s historic trip to the Final Four.
This year’s models feature an often-repeated Green quote, the driver’s initials and the number 34, which he wore during his Skyline playing days. But Team Green will also look to celebrate their No. 1 fan by continuing to do the little things he enjoyed so much.
“Every game last season, he just would look at the girls and say ‘I just want y’all to play hard and have no regrets — and that makes me proud,’” Bybee said. “His legacy is you can play harder than what you think if you know you are making someone else’s day just by playing hard.”
