By Chris Parker
Nevada volleyball was a young team last year with just two seniors who played in at least half the sets. That young squad won 12 matches and will look for even more this year with a more experienced group returning.
“We are finally coming to a year where we have more than one to three players returning with true varsity experience,” Nevada head coach Kori Dodson said. “That makes a huge difference in the game and gameplay. The game is truly starting to slow down for them to the point where we are able to get more creative with what we do and be less of a predictable opponent.”
Four all-conference players in Trinity Gayman, Delaney Hope, Emma Leisure and Abbey Heathman return for Nevada. All four had more than 100 kills last season.
“These girls are huge components to our team, not only offensively but defensively,” Dodson said. “To have hitter, upon hitter, upon hitter of this caliber on one team together just opens up so much for each other. And their unselfish attitude, they want to open things up for the other, they want to work hard and they want to be great leaders for the younger players.”
Gayman earned first-team all-conference honors after she led the team in kills with 211 last year. She also led the Lady Tigers in aces with 41.
“Last year Trinity played a large role for us,” Dodson said. “She was one of our strongest blockers and a key contributor to our offense. She led us aces and kills. She brings many attributes to our team. We are hoping she will continue on this year bringing her varsity experience and as a strong leader.”
Hope was named second team all-conference on the strength of her 206 kills and 28 solo blocks. She will be at middle blocker.
“Delaney Hope is one of our most consistent hitters,” Dodson said. “She has a great work ethic and has put in a lot of work this off-season playing a high level of competition to increase her volleyball skill. She really stepped up big for us late in the season last year blocking wise in big conference games against Cassville and Lamar and we will look to her to continue that from the start this season.”
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Leisure was also a second-team all-conference player who had 132 kills and 208 digs.
“Emma Leisure brings so much to the volleyball court both offensively and defensively with her competitive nature and love for the game,” Dodson said. “She shows great leadership with her level head and work ethic. She’s battled through adversity the last two years with illness and quarantines. Nobody has truly gotten to witness what Emma is truly capable of accomplishing if she can get a full season in. She will play outside hitter and backrow.”
Heathman put down 113 kills with 228 digs on her way to honorable mention all-conference honors.
“Abbey Heathman is an athlete. She really came along last year as a six-rotation player as an outside hitter and is really going to make a name for herself in the volleyball world this year no doubt,” Dodson said. “After being a big contributor to the basketball team’s success, she knows how to win and the work it takes and brings that day in and day out for this team. Her strength and growth as a hitter has been tremendous this summer and as our leader in digs last year behind our libero, her defense is solid.”
The architect of the offense returns as well. Junior Kyrsten Owen led the team with 382 assists last year.
“Kyrsten stepped up to varsity early-midseason last year after we lost a senior returning setter and at a very tough part of our season,” Dodson said. “She stepped in as if she had been ready for it all along. We held her to a high standard and our hitters did as well and she met those each time. Having her join us made us that much more ready for this season with her experience and our hitters respect her and her role of calling our offense. She is such a smart player who is falling into the vocal leadership role as well. My expectations for her are to continue to lead our offense and distribute the ball to our many hitters. Kyrsten is always looking for ways and working hard to elevate her game.”
Senior Bridget Naas will have a bigger role this year after playing in 42 of 88 sets last year. She will play defensive specialist this year.
“(She) contributed to our success last year and has stepped up in the leadership role this off-season as a senior,” Dodson said. “She has a new confidence to her and it has shown in her play. Her positive attitude and vocal enthusiasm will be huge for us this season.”
Juniors Reese Hedges and Lanie Jackson will have the opportunity to find time on the backrow this year. Lindey Wilson (junior RS) and Jenna Godsey (sophomore MB/RS) are also competing for time on the varsity level.
Experience will be a strength for this team with defense as a focus for improvement.
“This team really meshes well together and are very positive. We have many key components coming back with great leadership. I think that will be our biggest strength, is having an entire team who work well together, work hard together, and great senior leadership,” Dodson said. “Defense is something that a team can always improve upon. We have put a large amount of time into that this summer and it is something we want to take pride in this year. Also being less predictable on the offensive side of things.”
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Nevada will travel to Carthage for a jamboree with the host Tigers, Joplin and Aurora before opening the season on Aug. 30 at Pembroke Hill.
“Our expectations for the year are to improve our overall record and win the hard games,” Dodson said. “We had so many games last year that just fell through our fingertips. Then we want to win the conference championship. After competing in the championship game against Lamar last year, this group got a taste of it and are hungry to take it all this year.”
