3:30 – Mt. Vernon volleyball returns many key contributors from last season’s 17-win team
By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Mt. Vernon volleyball team returns most of the key contributors from last season’s 17-win team, which in itself would bode well for its 2023 season outlook.
But when you consider the majority of those Mountaineers were sophomores or freshmen when they won those games last fall, there’s a real feeling some truly special things might be in store for a team that’s now exponentially more battle-tested.
“Returning the bulk of our team is definitely exciting,” Mountaineers coach Bridgett Schmutz said. “When you have a group that kind of grew up together in the game a season ago, they have already weathered a lot of different adversity. This season won’t be without any challenges, but we have a group of athletes that are bought into what we are trying to do and support each other without looking at who gets the credit or how it gets done.”
That group was faced with a near-impossible challenge at this time last year, as they needed to replace a six-player senior class that won 74 games and a district title in their four years.
They opened 0-6-1, but then won seven consecutive games to climb above .500 — and kept rolling. They went 17-8-1 over their final 26 games, falling to Seneca in the district title match.
The team is hoping to enjoy even more success this fall — but not looking too far ahead.
“We did a lot of work in the spring season to develop tools to handle the game mentally,” Schmutz said. “As a team, we have goals that we’d like to achieve — but ultimately we want to be present in each moment of the game. So we are working to shrink down the perceived ‘expectations’ and just focus on the one play in front of us.”
The Mountaineers are bringing back four players who earned all-district honors last fall — senior Payge Evans, junior Macie West and sophomores Camryn Cornell and Hali Stokes.
Evans, the libero, also earned all-conference honors after posting a team-best 690 receptions and 459 digs.
“She really took our young girls under her wing last season and now she has a group that can match her intensity and effort,” Schmutz said. “Payge has played a lot of volleyball in her career and she still strives to get better. She is the anchor to our defense and brings so much energy to the court. She gives max effort in every aspect of everything she does.”
West recorded 790 assists in her first year as the team’s setter. She was also third on the team leaderboard in aces (44) and digs (249).
“Macie is a true student of the game and stepped into the role of running the offense last year and did extremely well,” Schmutz said. “She is undersized and we used some uncanny tactics to counteract that, but she puts up a great ball and pulls the most out of each of her hitters.”
Cornell, an outside hitter, led the Mountaineers with 48 aces and was second with 226 kills and 309 receptions.
“Camryn is a smooth player and we are just starting to see her true level and skill set,” Schmutz said. “She was a three-time state qualifier in track and we look forward to seeing her expand her role even more on the volleyball court.”
Stokes, a middle hitter, recorded 166 kills and a team-best 25 blocks.
“She swings high and is very aggressive at the net,” Schmutz said. “She has such an amazing attitude and plays with intensity and energy from start to finish. We are looking for big things from her this season and she’s put in the work to make them happen.”
Junior Teagyn Huver and sophomore defensive specialist Averee Swillum also return, giving the Mountaineers six players with significant varsity experience.
Huver was fourth on the team in kills and blocks.
“Teagyn was our opposite last year,” Schmutz said. “But her game has grown so much. She’s long and quick. She’s had a great summer and will transition to the middle this fall and her blocking will be a big factor. I’m excited to see her growth.”
Schmutz touted Swillum’s versatility.
“She has a high point scoring serve, is a solid defender and has great ball control,” Schmutz said. “She played opposite our setter last year but will likely take on a bigger role for our defense.”
Four other Mountaineers will be competing for spots in the rotation..
Junior Rae Downing and sophomore Joselyn Spriggs can each play outside or opposite hitter.
“The production and consistency we get from Rae and Jos will have a big impact on how far we go in the postseason,” Schmutz said. “And I feel like they’ve both done a lot to prepare for their role in that.”
Freshman Claire Hale could earn some time as a defensive specialist.
“Great serve, solid passer and sees the floor well,” Schmutz said. “She’s stepped into our system over the summer and transitioned to the pace of the game very quickly.”
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Ziah Schmutz, the coach’s oldest daughter, is a lifelong student of the game — first setting foot in a volleyball gym when she was two weeks old.
“She literally grew up in a ball cart until she could walk,” coach Schmutz said. “Ziah brings some height across the net for us; she’s extremely competitive and has developed a crafty offensive game. She may share in the setting role as well and we look for her to make an immediate impact.”
Mt. Vernon’s jamboree is set for August 22 at Webb City. Carl Junction and Clever are also scheduled to participate.
Mt. Vernon’s regular season will begin August 26, when the team competes in the Branson Invitational. Its first home game of the year is scheduled for August 28 against Forsyth.
The Mountaineers will kick off Big 8 East play when rival Aurora visits town on September 19.
“We have a lot of options and finding what works and how to fit that jigsaw puzzle together may take some time,” Bridgett Schmutz said. “We just have to focus on what’s important in each moment. If last season taught us anything, it’s that it is a marathon — not a sprint.”
