By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Two years after the school’s first trip to the Final Four, the Skyline volleyball team finds itself in the middle of a youth movement — with freshmen and sophomores representing 80 percent of the program’s 20-person roster.
As the Tigers look to replace five seniors who saw significant court time during last year’s 15-13-1 campaign, coach Shawna Bybee is looking forward to seeing the newcomers rise to the challenge and embrace “the grind” that has led the team to previously unseen heights.
“This program has been built (by) giving it everything you’ve got,” she said. “Never let anyone outwork you. We have to get back to the grind, holding each other accountable and becoming a family to back each other up.”
The Tigers looked well on their way to embarking on another deep postseason run last year, opening 11-3-1. But they won just four of their final 14 games, including a four-set, season-ending loss to Stockton in the opening round of the district tournament.
“We didn’t feel good after our district loss,” Bybee said. “I told my returners never to give an excuse why you don’t come to off-season. Use that game as motivation.”
Those returners include a trio of starters — senior Chayla Tuning, junior Autumn Baldwin and sophomore Tymber Pinon — who’ll be looked to set the tone and lead the next generation of Tigers.
“We have several kids that just started playing and have one year of experience,” Bybee said. “We have athletes from other sports coming in to try it. We have a lot of girls learning on the fly.”
Tuning, a setter/back-side hitter, earned all-district honors after leading the Tigers with 391 digs and 260 receptions last year. Her 27 aces also tied for the team lead.
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“She is a true competitor and now gets the challenge of leading a team,” Bybee said.
Baldwin will be entering her third year as a starting middle hitter. She finished third on the 2022 team with 132 kills, while her 45 blocks tied Pinon atop the leaderboard.
Pinon, another middle hitter, added 117 kills in her freshman season.
“She had an unbelievable district game and I am hoping we start where she ended up,” Bybee said.
The Tigers will be looking for several underclassmen to have strong debut seasons this year.
A trio of sophomores — Makenna Shockley, Jenna Hunt and Brooklyn Miller — and a quartet of freshmen — Shelby Redd, Kimber Henderson, Hailey Stokes and Leslie Caselman — could all make immediate contributions to the varsity.
Junior Shayln Owsley is also a strong contender for a spot in the rotation.
Freshmen Lauren Bradley, Kamryn Winn, Gracie Johnson and Kayla Slatten, sophomores Tea Harris, Kaelin Glor, Janelle Long and Madi Larose and junior Jolene Wilcox will also be competing for playing time.
“I will always tell my girls they all have an equal shot to fight for the seven spots we have and they have done a great job fighting,” Bybee said.
The Tigers will compete in the Osceola jamboree on August 22 and their first regular-season action will be an August 28 road trip to Windsor. An August 29 visit to Forsyth will kick off their Mid-Lakes Conference slate, while their home opener is set for August 31 against Lincoln.
“I just hope we get back to the grind again,” Bybee said. “I want them to find the urgency to get better every day — even at practice. Learn that their ability is there, they just have to push themselves mentally and physically.”
