By Chris Parker
McDonald County volleyball will have a deep roster looking to improve upon last season’s nine-win campaign.
“With more depth than we have had in several years, we expect to be a competitive, gritty team every time we step on the court,” McDonald County head coach Logan Grab said.
The returning players include Jayden Forcum (senior setter), Savannah Leib (senior middle hitter), Carlie Martin (sophomore outside hitter), Teea Corcoran (senior outside hitter), River Killion (senior outside hitter), Yarecci Quintero (senior libero), Layla Wallain (sophomore middle/outside hitter) and Kayana Fields (sophomore outside hitter).
Grab on Forcum: “Forcum has settled into her role as varsity setter over the past year and is providing our team with the opportunity to run a strong offense. Her athleticism and never-quit attitude make her one of the hardest-working players on the court.”
Grab on Leib: “Leib has proven to be a strong offensive and defensive player who has a genuine love and passion for the game. She brings a high level of energy to the court along with the discipline to perform well in a variety of situations. Her hitting has become more consistent over the past year and will be exciting to watch this season.”
Grab on Martin: “Martin is a six-rotation player who has emerged as a primary source of leadership for not only our varsity team but our program as a whole. She has committed herself to building consistency in her gameplay and made distinct progress over the past year. Her volleyball IQ makes her a strong decision-maker who will capitalize on the situations she is presented with on the court.”
Grab on Corcoran: “Corcoran is an outstanding leader on and off of the court and has committed herself to becoming a versatile player who can successfully play multiple positions. She holds herself and her teammates to a high standard through love, compassion, and modeling what it means to be a Mustang.”
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Grab on Killion: “Killion is an incredibly sound volleyball player who has the ability to play from anywhere on the court and make a positive impact. Her hitting, defense, and serving are all key strengths she brings to the court.”
Grab on Quintero: “Quintero was able to experience some varsity play last year as a defensive specialist and has fully embraced her new role as a varsity libero. The dedication she has to becoming the best defensive player on the floor is admirable and can be credited to her being such a coachable athlete.”
Grab on Wallain: “Wallain was a newcomer last year who quickly advanced as the season progressed. She is an intuitive player who is just as strong defensively as she is offensively. While she primarily played middle last year, we are excited to see how she does with playing outside some this year, too.”
Grab on Fields: “Fields had the opportunity to play in a variety of positions as a freshman and has grown immensely over the past year. She is not afraid to go big and take chances that other athletes sometimes shy away from. That coupled with the energy she brings to our team makes us stronger.”
Roslynn Huston (junior middle hitter), Jamie Washam (sophomore outside hitter/setter) and Peyton Cooper (senior) will be newcomers to the varsity level.
McDonald County will look to find balance within its depth.
“We have focused on working toward becoming a balanced team that can handle offensive and defensive situations equally,” Grab said. “If we remain focused on executing that mission, that will undoubtedly be our biggest strength this year.”
The Mustangs will host Seneca, Cassville and Lamar for a jamboree at 5 pm on Aug. 22. McDonald County opens the regular season on Aug. 28 at home against Gravette (Ark.).
“We have had a tremendous off-season this summer and are excited about the upcoming season,” Grab said. “I want to thank my assistants, Sean Crane and Emily Killion, for their tireless efforts in helping to make our program a success. Everything we do is a team effort, and they are two of the best teammates someone could ask for. Our program has an immense amount of support from our school, district, and community. As always, it is a privilege to continue representing McDonald County through the sport of volleyball, and I am thankful for the opportunity to do so.”
