By Chris Parker
Pierce City volleyball will need some new players to step up this year after graduating five of eight players who saw time in a majority of the sets for last season’s 18-win team.
The returning players include Annie Rakoski (senior), Ali Debes (junior) and Addison Avondet (sophomore).
“Annie is my returning setter. We ran a 5-1 last year and plan to do the same again this year,” Pierce City head coach Amber Wilson said. “Annie has been really impressive with ball placement allowing her to earn her own kills. Ali was a defensive specialist for us last year and stayed in middle back. This year, she will libero for our middles. Addison has grown a lot defensively and offensively since last season. She played all the way around as a freshman and will most likely do the same this year.”
Rakoski handed out 701 assists to lead the team last season. Avondet led that group in kills last year with 108.
Jaelee Mettlach (sophomore) and Liliana Lasker (sophomore) will see more varsity action this year after playing in some varsity sets last season.
Laira Jones is a rising junior who will have an impact.
“Laira Jones is an upcoming junior with outstanding potential,” Wilson said. “She has a great reaction time and knows how to stay in control.”
Ayla Rakoski (junior), Macie Crowther (junior) and Faron Linn (sophomore) are also stepping up to the varsity level.
Pierce City will lack size this season, but the Eagles will make up for it with tenacity and skill.
“We are not going down without a fight,” Wilson said. “A lot of bigger schools we played against this summer were shocked at our skill level because we are not a very tall team. These girls do not let the ball drop and have gotten really good at communicating with our hitters on where to place the ball.”
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Pierce City will host a jamboree on Aug. 22 at 5 pm with Ash Grove, East Newton and Pleasant Hope. The Eagles open the regular season on Aug. 28 at home against East Newton.
“I expect really great things this year. We may look small, but we are mighty, smart and determined,” Wilson said. “I am really excited for this year and for the ones to follow. We are really strong for our height and grades. We have a lot of sophomores and juniors stepping up this year.”
