By Chris Parker
Sydney Wheeler enters her second year as head coach of the Springfield Catholic volleyball program with some key players to replace.
“The biggest change from this time last year to now is our size, with the loss of two hitters in key positions it is going to open up opportunities for players to step into roles that they may not have had prior,” Wheeler said. “In past years, the mindset behind the program has been to chase the final four appearance, and while that is likely every coach’s goal, I really want to focus on one match at a time. Pushing our players to have more of a defensive mindset will be key this year.”
Three seniors depart the program led by all-state selection Grace O’Reilly. She led the team with 464 kills as a senior.
Fortunately for Catholic, a trio of all-conference selections return including second-team selections Ava Walters and Kennedy Hartman along with honorable mention selection Millie Bauer.
Walters led the team with 852 assists as a junior. She will return to her setter position while looking to add to her offensive output as well.
“Ava is a very consistent player not only with her skill but her court presence as well,” Wheeler said. “She is a very positive player and I think that really helps put some of our more inexperienced players at ease. I want her to really envelope the role of a leader by example and she is proving that she is more than capable of this in our summer workouts.”
Hartman will return as a libero/defensive specialist after she led the Irish in digs (343) and serve receptions (497).
“Kennedy is a very special player, she really makes a goal to dig every ball that comes her way and is usually successful. She plays six rotations out of left back and her speed is such an advantage in that role,” Wheeler said. “I’m really looking for her to take more of a leadership role this year as she will be one of our most experienced players on the court.”
Bauer is the team’s leading retuning hitter. She put down 176 kills as a freshman.
“Millie has an advantage of being one of the tallest kids in most gyms while being naturally athletic,” Wheeler said. “She was definitely a part of the offense that we were trying to push last year and will continue to encourage her to be a major part of our front row.”
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The sophomore was an efficient hitter last season with a .307 hitting percentage. She will get more opportunities this season with 609 kills lost to graduation.
“She (Bauer) should expect to see more looks as part of our offense this year, as a middle it is key for us to stay in system as much as possible,” Wheeler said. “I think she and our setters will need to try to push the middle more than we might have in previous years.”
Tori Majorahn (junior), Kennedi Roubal (senior) and Millie Duff (senior) also return with varsity experience.
Wheeler on Majorahn: “Tori Majorahn is a six-rotation player that was a pleasant surprise to our offense last year. She is a great defender and steady in serve-receive. We are especially excited to see how she can contribute to our offense as she was hands down one of our most consistent attackers last season. This year we are challenging her to once again step outside of her comfort zone and assist with the setting responsibilities.”
Wheeler on Roubal: “Kennedi Roubal is another player that will return to our court with two years of varsity experience, and we are excited to see her return to the court with a more aggressive mindset on offense. She is a very steady defender and does a nice job for us out of serve-receive. Her experience will be crucial amongst a crew with some less experienced players.”
Wheeler on Duff: “Millie Duff was a role player for us last season as one of our most prolific players from the serving line. This year we will look to her to add to our back row strength as well as getting her feet wet on the front row. She is a cognitive player who is aware of her size and is able to use it to her advantage with different shots.”
Seniors Kate Hull and Sarah Stokes along with junior Annabelle Cleeton-McIntosh will be newcomers to the varsity rotation.
Wheeler on Hull: “Kate Hull is hands down one of our most committed players. Day-in and day-out, she shows up ready to work and get better for her team. This year we will see her step into some varsity time along the net. The best thing about (her) is she is ready to step into any role and does well out of the back row.”
Wheeler on Stokes: “Sarah Stokes is a player that has primarily played on the front row for our program. She has a heavy arm swing and will be a player that we can plug into different positions along the front row.”
Wheeler on Cleeton-McIntosh: “Annabelle Cleeton-McIntosh is a player we are excited to see step into a faster paced role out of the front row. She has height on her side, and we are working to increase her speed in her attack. She is eager to learn, and we are excited to see how she develops.”
Defensive grit will be key to success for Catholic volleyball this season.
“This year we will have to go into our matches with the understanding that the ball must not hit our court without the maximum amount of effort put forth,” Wheeler said. “I want our kids to develop some grit and play with confidence in their ability to stay in system regardless of who is across the net.”
Catholic will host a jamboree on Aug. 22 with Willard, Reeds Spring and El Dorado Springs. The Irish open the regular season on Aug. 31 at home against Parkview.
“Overall, we are expecting the team to lean on one another and find strength in each other,” Wheeler said. “I expect them to treat each other with the utmost respect and adoration. I feel that this year we can get that total team unity and that is going to be crucial to our success.”
Wheeler will be assisted by Arwen Pratt and Lexie Johnston this season.
