By Chris Parker
Liberty won its third straight district title with a 27-5-3 record last season. It marked the program’s 11th district title since 2009 along with at least the 14th consecutive 20-win season dating back to when MSHSAA records started in 2009.
“We have a great community foundation, our fans are great, our values are great and the work ethic is there,” Liberty head coach Shari Tune said. “When you believe in a program and give it your all, good things come out of it.”
Bre Daniels returns for her senior season after earning first-team all-conference and all-state honors last season. She led the team with 366 kills.
“Bre is just super athletic. She is bigger, but also jumps pretty good and has the correct fundamentals to be hard to handle,” Tune said. “I truly hope she takes this team and pushes them to never settle. She is her own worst critic, so that is her biggest weakness, and she knows that. She has to learn to lean on her team, and not feel so much pressure from herself.”
Daniels will play mostly in the middle but hits out of every position.
Kaylie Wagner returns at libero entering her junior year. She was named second team all-conference last season with a team-high 500 serve receptions and 323 digs.
“Wagner is the most athletic kid there is,” Tune said. “She is super-fast and is learning to read better as well. She has a high IQ of the game and that is a huge factor at this age.”
Junior Korie Lind also returns for her junior year after earning second-team all-conference honors. She will play all over the front row.
“Korie will be expected to lead the offense more. Her blocking is always what she has been known for, but this year I think we will get to see great things on both sides. She has a super heavy hand, learning control is our number one factor,” Tune said.
Lind led the team in aces with 49 last season.
Bryleigh Wallace gives Liberty a fourth returning all-conference player. She was named honorable mention all-conference as an outside hitter. She had 106 kills last season.
“She (Wallace) jumps out of the gym,” Tune said. “She has a ton of power, and we are working to grow her shot selection. She will move across the back line this year as well; she is very fast and scrappy.”
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Seniors Kinzie Tomey and Maci Tharp each played in almost every set last season.
“Kinzie Tomey will be another huge asset. She in the past has been known for her blocking, but I expect to see some offense out of her this year, she is really looking different on the floor. She is our hype, sometimes too much, but we have a lot of fun with her,” Tune said. “Maci Tharp will be seeing some time as well. We have tossed a 5-1, 6-2, and even some outside hitting for her in there this summer. She has the potential to do all of the above, so I am curious to see what she lays on the line this season.”
Kallee McDaniel returns for her senior year after sitting out last season.
Sophomore Jade Acklin (S/RS/DS) and juniors Aliyah Kramer and Ady Holden along with senior Grace Berkshire will be newcomers to the varsity lineup.
Acklin is a versatile weapon who can play many different spots.
“Jade can do it all. She is the most selfless player, just like her sister was. She will see a lot of time in any position needed just because of her heart and grit on the floor. She has been our other setter when we ran a 6-2 this summer,” Tune said.
Liberty also has a talented sophomore and freshman group who could push for varsity time.
“When we are on and clicking, we will be super balanced and scrappy. We have a great group of athletic kids,” Tune said. “Our biggest setback that will determine our season this year is our selfishness. If we can learn to sit it aside and work together it will be fun. Our mental game individually has to improve.”
Liberty will travel to Mountain Grove for a jamboree on Aug. 24 with the host Panthers and Summersville. The Eagles open the season on Aug. 28 at home against Licking.
“I always expect my kids to compete,” Tune said. “Competing teaches life lessons, and it’s a huge value to their future. We will push and push them to get their best out of them. We always want to be a competitor in the SCA and postseason games obviously, but my biggest expectation this year is to get them to mesh.”
