By Chris Parker
Nevada volleyball returns one of the area’s top players in Delaney Hope.
Hope was named the Big 8 West Conference Player of the Year as a junior and also was named to the all-state team. She put down 423 kills with an efficient .384 hitting percentage.
“Delaney has been one of our program’s most efficient hitters since she was a freshman, and she’s only gotten better each year,” Nevada head coach Kori Dodson said. “This has come from her dedication to repetition and hard work. She has worked so hard to improve her game and reach her goals and every bit of it shows come game time.”
Hope will play middle front and middle back in her senior season. Dodson will look for more vocal leadership from Hope as a senior.
“My expectations for Delaney this year is to take on more of a leadership role vocally,” Dodson said. “She always leads by example on the court but would like to see her fill that role vocally as well.”
Senior setter Kyrsten Owen returns to the lineup coming off a second-team all-conference selection last season.
“Kyrsten is such a level-headed leader,” Dodson said. “Not much can rattle her, and she’s always has a calm appearance. She loves the game and has worked so hard in the offseason and season after season to improve her game, simply because she loves it. To have someone like her guiding our team and offense is great.”
She had 789 assists last season and the offense will go as she does.
“It (Owen’s experience) does everything for our offense,” Dodson said. “Kyrsten makes great decisions for us. To have a setter that can make those split-second decisions and put the ball where it needs to be for our hitters is critical. Her ability to find Delaney and get her the ball regardless of the position of the pass is impressive.”
CLICK HERE FOR LINKS TO ALL OF OUR FALL SPORTS PREVIEWS
Libero Lanie Jackson returns for her senior season.
“Her (Jackson’s) defensive gameplay is very strong covering so much of the court,” Dodson said. “She’s really started developing herself as a court leader as well. Her energy, talk, and love for the game brings us to another level of play.”
Senior Anna Ashby and sophomore Kimber Eaton will be newcomers to the varsity lineup. Ashby missed last season with an injury, but she is looking strong as a middle blocker. Eaton brings great athleticism to her outside hitter position.
Overall, the senior class and the experience they bring will be a strength.
“Our biggest strength this season will be the leadership of our nine seniors and the amount of returning varsity players that we have,” Dodson said. “This senior group has been playing together from such a young age, they interact well together and want to perform well for each other. Having a group like this leading the way is special.”
Nevada will travel to Carthage for a jamboree on Aug. 23 with the host Tigers, Joplin and Aurora before opening the season on Aug. 26 at its home invitational.
“This group has big goals of winning conference and extending our season well into the postseason,” Dodson said. “Each year we have gotten one step closer and we truly believe this year we can accomplish it.”
