By Chris Parker
Seneca volleyball is coming off a 23-win season winning the program’s first district title and sectional win. That team was led by four all-conference seniors.
“The senior class last year was very talented, and each athlete brought something special to our team,” Seneca head coach Rachel Ayo said. “Team chemistry was incomparable, and the girls pushed each other every day to get better. They definitely have given our younger athletes motivation to push themselves in the offseason and for them to say, “Why not us? Why not Seneca?” The district and sectional wins followed by a hard quarterfinal loss which would have secured our spot in the final four, were huge moments for the athletes and our program. It is something that the team, our program and the community will remember for forever.”
Now the focus turns to replacing 885 of 1,256 kills from last season along with the team’s setter.
“We graduated our setter and four strong hitters last season,” Ayo said. “Finding kids who can help us offensively is going to be huge. Improving offensively and running a faster tempo offense will help us to be successful this year against our opponents.”
The cupboard is not completely empty with first-team all-conference selection Jera Jameson returning. She was second on the team with 343 kills last season.
“Jera will definitely be one of our go-to kids on the floor. Her swing is very hard for defenders to pick up, and she does a remarkable job reading the floor and swinging around the block. She will be one of our primary offensive weapons,” Ayo said. “Jera’s athletic ability and size at the net as both a hitter and a blocker are her greatest assets on the court. She is a great defensive player too, but her swing is what separates her from others. She reads the court extremely well and will swing anywhere she is told. Jera has been a varsity athlete since her freshman year. Her volleyball IQ is high, she adjusts extremely well as a hitter, and her multiple years of varsity experience will be huge in her having a successful senior season.”
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Senior libero Ella Graham is the team’s only other returning starter. She had 33 digs and 396 serve receptions last season.
“Ella is a great leader on the court and will out hustle anyone,” Ayo said. “She is a very versatile player and can play anywhere. She is a great defensive player, and we learned this summer that she can swing well from the front row too.”
Sophomore letterwinner Anna Adkins will be the team’s primary setter this year after seeing action in 44 varsity sets as a freshman.
“She (Adkins) was our go-to kid if we needed a sub and she does extremely well under pressure,” Ayo said. “She can literally play anywhere you ask her to. Anna will be changing roles this year and be a setter on the varsity court. Her athleticism and volleyball IQ are going to be huge contributors to our team.”
Seniors Danessa Macy (DS/L) and Valencia Araujo (DS/RS) along with sophomore Maddy Hembree (OH/DS) will be newcomers on the varsity level. Emma Darnell, Jaime Eitemiller, Olivia Haase, Harley Lankford, Olivia Leonard and Bella Middick are all a part of a large sophomore class looking to make a varsity impact.
Seneca will travel to McDonald County for a jamboree on Aug. 22 with the host Mustangs, Cassville and Lamar. The Indians open the season on Aug. 29 at home against Neosho.
“This season is going to be a big rebuilding year for our program,” Ayo said. “A lot of adjustments will be made with new faces in the varsity lineup and roles slightly shifting for our players. I expect us to compete at a high level against all our opponents and I see great pot
