By Chris Parker
Forsyth volleyball was a young team with just two seniors last season, but that young team found success winning 19 games.
This year, Forsyth will have to replace the leadership of those two players but return a solid core of experienced players.
“We will definitely miss our two seniors, Kloe Hendrickson and Katelyn Collins, and their presence on the court and team this upcoming season. Kloe was our libero and her consistency on serve-receive, hustle on defense, and leadership played a huge role in the success of our offense. Katelyn led our team in blocks and was a fierce competitor and vocal leader for the team,” Forsyth head coach Melissa Ellison said. “The biggest area of growth for our team this past season was that there were several players who had to step up and become six-rotation players, learning to play as a confident team, and competing and battling with several close matches against a tougher schedule last season.”
Leading the returning players is senior Savannah Koen. She earned all-state honors putting down 466 kills with a hitting percentage of .327%.
“I was so excited to see her get recognized for all-state. I know that she was proud that all of her hard work and passion for volleyball has paid off,” Ellison said. “Savannah is a huge force on the outside. She has a great vertical and hang time and is strong and smart. If she’s not bringing the heat and pounding the ball, then she’s finding the holes on tips or roll shots catching teams off guard, and getting kills that way too. The power, consistency, ability to hit over blocks, and the versatility she brings on the front row makes her an effective and efficient hitter and a challenge for teams to defend her.”
Koen is more than just a powerful hitter. She brings versatility to the court after she finished second on the team in total blocks, digs, assists and serve receptions while finishing third in aces.
“Last season, Savannah transitioned into a six-rotation player, and she did a great job defensively, as well as providing an effective back row attack option,” Ellison said. “Savannah’s knowledge of the game and her athletic ability gave me the option of asking her to play different roles or positions. It’s always a nice problem to have to have an athlete with her athletic ability, that is able to play multiple positions. If we ever needed to mix it up and switch up game plans to try something new, she was always up for the challenge, and did what she needed to do to be successful in that role.”
Tatym Halbrook returns for her senior year at setter. She led the team with 750 assists as a junior, which helped her earn second-team all-conference honors.
“Tatym was new to Forsyth school district last year and immediately stepped into the role of running a 5-1 making a positive impact and did a nice job,” Ellison said. “She got to know her hitter’s strengths, and their preferences of sets, and worked hard to improve her consistency. Having her run a 5-1 made an immediate impact and played an important role in our successful season. Having her experience back, and her knowledge of the strengths of some of our key hitters, will make the flow of our offense run smoothly and it will be much stronger.”
The duo of Koen and Halbrook will be a formidable hitter-setter combination this season.
“They both learned to trust and have more confidence in each other. They have put in the reps to focus on their timing and will continue to work on improving that connection as well as running several other hitting options,” Ellison said. “Tatym knows that Savannah is our go-to hitter, and when we need a way to find a kill, she has confidence knowing Savannah is going to get the job done.”
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AnnaBelle Barrickman (senior MH/OH), Judith Wallis (senior OH/DS) and Lindsey Essary (senior RS) also return this season.
Ellison on Barrickman: “Belle was another player who stepped it up and became another one of our go-to hitters last season, and she earned all-district honors. Belle is strong, smart, and brings versatility on the front row playing confidently in any position she’s asked to play. She’s a huge competitor and gets the team fired up. She came alive and dominated in so many key games last year. She’s another one that transitioned into a six-rotation player for us last season and has shown so much improvement defensively and on serve receive. I expect her to push herself to her full potential even more this season, improving her consistency, power, and leadership for the team. She will be another difference-maker in our offense for sure and will make her presence known.”
Ellison on Wallis: “JC also stepped up for us last season with her new six-rotation player role. It was her first year seeing consistent varsity time. Her positivity, athleticism, and defense made her an important part of our team’s success last season and will again this year as well.”
Ellison on Essary: “Lindsey got comfortable and confident RS last season, focusing on her role to put up a consistent and effective block. She is smart knowing where the holes are in our opponent’s defense. She’s another vocal leader for our team.”
Haley Avis (senior defensive specialist), Madilynn Cook (senior defensive specialist/setter), Anna Cardwell (junior setter/defensive specialist), Lauren Turner (sophomore outside hitter), Josey Graham (sophomore defensive specialist) and Lily Roberts (junior right side) will all be competing for varsity sets as well.
Gabrielle Thompson (sophomore middle hitter) will step up to the varsity level.
Experience has expectations high this season.
“Our biggest strength will be all the returning players and the experience at the varsity level they bring. With graduating only two seniors, most of these girls returning were our key players. I have no doubt it will be another fun and exciting season to watch,” Ellison said. “I hope to see several girls stepping up to become better leaders this year. We also need to continue to become scrappier and more aggressive on defense, play smarter and work on eliminating unforced errors, being unselfish and better team players, and being mentally tough especially during those nail biter games, playing to win.”
Forsyth opens the season on Aug. 26 at Branson. It will be the start of a season that the Lady Panthers hope lasts until deep into the playoffs.
“I hope to encourage the girls to continue to work hard and push themselves, improve their leadership skills, and have the goal of at least 20 or more wins this season,” Ellison said. “We also want to be a strong contender in the Mid-Lakes conference and compete to earn another spot in the district championship. I know the girls are hungry and hoping for another district championship appearance because of the way our season ended last year. It was such a great competitive repeat rivalry match-up, and it was an exciting, intense battle the entire night with Mountain Grove, and then Savannah went down with an injury and was unable to return to the game. The momentum was shifting our way, and when Savannah got hurt it was emotional for the girls and took a bit for them to regain their composure and some momentum again. I know it was a heartbreaker for them, and they want a second chance this year with the hopes of a different outcome.”
