By Chris Parker
Marionville volleyball improved its win total for a fourth straight year in 2022 stacking 16 wins.
“Our program is getting stronger and more athletic each year,” Marionville head coach Krystal Allen said. “We are always adding higher challenges and expectations in practice mentally and physically. We are also slowly increasing the strength of our game schedule. This summer we went to camp competing against primarily 3A-5A schools. Getting that experience competing at the higher levels is essential to our postseason success.”
Last season’s team was young with just two seniors logging time on varsity. The returning players have shown more consistency in their return to the court.
“This year I see more consistency mentally and physically,” Allen said. “These kids are learning how to mentally cope with being behind in a game and still keep a fighting mentality. This summer we have seen them be more creative and strategic in their offense and more consistent and effective in their passing and defense.”
Second-team all-conference selections Lucy Newberry and Hannah Phillips return.
Newberry was second on the team in both kills (161) and serve receptions (381).
“Lucy has become one of our greatest communicators on the court. She sets the tone for the team emotionally most games. We use her as a go-to hitter but also as a primary passer. She isn’t afraid to help the team make adjustments and give younger players feedback when they need it. She plays a large leadership role on and off the court,” Allen said. “Her competitive drive and desire to lead (are her greatest assets on the volleyball court). She wants to compete at the highest level and beat whoever is on the other side of the net every single day. She also expects her teammates to compete at their highest level every time they step on the court.”
Phillips led Marionville in both digs (455) and serve receptions (497).
“Hannah is the most reliable player on the court. She is consistent and you know exactly what you are going to get from her every day. She is a rock on the back row and exponentially increases our ability to run an offense in-system. She also doesn’t let herself slip into mental slumps if she has a few off balls. She fixes it quick and gets right back down to business,” Allen said. “Hannah holds high expectations for her teammates. She is vocal when she needs to be and will cut it to you straight. She brings a lot of confidence to players on the court on both the back row and the front row. I expect her to continue to grow her team’s confidence and bring the consistency we need game in and game out.”
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Lauren Medlin (senior), Sydney Soutee (junior) and Jana Fulp (senior) all return after each saw action in at least 82 of 91 sets last season.
Allen on Medlin: “Lauren Medlin is a returning player who will be a senior this year. Lauren’s energy is contagious, and she brings a whole new confidence to the floor. She is one of two setters in our 6-2 system. She runs a creative offense, knows who needs the ball and when, and delivers a beautiful hittable set every time. She gets hustle plays time after time and plays with a strong passion for the sport.”
Allen on Soutee: “Sydney Soutee is a returning player who will be a junior. She is the other setter in our 6-2 system. Sydney also keeps the offense creative and is able to set all three hitters with confidence. She is quick on defense and aggressive on offense. She will also be a power hitter for us on the pins.”
Allen on Fulp: “Jana Fulp is a returning player who will be a senior. Jana plays mostly right side and has become one of our most consistent hitters. She is able to hit around the block and find creative angles with her swings.”
Junior defensive specialist Brooklyn Holder and sophomore hitter Annaliyah Ghan will see a big bump in time on varsity after each had limited sets on varsity last season.
Allen on Holder: “She gets some incredible hustle plays, reads and reacts quickly and is very consistent on serve receive. Brooklyn never has a slow night. She goes hard 100% of the time she is on the court.”
Allen on Ghan: “She hits OH and RS and is very athletic. She plays quick reactive defense and is a power lefty. When she gets up and gives a full swing, its a power hit that is very hard to dig.”
This year’s roster brings versatility to the court.
“It is hard to nail down one thing (as a strength),” Allen said. “We are so mentally strong. We train mentally every single day. These girls can be 10 points down and still be determined to fight and win. They communicate and make adjustments well together. Another major strength is the diversity of their skills. All of our pin hitters can hit both pins effectively which allows us to deliver a very strong and creative offense. We are also very consistent serve receivers. We pass the ball very well off the serve.”
Marionville will travel to Crane for a jamboree on Aug. 21 before opening the regular season Aug. 26 at the Verona Tournament.
“My overall expectations for this team are high,” Allen said. “I don’t like to predict conference or district placements, but I expect us to be in the top percentages. We added another tournament this year, which we are excited about so we can continue to add to our level of experience. I expect them to win more games in less sets and bring a high level of play to the court no matter who the opponent is.”
