By Chris Parker
Galena volleyball has big goals this season coming off a 32-win season and the program’s first district title since 2009. The Lady Bears accomplished all of that with a young roster featuring just one senior.
“We’ve had some great leadership from our senior players over the past few years and that has translated into a culture of expecting to win each time out versus just hoping to win,” Galena head coach Joe Miller said. “These younger players have bought into the system that we’re teaching, and they understand what it takes to be successful.”
Experience gained last year will be an asset this year.
“Both of my setters come into this season with more confidence and playmaking ability,” Miller said. “They were both fairly new to the position last year, so hopefully that full year of experience will allow us to expand on our offensive options this season. We have also done a much better job on our blocking during the summer. We will need to keep improving in that area to have the type of success we desire.”
Miller has been the team to beat in Class 1 over the past few years. That is the quality of program Galena will need to beat to advance to the program’s first final four.
“The Miller Cardinals have been one of the elite programs in southwest Missouri the past several years,” Miller said. “They have had our number the past few years, both during the regular season and in the playoffs (last year). Playing teams of that caliber has given us the opportunity to see what it takes to be successful beyond the regular season and beyond districts. The girls understand that we’re going to get our opponent’s A-game every night out, so we can’t afford to overlook anyone, and we have to treat everyone on our schedule as if they are as good as Miller.”
Galena returns a host of players this year, but leading the way is reigning SWCL Player of the Year and all-state selection Kaesha Walter. Walter accounted for 455 kills on a .355 hitting percentage last season.
“It all starts with her amazing athletic ability. I’m not sure I’ve been around a more naturally gifted player in my 20 years of coaching,” Miller said. “With that being said, Kaesha has put in the time and effort required to be an elite volleyball player. She never misses practice, and she attends every off-season activity on the schedule including the voluntary early morning workouts that we offer all of our athletes.”
She is a threat to score no matter where she is on the court.
“Kaesha’s best asset is her ability to score from any spot on the court,” Miller said. “Obviously, she can score from any position on the front row, but now she has developed the confidence and the skills needed to be an effective back row attacker which should provide even more opportunities for her and the team.”
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Bree Rice was named second team all-conference last season, leading the team with 405 assists while putting down 137 kills.
“Bree is the true vocal leader of the team,” Miller said. “The other players feed off of her energy and she does a great job of keeping everything under control, even when the team might be struggling a little. Bree has a lot of fire in her, sometimes too much, and in years past she has let her emotions get the best of her. After a few early season discussions last year, she has really accepted that role as a leader, and she understands the importance of maintaining composure and that all of these younger players are looking up to her for guidance and support. I couldn’t be prouder of who she has become as a person and as a player.”
Melanie Rice was an honorable mention all-conference selection as a freshman after she posted 207 kills.
“Mel, like Kaesha, has a lot of natural athletic ability. She has also dedicated a lot of time and effort into being a great volleyball player by participating in club volleyball the past few seasons. She recently made the decision that she would like to play college volleyball, so she is very motivated to continue improving as a player each and every time she steps on the court,” Miller said. “Her passing has improved over the summer, so she will be given the opportunity to play some back row this season.”
Averi Foster (junior setter/RS), Baylee Stacy (junior libero/DS), Maribelle Martin (junior middle hitter) and Chaley Plottner (senior middle hitter) also return.
Miller on Foster: “Averi will again be our other setter and brings a lot of speed and hustle to the team. Averi plays at 100 mph and is fearless, exemplified by her play in the district championship game last season in which she jumped over one of our players laying on the ground to make a play on a shanked pass. She landed on her chin and split it open but only missed a handful of plays while they glued her back together.”
Miller on Stacy: “Baylee is our do-it-all player. Her primary responsibility will be passing but she is also quite capable of playing any position on the front row and is one of our best servers.”
Miller on Martin: “As our tallest player, Maribelle will carry the load in our blocking as she did last season. She missed most of her freshman season due to injury so this will be her second full season on varsity, and we expect her to become more of a threat offensively to go along with her strong blocking ability.”
Miller on Plottner: “This will be Chaley’s first season playing the middle position and so far, she has done a great job of learning the position. Chaley is a coach’s dream; she shows up every day asking questions, getting feedback, never complains and maintains a great attitude.”
Madison Thomas (junior, DS/setter, Justice Stiles (junior DS/setter), Jaiona Bailey freshman (DS), Maddy Bilyeu (freshman OH), Savanna Eutsler (junior DS) and Riley Martin (senior DS) are all newcomers who will compete for playing time.
Galena will host a jamboree on Aug. 24 with New Covenant, RUSH and Niangua. The Lady Bears open the regular season on Aug. 26 at the Verona Invitational.
“We’re focused on taking one step at a time and not looking too far ahead,” Miller said. “Obviously, we want to win our conference and districts. After that, we just want to make sure we are playing our best volleyball at the end of the regular season.”
