By Chris Parker
Willow Springs volleyball is looking for a breakout season with five starters and seven players who saw significant varsity action on last season’s 10-win team returning.
“We will be bringing back five starters from last year which will give us a lot of valuable experience going into this season,” Willow Springs head coach Christina Collins said. “The team has created a lot of chemistry this summer and has learned how to work together to use their individual skills.”
The Lady Bears are aiming for the program’s first winning season since 2017 behind those seven players which include: Katlyn Brixey (senior setter), Aspen Crudgington (senior outside hitter), Pasiley Crudgington (sophomore middle), Karson Gilbert (junior outside hitter/middle), Sydney Stuart (sophomore), Aleisha Shanks (junior libero) and Zoey Holmes-Fox (junior outside hitter).
Brixey was second on the team in assists with 183 last season.
“Katlyn will play an important role in making our offense run smoothly and getting ball to the right hitter each play,” Collins said. “She will also share the role of being a leader on and off the court. Her communication skills will help the team stay positive and finish close in important games.”
Aspen Crudgington is the lone returning all-conference player. She earned honorable mention all-conference honors last season after she led the Lady Bears in serve receptions (315) and finished second in kills (131).
“Aspen has played varsity since she was a freshman and will have the most experience of anyone else on the court,” Collins said. “With her experience, I will be looking for her to share the role of a leader. She has been one of our strong go-to hitters for years now and I am expecting the same this year.”
Pasiley Crudgington put down 124 kills as a freshman last season.
“Pasiley has worked hard during the offseason,” Collins said. “She will take over the middle for us this year. She has the want and drive to do a very good job as a middle. Her size and reach will help the team up front with her blocking and hitting skills. She strives to be the best player on either side of the court. She is the player that holds everyone accountable.”
Gilbert led the team in kills (150) and blocks (64) as a sophomore.
“Karson will be moving around a little this year from middle to outside,” Collins said. “Her size and swing help her play a huge role on the net for our team. She can read the ball very well, which makes her one of our best blockers we have, if not the best.”
Stuart led Willow Springs in assists with 253 as a freshman.
“Sydney is a player that I can put anywhere on the court and know the job will get done,” Collins said. “She has a very high volleyball IQ and is never afraid to try anything. She doesn’t get down and keeps a positive attitude no matter what.”
Shanks posted a team-high 208 digs to go with 260 serve receptions last season.
“Aleisha will take over our libero spot this year,” Collins said. “She had played outside but has adjusted to her new role on the team very well. There is not a ball that she will not go after. She is very quick on her feet, which allows her to do her job thoroughly and covers a lot of the court.”
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Holmes-Fox saw action in only 39 of 83 sets last year due to injury. She is back healthy this season.
“Zoey didn’t get to play very much last year because of a shoulder injury,” Collins said. “She has come back stronger than last year and has earned her starting spot back. She has a powerful swing that can help the team when we need to get the ball down. Zoey is one of the best teammates I have seen. She is always cheering and lifting her team up no matter the circumstance.”
Alexis Sigman (freshman outside hitter), Lily Leija (senior defensive specialist) and Hynlie Johnson (junior setter) are new players to watch.
Collins on Sigman: “Alexis has been in the setter position this summer and doing a good job for us. She will help the team out on the front row with her height and blocking ability. She will lack experience this year but is eager to learn the skills that will make her a better player.”
Collins on Leija: “Lily will step in on the back row for the team to fill in when we need help passing. Lily has a great attitude and will help keep the team focused.”
Collins on Johnson: “Hynlie will play back row setter for us this year. She got some varsity time last year that will help her out this year. She is also a player that I can move outside and know she will do a great job as well. Her experience from last year will help her adjust to situations that might arise this year.”
Confidence and health will be key for Willow Springs this season.
“The girls need to have more self-confidence on the court so they can achieve their true potential. When they have confidence, their communication improves, which allows the team to become successful,” Collins said. “Staying healthy is going to be big for our team this year. The team has already dealt with several injuries over the summer and hoping for a full recovery before the start of the season.”
Willow Springs will travel to Houston for a jamboree on Aug. 24 with the host Tigers and Cabool. The Lady Bears open the regular season on Aug. 29 at home against West Plains.
“Expectations are very high this year for my girls,” Collins said. “They have the ability to do very well this year if they allow themselves to. We have the experience and talent of any team in our conference but lack confidence. With confidence this team is very capable of having a successful season. How successful is up to them.”
