By Chris Parker
Staci Saunders is back on the sidelines for Joplin volleyball as the interim head coach of the program. Saunders began coaching volleyball at Joplin in 1998 and became head coach in 2011. She retired from coaching in 2021, but a late-summer coaching chane brought her out of retirement for one more year.
“I played at Joplin. I am starting my 28th year teaching at Joplin Schools. They needed someone for this season and when I got the call, I wanted to help in any way that I could. I care about this program and the girls in it,” Saunders said.
She took over as head coach on July 13 with just three summer contact days left before practice started earlier this month.
“There were only three contact days left for the summer, so I didn’t get much time with them,” Saunders said. “We have worked hard and fast on building trust and relationships with each other. I have an excellent coaching staff who have really helped bridge the gap.”
For the players, they have persevered through all of the changes and uncertainty.
“These girls have handled the change and adversity of the summer with integrity and have been an amazing group of girls to work with,” Saunders said. “I am privileged to get a chance to coach them, and I am looking forward to a great season with them.”
Four players return from last season’s team that posted a 16-win season.
Senior Bailey Owens leads the returners as Joplin’s lone returning all-conference player. She was named second-team all-conference after she led Joplin in kills (323) and blocks (49).
“She (Owens) is a six-rotation player that can hit from anywhere on the court. She is a great leader, and we will be going to her as much as we can this year,” Saunders said. “Bailey Owens is one of those kids that comes along not very often. (She is a) very unselfish player with great volleyball skills and makes everyone around her better. Her leadership, along with the other seniors is a great strength for our team.”
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Fellow seniors Raelin Cauldron and Janiah Vaughn along with junior Adalynn Noirfalise also return.
Cauldron is a right-side hitter who played in 67 sets last season with 55 kills.
Vaughn played middle and right side last year but will move to the outside this season.
Noirfalise was pressed into action at setter due to injuries last year and finished second on the team with 266 assists.
“She (Noirfalise) will be the quarterback of our offense and will be expected to run the floor for us,” Saunders said. “She brings consistency and a calm to our team.”
Amy Kessler (junior) and Aubrey Strickland (sophomore) will bring a strong presence to the middle blocking position. Phia Vogel (junior) and Lucy Erisman (junior) are both competing for the libero/defensive specialist spot this season.
Abigail Eckert, Abery Bermudez and Gracie Sofia will round out the varsity team. All three are defensive specialists.
A team-first mentality will be at the center of the program this season looking to win 20 matches for the first time since 2017.
“They are great teammates,” Saunders said. “They play for each other. They are an unselfish group of girls that work hard every day in practice.”
Joplin will jamboree at Carthage with Aurora and Nevada on Tuesday before opening the regular season on Aug. 29 at Pembroke Hill.
