By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Nixa volleyball enjoyed another successful season in 2023.
The Eagles posted a 28-7 record, falling to Ozark in the district semifinal.
“What made last year’s team special is we were the sum of our parts,” head coach Annie Zimmerman said. “Our strengths were rooted in what we could do as a unit. We are all a work in progress. The ability to balance holding ourselves to a high standard while giving grace to yourself and your teammates is a life lesson I hope all of our players carry with them from last season.”
Heading into the fall campaign, Zimmerman will look to replace a talented class of graduates led by all-state honorees Jacy Bray and Paige Pearcy.
“[Bray’s] athleticism and court awareness made her an offensive threat which helped open up our other hitters,” Zimmerman said. “Paige understood the importance of being committed to the process & embraced the player development mindset.”
A quartet of upperclassmen will step into feature roles and lead Nixa’s attack this season in Chloe Judd, Amelia White, Gwen Kubik and Taylor Wood.
Judd, a senior middle blocker and Missouri State University commit, was the team’s statistical leader last season with 81 blocks and a .334 hitting percentage. She received all-district and all-conference honors.
“Chloe is a game changer,” Zimmerman said. “When she’s on, teams have to set up their defense to stop her. She has really worked to become a more efficient blocker.”
While, a senior outside hitter and Drury University dual commit for both volleyball and track, led the team with 64 aces in 2023. She received both all-district and all-conference honors.
“Whatever Amelia does, she does 110 percent,” Zimmerman said. “She’s committed to the process, weight room, practice, etc. There is no halfway, there’s no in between. She’s all in, all the time.”
Kubik, a junior outside hitter, recorded 193 kills as a sophomore.
“[Kubik] is a hard worker, doesn’t take herself too seriously and truly cares about her teammates,” Zimmerman said. “I love the physicality she brings to our front row and has the versatility to play multiple positions. Will be a force and has the potential for a breakout season in 2024.”
Wood, a junior setter and right side hitter, led the team with a 95 percent serving percentage last season. She received all-district honors as a sophomore.
“[Wood] is steady,” Zimmerman said. “She is deceptively fast and has a great mind for the game. I believe her ability to stay composed will allow her to make big plays in big moments.”
Zimmerman also expects a host of varsity newcomers to compete for playing time this season in junior Addy Bybee, junior Addie O’Connell, sophomore Mara Coulter, sophomore Mya McCubbin, sophomore Alivia Wood, freshman Cora Kubik and freshman Peyton Creed.
“We have several players who can play multiple positions which gives us a lot of line up options to work with,” Zimmerman said. “It will take time to determine player roles and there will undoubtedly be some growing pains; however, if our players will embrace the competitive environment we create in our gym each day, I think we have the ability to do some pretty special things.”
With plenty of depth and talent on the roster, Nixa will look for balance and versatility from its attack this season. Wood, Estes and Creed are all expected to compete for setting roles on the team.
“We will be trying lots of different options early and hope to be settled into an established rotation by mid season,” Zimmerman said. “Our goal will be to run the most balanced offense possible…multiple hitters on the front row that can score so opponents cannot key on just one or two players.”
Following an Aug. 25 jamboree at Kickapoo, Nixa opens its season Aug. 30 at Fayetteville, Ark.
