By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Springfield Catholic volleyball enjoyed a successful season in 2023.
The Fightin’ Irish posted a 21-11-2 record, falling to Carl Junction in the district tournament.
Head coach Sydney Wheeler was pleased with her team’s development throughout the season and has high expectations heading into the fall campaign.
“We were coming off of two seasons where we lost key players, and our core players were forced to take on more of the workload and they rose to that challenge,” Wheeler said. “Our returners still remember the district semifinal loss to Carl Junction and learning from the mistakes made in that match will be a big part of our foundation for the 2024-2025 season.”
A trio of impact players return to lead the Irish this season in Kennedy Hartman, Millie Bauer and Tori Majorahn.
Hartman, a senior all-conference and all-district libero, recorded 524 digs last season and is currently No. 7 on the Class 4 career dig list in the state.
“She is the epitome of a “dog-bone” defensive player, letting next to nothing get past her and frustrating offenses across Southwest Missouri,” Wheeler said. “Outside of her defensive skills she is consistently passing over a 2.2 rating, meaning that almost every ball she takes out of serve receive is a perfect pass. This is close to one of her most valuable skills as serve receive not only relies on an athlete’s physical capabilities but their mental strength as well. Kennedy is actively engaged with several Division 1 programs with plans to continue her volleyball career at the next level.”
Bauer, a junior all-state middle blocker, finished with 426 kills and 77 blocks last season. She has committed to the University of Missouri.
“Millie Bauer is an undeniable asset at the core of our offense,” Wheeler said. “Millie had an amazing Sophomore season finishing the year on 426 kills, 31 of those in a single match against Logan-Rogersville. What is more impressive than her kill count is her hitting percentage (.406) which at certain times in the season saw her ranked among the top five in the state.”
Majorahn, an all-conference and all-district senior setter and outside hitter, finished with 350 assists, 357 digs and 176 kills.
“Tori Majorahn rounds out the major impact players returning to our court this year,” Wheeler said. “This kid is as steady as they come and just as naturally athletic. She will return this season as S/OH and we will look to her to run our offense and be an underestimated outlet. Her court awareness is one of my favorite attributes that she brings to the court. She is constantly looking for weaknesses in our opponents defense to pick them apart.”
Senior Annabell Cleeton also returns for Catholic.
“Annabelle Cleeton is a senior middle blocker that we will look to as a huge piece of our block and for her leadership qualities on and off the court,” Wheeler said. “There is rarely a moment where she isn’t smiling and any time she is addressed by a coach her response is always, ‘yes coach’ or ‘yes ma’am.’ She will be key in encouraging the younger players in our program and ensuring everyone feels included in the Springfield Catholic volleyball family.”
Wheeler also expects a pair of varsity newcomers to step in and make big contributions this season in freshman Emma Holstein and junior Stella Woodall.
“Emma Holstein is a freshman that we hope will make a big impact right away,” Wheeler said. “With a heavy arm swing and high contact point as a setter we feel confident that she will be able to not only meet but exceed these goals. Emma plays for an elite club team and we are hoping with that experience along with what she gained this summer she will slide into these varsity roles with ease.
“Stella is a workhorse and she is constantly looking for ways to improve her game. She brings a lot of quickness and athleticism to our program. Those attributes coupled with her effort should help her adjust to a full-time varsity defensive position.”
With a roster full of both talent and experience, Wheeler is optimistic for continued success this season.
“I’m very excited at the potential this squad will bring to the floor,” Wheeler said. “We tell them all the time how special they are and I want them to truly embody that. Each year new challenges arise that I have no way of foreseeing but I have the upmost confidence that these girls will not only rise to the adversity but will band together and make one another better for it.”
Catholic will look to the versatile duo of Majorahn and Holstein to run its attack from the setter positions.
“This year we are planning to run a 6-2 offense which means we will have two primary setters running their offense from the back row,” Wheeler said. “Tori and Emma will head these roles and I’m eager to see how the work they have put in this summer translates once the season begins. We have pushed both of them to run a faster offense and work to jump set every in system ball to keep their contact points higher. They both bring high volleyball IQs, and I have no doubt will be able to execute our offense as well as feed their primary attackers.”
Following an Aug. 27 jamboree at Willard, Catholic opens its season Aug 31 in the Branson Tournament.
