By Chris Parker
Bolivar begins play as a member of the newly former Ozark Mountain Conference this season coming off an 11-win campaign. The Liberators return a core of players who bring great chemistry to the court.
“Much of this group has been together for many years and has some great chemistry,” Bolivar head coach Kyle Smith said. “They fight for each other and have bought into a next ball mentality that keeps them in a lot of games where other teams might give up.”
Leading the way is one of the state’s most versatile players in Megan Howard. Howard earned Class 3 All-State honors last season after she led Bolivar in kills (433) and aces (54) while finishing second in digs (437) and assists (319). She is on pace to finish her career with more than 1,000 assists, kills and digs. This season, Howard will be both a setter and outside hitter.
Fellow senior setter Rayna Wilson returns as well. She led the team with 441 assists last season.
Seniors Anna Vaughn (libero), Anna Seiner (outside hitter) and Jaylena Baker (right side) also return. Vaughn led the team with 443 digs and was second with 632 serve receptions.
Heidi Roweton returns for her third season of starting as a junior outside hitter. Classmates Aby Kaufman (middle hitter) and Aubrey Cowden (defensive specialist) also return. Kaufman (189 kills) and Roweton (142 kills) were second and third on the team in kills last season. Roweton was first on the team in serve receptions while Kaufman led Bolivar in blocks with 28.
“This is the most solid group of returners we have had in many years, and they are all working as a group to achieve new heights for the program,” Smith said.
Bolivar will travel to Buffalo for a jamboree on Aug. 27 with the host Bison, Hillcrest and Osage. The Liberators will travel to the Branson Tournament on Aug. 31 to open the season.
“Our expectations are to play with passion, intentionality and execution,” Smith said. “To get better every day and allow the results to be a record of what we have worked on in practice.”
