By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Camdenton volleyball program enters the 2024 season in unfamiliar territory – in more ways than one.
For the first time since 2018, the Lakers are coming off a season in which they lost more games than they won. A lineup dominated by juniors and sophomores finished 15-16 last fall, but most of those players have returned – and are a year more experienced.
“We return the bulk of our lineup and still expect to compete at the highest level,” Camdenton coach Austin Walker said. “Obviously, returning players that have played together is a positive. We understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses and know how to push each other to get everyone’s best.”
And after years of competing in the now-defunct Ozark Conference, those returning players are now getting ready for their inaugural season in the Central Missouri Activities Conference.
“There are no nights off for us or no games that you know you should go in and get a win,” Walker said. “We are no stranger to most of these teams, so it will put more at stake when playing these teams so we can compete for our first CMAC title.”
The Lakers return two players who earned all-conference and all-district honors, senior Bella Breuer and junior Bella Asante.
Breuer is coming off a season in which she led the team with 301 kills.
“Bella is a phenomenal athlete,” Walker said. “Bella’s volleyball IQ and training she has received in the off-season is unmatched in our gym. She is a leader by example and the hardest worker in our gym. She is a dynamic middle that will score points for us in tough situations. She can attack well off of one foot and she is working on being a weapon in the back row as well. She will be relied on a lot this year not only from the front row but in the back row in serve receive as well.”
Asante is entering her third year as the team’s setter. She’s already recorded 1,407 assists.
“We have seen her become a leader and her IQ has grown in the off-season training with elite athletes,” Walker said. “She has more confidence in herself scoring points and being the leader of the offense on the court. She is always making everyone around her better and she has learned to score points herself when she is in the front row. She has bettered herself on defense and our out of system game has grown because of that.”
Lily Hulett also returns after earning all-conference honors. She ranked third on the Lakers with 176 kills.
“Lily has improved her shot selection in the offseason,” Walker said. “She is more confident swinging down that line and is putting herself in position to score points for us by getting herself to the ball no matter where the set is. She has the ability to score points from behind the serving line as well, as she has a great floater serve.”
Madison Daniels and Kiley Bentley round out Camdenton’s four-player senior class.
Daniels, a defensive specialist/setter, is coming back from an ACL injury she suffered last winter. Her 264 receptions, 227 digs and 34 aces were all top-three totals on the 2023 team.
“She has been working hard to make sure she is in the lineup for the fall,” Walker said. “She has done a really good job of adjusting defensively as she returns and picks up a lot of tips on the right side for us. She is serve receiving confidently and will be relied on the attack from the back row as needed this year.”
Bentley, a defensive specialist, was also a top contributor for the Lakers. She registered 44 aces (second), 199 digs (fourth) and 319 receptions (second).
“Kiley is someone who has really stepped up and is taking the defense under her wings,” Walker said. “She is serve receiving at a high level and is digging a lot of balls for us in long rallies. Kiley has the confidence to shift our serve receive when necessary. She most importantly brings the energy every time she is on the court and energy for our team is going to be a large part of our success. She is a great team player and holds everyone accountable to do their job.”
Walker credited the seniors with their leadership through offseason workouts.
“They have made everyone feel like they have a role this year,” Walker said. “It truly makes a difference in those that play in the offseason and those that do not. The level at which we were able to enter our offseason practices in June was crucial to our development over the summer. We spent lots of time working on individual skills and team competition throughout the month of June and in July we spent time working as a team. I have also seen more confidence in our returning players as we’ve worked through our summer. With their confidence rising, we’ve worked more on taking risks to work on those skills and situations in which we are afraid of failing at. The hope is we build confidence now so that when the time comes in the fall, we are able to execute.”
The Lakers also boast a talented junior class.
Outside hitter Dot Krulatz played in about 75 percent of Camdenton’s sets last season, and will see a more prominent role this fall.
“She did a great job at knowing her role and keeping the ball in play for us,” Walker said. Most importantly, Dot is a great teammate and is there for whatever you need her to do. This summer she has seen a lot of time in the back row and is making great strides in the left back position for us. She is eager to learn the game and is always asking questions on how she can get better.”
Outside hitter Jayla Thibodeau will move up from the junior varsity.
“She is working on mixing up her swings and finding ways to score points,” Walker said. “She is working on becoming more comfortable with taking a risk on an out of system play and swinging well down the line. She also brings the energy to the court. She makes it to where you can’t not have her on the floor because she talks so well, which is something we’ve struggled with in the past. Jayla is also going to play some back row this year and is already growing her passing game.”
Tessa Adkins and Madison Sykora will also push for playing time.
Adkins provides depth on the right side.
“Tessa has spent time focusing on her defense and setting a good block against the opposing team’s outsides,” Walker said. “She works at making herself better for the team. She is getting more comfortable swinging from the right side and playing off blocker defense.”
Sykora gives the Lakers another threat in the middle.
“She is a dynamic athlete that can jump well and has blocked a lot of balls this summer,” Walker said. “She has a quick attack out of the middle and is working on getting more confident attacking behind the setter. She pays great attention to the details of blocking and attacking that will make a big difference in the fall.”
The Lakers will host Smith-Cotton and El Dorado Springs for a jamboree on August 27. Their regular-season and home opener is scheduled for September 3 against Lebanon.
“Our biggest strength is going to be our work ethic and our comradery,” Walker said. “These girls have gotten several compliments at team camp and throughout the summer on the way (they) work and the leadership our returners have shown. They work for each other and want the group as a whole to be successful. I have no doubt that when we find things we can improve on throughout the season that they will put the work in to improve those skills.”
