By Amanda Perkins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
With a mission for improvement each season, Marionville is on a roll; for the fifth year in a row, they improved their win column, this time moving to 22 wins compared to 16 in the previous season. Head coach Krystal Allen returns to again lead the Lady Comets in their charge.
Senior Sydney Soutee is a returner and last year’s assist leader with 580. A setter and OH, Sydney earned second-team all-district and honorable mention all-conference honors. “Sydney is very consistent and a smart player,” said Coach Allen. “She runs a creative offense and is an aggressive hitter. She will bring solid leadership to the program.”
Evie Brown, senior, is a middle hitter who “has become an essential hitter for our team” per her coach. “She will bring a big consistent block and allows us to run a quick offense at the net,” said Allen.
Senior Brooklyn Holder, libero, also returns. “She has an incredibly fast reaction time and can pick up anything that is hit her way,” said Coach Allen. “She is a solid serve receive passer and works for hustle plays every time she is on the court.”
Anna Bright is an OH/RS and “an all-around athlete.” The senior “has played every position for our program and is very diverse in her skill,” said Allen. “We expect her to be a consistent power hitter and a solid block.”
Annaliyah Ghan, junior, is a setter and RS. “Being a left-handed power hitter, she is a fierce threat at the net,” said Allen. “She is our power go-to hitter and brings consistency and speed to our offense with her sets. We expect her to be an influential stat leader for the program.”
Sophomore Dally Pomeroy is an OH/RS and also plays back row. Coach Allen said, “Dally is incredibly fast and hard-working. She is a consistent hitter on the pin and one of our strongest defenders and passers.”
Lanie Stokes, sophomore, is a DS and hits OH/RS. “Lanie is an all-around athlete and can play any position on the court. She is quick and aggressive on defense. Her vertical will allow her to be a strong hitter and blocker for us at the net.”
Sophomore Eden Avery, middle hitter, “is incredibly quick and agile,” per her coach. “She puts up a big block and her vertical and core strength will make her a strong and effective hitter in the middle.”
The Lady Comets’ goal is to continue being a strong serve receive team. “We will focus on making our defense even scrappier and push to run a faster offense,” said Coach Allen. “We also need to clean up our blocking game. Our team chemistry is solid, so we will continue to build on that. We aim to be contenders of the conference championship and hope to see later success in the post-season.”
Marionville will jamboree Aug. 26 at Diamond alongside Crane, Diamond, and Monett. The Lady Comets’ first home game will be against Southwest (Washburn) on Sept. 5.
