By Amanda Perkins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The McDonald County Lady Mustangs have a new volleyball coach following a five-win season.
Candi Bailey is now the face of the Lady Mustangs.
“This is my first year as the varsity coach for McDonald County,” she said. “My assistants are also new to the program.”
Last year, Bailey took a year off from coaching, but served as the freshman volleyball coach as well as varsity softball coach at Central Junior High, a feeder school for Har-Ber, for the four years prior.
“My first 13 years of coaching, I was the varsity volleyball coach of my alma mater, Magnolia High (Arkansas), as well as the varsity softball coach. I also coach club ball for Ozark Juniors out of Fayetteville.”
Returning varsity players include junior setter Jamie Washam, junior OH Layla Wallin, and middle blocker Roslynn Huston.
“These three will have to be the backbone of our team,” said Bailey.
Coach Bailey noted that Washam was forced into an early role last year, as the starting varsity setter tore her ACL.
“Jamie had to grow up pretty quickly in that setter position as a sophomore player last year,” said Bailey. “She will also hit for us this year and will provide some solid offense.”
Wallin saw time last year as a pin hitter.
“She understands the game and brings sound fundamentals,” said Bailey.
Huston is strong in her role as middle blocker, per her coach.
“Ros is naturally talented for that skill of the game,” she said.
“The rest of the team will be new to significant varsity time,” said Coach Bailey. “There are several girls that will have to step up for us to be successful.”
Charli Michaelis and Tori Berryhill, sophomores, and Jo Grigsby, a junior, will each hit from the pin position. Jozlynn Myers, senior, will function as a setter for the team. Sophomore Leslie Valesquez will provide some defense from the back row. Each of these players contributed to the varsity team this summer and showed improvement in the short time the new staff has worked with them.
“Right now, the girls are trying to figure out the fundamentals of volleyball and the systems that we as a staff are asking them to run,” said Coach Bailey.
“My expectations are for this year’s team to lay a foundation for the future,” she added. “We have focused on attitude, effort, and discipline this summer. I challenged them to lay the foundation for a future conference championship. I’m pretty sure a banner has not been hung for that in volleyball since the early 2000’s.”
“We have high expectations and hope to strive for a better season,” said Bailey. “With the work we have put in this summer, I believe the girls will see the fruits of their labor. They just have to keep buying in to the program and building into the bright future that Mustang volleyball will become.”
McDonald County will participate in a jamboree at Cassville Aug. 27 against Lamar and Seneca. Their first home game will be against Nevada on Sept. 17.
