By Chris Parker
Cassville volleyball bounced back from a two-win season in 2022 with a 17-15-3 campaign last year.
The Wildcats will have to replace seven seniors who played varsity last year including two all-conference selections.
The team will be young, but persistent this season.
“This is a young group, but they never quit,” Cassville head coach Paige Huddleston said. “They lean on one another in the good times and the tough. I think this particular group has the longevity and ambition to get in the trenches and battle together. Never giving up could give us an edge in some tough matches this season.”
Aaliyah Franklin and Lorelei VanDerhoef are the lone returning senior players this season.
Franklin was second on the team in total blocks last season with 58. She will play middle.
“Aaliyah will be returning to the middle for us this season and we anticipate big things from her,” Huddleston said. “She made an impact as a blocker last season with 58 blocks, and we predict she will get the same or more this coming year. She was underused as an attacker so we want to get the ball to her more this year which will give our offense more variety. Aaliyah is also a leader for us, and we will look to her in tight games.”
VanDerhoef, a setter and defensive specialist, will see an expanded varsity role.
“Although Lorelei mostly helped our JV as a six-rotation setter last year, she was a utility DS for us stepping in when needed,” Huddleston said. “Lorelei could help us as a setter or DS depending on our opponents and what offense we want to run with each game. She is also stepping into a leadership role and being a positive voice for this young group.”
Kennedy Truman played in 33 varsity sets as a sophomore.
“Kennedy has lettered the past two years for us as a utility DS, playing both middle and left back positions,” Huddleston said. “She is uniquely steadfast on defense, and we will look to her to steer the back row.”
Sophomore Audrey Kennedy broke onto the varsity scene in a big way as a freshman earning honorable mention all-conference honors. She was the only freshman to earn all-conference honors on the first, second or honorable mention volleyball teams. She had 196 kills last year and will play outside hitter.
“Audrey came in as a freshman last year and exploded on the outside,” Huddleston said. “She continues to improve her all-around game and we look to her to be a force for us as a hitter and on the back row, defensively. She is also exceptionally consistent at the service line.”
Taylor Kennedy, also a sophomore, saw a bigger and bigger role on varsity as the season progressed last year. She was second on the team with 191 assists in 64 sets.
“Taylor was moved to varsity shortly into the season last year as a setter and really started making connections with her hitters,” Huddleston said. “We will look for her to run our offense in a 5-1 or 6-2 depending on opponents. She is also developing her net play as an attacker and blocker, and I anticipate using her as an additional offensive weapon.”
Ansley Harris (junior right side/opposite), Kami Stough (sophomore defensive specialist/outside hitter) and Sammi Stockon (freshman middle) will look to impact the varsity this season.
Huddleston on Harris: “Ansley has been a six-rotation opposite on JV for us and comes in this season eager to prove her potential after seeing the varsity floor only four times last season. She could see time on either pin, but her growth as a blocker makes her standout on the right side for us. Ansley’s desire to be her best is contagious within this young group.”
Huddleston on Stough: “Kami came on strong as a defender in the offseason and is now working to refine her front row skills and be an all-around player. Her serve is a weapon and with confidence she could grow into a six-rotation player for us.”
Huddleston on Stockton: “Sammi has a big job as an incoming freshman, filling a hole in the middle for us. She blends well with the group and her hunger to be an offensive weapon is helping her find a place on this young squad. I see exciting things from her as she develops her all-around game.”
Cassville will host a jamboree on Aug. 27 with Lamar, Seneca and McDonald County. The Wildcats open the regular season Aug. 3 at home against Southwest.
“I always have high expectations with my teams to work hard and give their best, but I think this group is different,” Huddleston said. “We are young and will have some growing pains, but I expect us to battle harder than we have in the past, no matter the outcome.”
