By Chris Parker
Nevada volleyball posted 23 wins last season behind a deep senior class that included five all-conference selections.
That senior group included the leader in almost every major stat category including four of the top five hitters in terms of kills, the top three in both assists and serve receptions and the top four in digs.
New players will look to step up for Nevada this season.
“Being a team with a lot of new varsity players I think many of them are eager for their turn to prove themselves and earn their time at this level,” Nevada head coach Kori Dodson said.
Senior Jenna Godsey and junior Kimber Eaton are the two returning players who saw action in a majority of last season’s varsity sets.
Eaton was second on the team in kills with 153. She is an outside hitter.
“Her (Eaton’s) athleticism puts her above many hitters in our area and we will turn to her as our power hitter,” Dodson said. “We are excited to see what kind of junior year she can put together.”
Godsey is a third-year varsity player who will move to the middle blocker position.
“She (Godsey) has incredible court vision and makes great decisions offensively with her high volleyball IQ,” Dodson said. “She will be a big leader for us this year on and off the court.”
Junior Ashlyn Dean is a libero who worked her way into the varsity lineup as the year progressed last season. She played in 41 total sets.
“Ashlyn was the player last year who we couldn’t keep off the court by the end of the year,” Dodson said. “She worked her way into the varsity lineup in various positions last year. Her energy and talk is unmatched. She sets the tone for our team defensively.”
Senior Jacey Williams will have a key role as a setter this season.
“Jacey will be our main setter this season,” Dodson said. “She makes great decisions for us running our offense. She has had to wait for this opportunity following a big, athletic class above her, but we have all the confidence that she can and will do this job well.”
Dodson will look for her team to make up for a lack of height with a strong defense.
“Defense is always part of the games that can be improved,” Dodson said. “We are not going to be the tallest team on the net so holding our own defensively will be a big priority as well as taking care of the ball, making smart choices and attacking with a purpose.”
Nevada opens the regular season on Sept. 3 at home against Joplin.
“Our team expectations this year are to compete in every game and grow each game,” Dodson said. “This team has a lot of potential that they showed this summer. If we are able to continue to grow each game, then our goals of conference champions and to compete in a district championship again will happen.”
