By Tyler F. Thompson (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
This season, the Bolivar softball program will welcome a new head coach with a familiar face.
Alicia Wollard enters her first season as the Liberators’ head coach after spending the 2023 campaign as an assistant.
Camaraderie and depth look to push the Bolivar attack to a deep postseason run this fall.
The team returns nine starters and three seniors to the fold: a nice luxury for Wollard and company. Those seniors being Hailey Hale, KaCee Jenkins and Harper Rowell.
Familiarity will play a vital role for the Liberators this fall, as Wollard and the girls already have the necessary chemistry.
“I think it was really good for me to come in and get a relationship with the girls as an assistant,” said Wollard, who previously coached in Fair Play before joining the Liberators. “I would say a benefit is building those relationships and already having them; and taking the head job, I think they know a little of who I am as a person. They are learning my expectations and philosophy, but there is a trust that was already built. That is a benefit to me stepping in to being the head coach.”
While Wollard has placed her intangible print upon the program, one message continues to resonate with the players: Competitiveness.
So, what can fans expect from the program in ’24?
“I think we are going to be really competitive this year,” said Wollard. “We have great pitching, great catchers. One of the things that I see is that we are really deep in multiple positions. We have a lot of people who can be versatile players — infield and outfield.”
Starting in the circle will be Makayla Methvin, who enters her junior season after logging time as a sophomore.
“She had to be in the circle a lot for us last year,” said Wollard.
Also in the circle will be Novalee Hendricks.
Catchers will be Jenkins and Brooklyn Hamilton.
“They are pretty interchangeable,” Wollard said of Jenkins and Hamilton. “Brooklyn will be a sophomore this year. As a freshman, she stepped in and showed she can handle her own back there.”
Last year, the team went 10-18 after falling to Camdenton, 10-2, during second-round action of the Class 4 District 6 Tournament.
But with time comes experience, and Wollard said the maturation change is evident.
Holding down the defense in centerfield will be Maze, whose sheer athleticism looks to make another leap.
In short, Maze has all the tools.
Said Wollard: “I think she is outstanding. She can read a ball; she is quick and has an arm. She really does a great job for us.”
At the current time, the Liberators are not scheduled for a preseason jamboree.
The Liberators will commence the regular season Aug. 30-31 at the 30th annual Morrisville Softball Tournament.
The home opener is scheduled for Sept. 9 when they host New Covenant Academy.
