By Chris Parker
Pleasant Hope volleyball is poised for a big year coming off a nine-win season seven players who saw action in at least half of last season’s varsity sets returning.
While the players on the court will be largely familiar, the schedule will be new. Pleasant Hope begins play as a member of the newly formed Greater Ozarks Conference this season. The conference includes Billings, Crane, Greenwood, Marion C. Early, New Covenant and Spokane in addition to the Lady Pirates.
“We are really excited for the new conference,” Pleasant Hope head coach Ashlee Pulley said. “For our school to be a founding member of the conference is pretty special, and I look forward to coming together with the other teams and getting our kids recognized. It shook up our schedule quite a bit but should offer us some solid competition that will make for many fun and scrappy games this season.”
The returning players include Lexi Perryman (senior OH/DS), Lily Lambeth (junior OH/DS), Arwen Mehl (senior setter), Kenzie Bader (senior MB), Gracie Pulley (junior), Loraine Arciniegas (junior DS) and Kylee Agee (sophomore DS).
Coach Pulley on Perryman: “Lexi Perryman returns as an OH/DS who is looking to make an impact as a six-rotation player. She brings a solid block and is just a versatile player who can be counted on for her consistency in all areas.”
Coach Pulley on Lambeth: “Lily Lambeth will be Lexi’s opposite as a OH/DS six-rotation player. She has worked her tail off in the off-season to be sure to bring some incredible talent to our team. With an explosive arm swing, swift serve, and tenacity in the back row as a passer, I look forward to seeing how she grows even more this season as a leader of the team.”
Coach Pulley on Mehl: “She gained a lot of confidence as the team’s only setter last season as well and comes into her senior year prepared to be a leader on the court. She plans to work hard to get to her 1,000th assist goal as well.”
Coach Pulley on Bader: “She will make an impact on the front row both offensively and defensively. She also brings a consistent serve to our lineup.”
Coach Pulley on Gracie Pulley: “Gracie Pulley got the chance to move up to varsity last season after an injury put one our seniors out for the majority of the season. This year she returns as an experienced front row player who is versatile at both middle and right side. She provides a great block and significant front row defensive coverage.”
Coach Pulley on Arciniegas: “This summer her speed and passing accuracy has really shined, and she looks to fill the hole defensively left by one of last year’s seniors.”
Coach Pulley on Agee: “Kylee Agee saw time last year as a varsity DS and will return in that capacity this year. She is also very quick and not afraid to get on the floor.”
Sophomores Marley Bader (middle blocker) and Katelynn Smith (DS) will look for roles on varsity.
Coach Pulley on Bader: “She has a tremendous talent for volleyball, but we share her during our season with club soccer which she is also a standout in. She pulled up a few games as a freshman last year, but has proven herself this summer to have earned more varsity time.”
Coach Pulley on Smith: “She has seen a tremendous amount of growth from her freshman season in nearly every area. She will likely still hone her front row skills on JV, but has proven herself as a backrow asset that will be a program asset for the next several seasons of her career.”
Brooklynn Keck (senior), Evelyn Raylyanu (sophomore) and Jayda Garcia (freshman) will compete for time on varsity.
“The biggest strength for our team remains like past years and that the is family that we are,” Coach Pulley said. “From our freshmen to our seniors, we have a great group of kids that enjoy each other. We have a group of kids that complement each other in their personal strengths, and we have had most everyone playing together all summer which has helped us to work out some of our kinks before we get to season.”
Pleasant Hope travels to Pierce City for a jamboree on Aug. 27 before opening the regular season on Aug. 31 at the Verona Tournament.
