By Chris Parker
Billings volleyball has a head coach in Brady Greear this season. It is Greear’s first season as a high school volleyball coach, but Greear has been a head coach at the middle school level. He is also the head coach of the Billings baseball team.
“Knowing the girls on the team, and the quality group that they are, made it an easy thing to say yes to when I was blessed with the opportunity,” Greear said. “They are a fun, competitive group that will work hard and do things the right way.”
He has an experienced group of upperclassmen to lead the way in his first season, as Billings looks to extend its streak of double-digit wins to 15 straight seasons.
“We will lean on our senior leaders and more experienced players to guide us this year,” Greear said. “We have a solid core of seniors that know what it takes to win and get the job done. In addition, we plan on being a high-level serving team that will be scrappy and compete for every ball.”
The returning players for Billings include Lancey-Joe Bellamy (senior), Brooke Collison (senior), Carly Baker (senior), Kess Graham (senior), Kyla Essick (junior), Georgia Vesci (junior) and Alexa Garbee (sophomore).
Greear on Bellamy: “Lancey-Joe Bellamy will captain our team this season. She will set and hit outside for us while playing all six rotations. She does everything at a really high level, and we will count on her to be at her best this season.”
Greear on Collison: “Brooke Collison is another senior returning for us. Brooke will operate mainly as a middle, and we are expecting her to take a big leap forward from her junior season. She has been working hard this summer, and I believe that will show when the season starts.”
Greear on Baker: “Carly Baker will play RS for us and gives us another experienced player on the floor.”
Greear on Graham: “Kess Graham didn’t see a lot of varsity time last year, but she will this year, primarily as a DS. Kess has been one of our hardest workers this summer and is one of our team’s best passers.”
Greear on Essick: “Kyla Essick will be our go-to hitter this season. She will primarily play OH and will play all six rotations. In addition to her hitting, her passing and serving are weapons for this team.”
Greear on Vesci: “Georgia Vesci also got varsity time last year, and will do so again this season. She has the ability to play numerous positions on the floor, and also brings the energy for our team.”
Greear on Garbee: “Alexa Garbee got some varsity time as a freshman last year, mainly as a back row player. This year we will count on her to do it all as a setter, and also as an OH/RS when in the front row. Alexa has all the potential in the world, and I am excited to see what she can do this season.”
Avery Clinton (senior), Bailey Newell (sophomore), Ava Rhoads (freshman) and Penelope Mauldin (sophomore) are newcomers to watch.
Greear on Clinton: “Avery Clinton will handle libero/DS duties for us this season. Avery prides herself in getting to every ball and is also an emotional leader for us on the floor. She will be a key piece for us this year.”
Greear on Newell: “Bailey Newell will also be an impact player this year both as a middle and RS. Bailey is the hardest worker on our team. After not playing her freshman year, she has looked really solid in preseason and should get a good amount of playing time.”
Greear on Rhoads: “Ava Rhoads is also in the mix for time on the floor this year. She will contribute as a RS player at the varsity level, and I am excited to see what she will be able to do both this year and in the future for our program.”
Greear on Mauldin: “Penelope Mauldin is another player who will see time for us at the varsity level as a middle/RS. Penelope is a wall at the net, and when she is out there, opposing hitters will have a tough time.”
Another change for Billings this season will be a new conference. The Wildcats move from the SWCL to the newly formed Greater Ozarks Conference that features Crane, Greenwood, Morrisville, New Covenant, Pleasant Hope and Spokane.
“I am excited about the new conference and all that it brings,” Greear said. “I think it presents an exciting new beginning not just for volleyball, but for all of our sports and education programs moving forward.”
Billings opens the regular season on Sept. 3 at Pierce City.
“Our expectations are high, and we are unwavering in that aspect. Even though we’re a small school, we expect to compete with everyone on our schedule and continuously improve throughout the season,” Greear said. “I couldn’t ask for a better group of girls to kick off my volleyball career with. With them, our assistant coaches, and our managers, I am looking forward to what should be a fun and exciting season of Wildcat Volleyball.”
