By Chris Parker
Greenfield volleyball is poised for a big season with six seniors returning from last year’s 17-win team. This group of competitive seniors won district titles in 2019 and 2020.
“I’ve been told that it was necessary to bring out extra teachers to recess duty for these girls to play four square in elementary school; that’s an example of how competitive they can be,” Greenfield head coach Marla Kemp said. “I’m going to do everything in my power to channel that competitiveness and athleticism into a successful senior season.”
That senior group includes Marlie Wright, Trista Torres, Jasmine Feezell, Addy Kinder, Haley Gossett and Tatum Torres.
Wright is a three-time all-district honoree who led the team in kills (306), blocks (57), digs (397) and serve receptions (381).
“Marlie has over 1,000 career sets but transitioned last year from setter to playing middle front and back,” Kemp said. “Marlie is solid in all aspects of the game and will most likely move to hitting mostly on the outside where she has more room for her big swing. Marlie’s serve receive and digging will be key to team success. Last season she had 381 good service receptions and 397 digs. She had 59 total blocks last season and we will be looking to keep her blocking stats by adding her to the outside blocks as well as some time in the middle.”
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Trista Torres was second on the team with 232 kills on her way to all-district honors.
“Trista spent most of her freshman and sophomore season as a solid libero,” Kemp said. “She was challenged last season to transition to middle front and back. Trista had 232 kills and 30 blocks last season with 317 service receptions and 375 digs. Trista is solid in all areas and is involved in most every play.”
Feezell orchestrates the offense as a setter where she led the team with 538 assists.
“Jasmine became our offensive playmaker last season when we transitioned to her running our 5-1 offense as setter,” Kemp said. “She is a smart player with a consistently tough serve who has made steady gains in defense.”
Kinder saw action in 67 of 85 sets last year and will be a strong outside hitter.
“Addy keeps the team together with her enthusiasm and ability to make light of tough situations,” Kemp said. “She’s developed a strong outside swing that has been making an impact all summer as well as the ability to read the ‘junk’ balls coming over to make scrappy plays.”
Gossett will likely see her role expand after a strong summer.
“Haley has probably made the most improvements this summer of all players,” Kemp said. “She’s becoming a strong middle with good timing for blocks and is becoming more consistent with a quick middle swing. She’s also becoming more confident in her outside hit. She has been working on a nice jump serve as well.”
Tatum Torres, a 2020 all-district honoree, returns after missing all of last season with a torn ACL.
“She’s back, not quite 100% but getting stronger every week,” Kemp said. “Tatum was a dominant hitter and blocker for us her freshman and sophomore seasons but tore her ACL during our jamboree last season. Tatum’s sophomore season stats included 85 total blocks and 167 kills from a balanced offense. She’s been working to improve her passing to play all six rotations this season. Tatum will be influential to the Lady Wildcats success this year.”
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Senior Sabrina Walker returns to Greenfield’s roster this year. She is six-feet tall and will look to enhance the Wildcats’ blocking and hitting capabilities. Lizzy Morrison is another senior who will be joining the team this year.
Freshmen Kayleigh Back and Alyssa Dejager have shown promise over the summer and could make a varsity impact.
“Our biggest strength this season will be our ability to move players to any position if adjustments are needed against opponents. Due to last year’s circumstances (injuries), our players are more well-rounded rather than specializing in certain positions as in years past,” Kemp said. “There will be a focus on team chemistry with an emphasis on being selfless and resilient. Skills-wise, we will be doing a lot of work in setting double blocks to strengthen our defense.”
Greenfield will travel to Stockton for a jamboree before opening the regular season on Aug. 27 at the Verona Tournament.
