After graduating four all-state players from last year’s state championship squad, this Miller volleyball team has heard the doubters. “Everyone’s like, ‘Oh, Miller’s not going to be good this year,'” said senior Haylie Schnake.
And yet, the team’s record is similar to that of last year’s team. It’s thanks in large part to Alyssa Hill and Hailey Mart, who have taken on more prominent roles. “They [Hill and Mart] have become a huge part of our team,” said team libero Addison Stockton. “And they were a big part last year.”
Lillie Ricketts has replaced Alli Mitchell as the team’s setter. She’s filling in nicely despite doing it all a little differently. “For the longest time I looked up to Alli as a setter,” Ricketts said. “And she has a very big personality. And I’m kind of the polar opposite.”
And when they need that personality they can always count on Addison, their libero with the Cardinal red hair. “Coach T likes to remind me that I am my mother’s daughter,” Addison said. “Sometimes, whenever we get some big points, I will smack the floor as hard as I can. That’s a little bit dangerous, probably.”
And although kill-leader Ashten Kingsley is gone, her sister Emberlynn is still here to own the net. And to remind her teammates why they are here. “We wrote letters to ourselves in eighth grade,” Emberlynn said. “And a few of us all wrote that we’re going to win a state championship one day.”
Fellow all-district and all-conference standout Haylie Schnake can play any position on the floor. She continues to make a name for herself. But does that mean people are pronouncing it properly? “No, not really actually,” Haylie said, with a laugh. “Nobody really pronounces my name right. For the most part, I have like, three last names.”
But to Schnake and this class of 2023, the only name they’re worried about is the one on the state championship plaque this year. “We are good this year,” Haylie said. “That state championship, that is our goal and we’re going to win again.”
Confidence fit for a team that’s out to prove they’re no one-hit wonder.
