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Nixa volleyball entered Saturday’s state volleyball championship seeking the program’s first state title.
It only took two sets to make that dream a reality. Nixa swept perennial power Lafayette (Wildwood), owners of six state titles, 25-17, 25-22 to claim the Class 4 title.
“It is very surreal at this moment. I honestly knew that this group had what it took to do it all along. I am so happy for them to have realized this dream,” Nixa head coach Annie Zimmerman said. “I am just honored that I got to be a part of their journey. They are such a special group.”
Zimmerman was proud of her team’s poise in the title match. First by coming out and dominating in set one and then turning back a resilient Lafayette squad in set two.
“I was so excited to see our kids come out and start that the way that they did. I thought we were very composed. We knew what we had to do and we stuck to our game plan. I am just so proud of their execution. Even when things weren’t perfect they were quick to regain that composure and think about that next point and that next play,” Zimmerman said. “Even when Lafayette pushed us in that second set and got within one our kids still kept their composure and finished it.”
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This is something the Nixa girls have been aiming for since their season ended in the district title match last season and even long before.
“It is really overwhelming. We all knew that we could do it and we have all worked so hard all these years that we have played together. Just this whole season we have been doing amazing things,” Jordan Collard said.
“(It is) a dream. It doesn’t even feel real,” Kenzie Hines said. “Our main goal was this right here. It seemed so far away at the beginning (of the season). To actually do it is just amazing for all of us. I think it is something special we will always remember together.”
Offensively, Nixa was paced by Lauren Weber and Jaycee Fixsen who each had seven kills. Collard chipped in five kills with Hines and Taylor Golmen had three each. Sydney Golden was the architect of that offense with 23 assists. Weber also led in digs with 11.
One advantage Nixa had was a passionate and raucous crowd supporting them the whole way.
“We couldn’t be more thankful for our student fans (and) our parents. They go with us everywhere. They have that kind of energy every single game. It is a huge difference for us and it gives our kids a real boost on the court. We are just so glad they got to go on this ride for us,” Zimmerman said.
Nixa finishes the season with a 37-4-1 record.
This team’s legacy will leave a mark on Nixa volleyball for years to come.
“I think that they have set a standard for Nixa volleyball,” Zimmerman said. “Not just in their wins and this state championship, but in the way that they treated each other and supported each other. It really was a team-first environment all the way through.”
The win was even more special for Zimmerman as she won her 300th career match as a coach.
