By Chris Parker
Christina Collins enters her second season as head coach of the Willow Springs volleyball program with five returning varsity players from last year’s team that finished 8-14-1 overall.
Leading those returning players is senior Liz Sheehan. Sheehan was an honorable mention all-conference selection last year. She led the Lady Bears in serve receptions (345) and digs (229). This year she will play setter.
“She (Sheehan) is a diverse player that can switch spots and she will know what to do and where to be at each position. Liz is our communicator on the floor. She likes to try and keep the girls talking and motivates them while on the floor,” Collins said.
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Classmate Ashlyn Jones will split the setting duties with Sheehan this year. Jones was named first-team all-conference after she contributed 409 of Willow Springs’ 455 assists last season.
Hailey Sigman will be on the front row at middle in her senior season. She was the team’s top hitter last year with 165 total kills.
“She (Sigman) has become a lot more aggressive with hitting the ball. Hailey also does a great job with getting to the blocks. She is coming back from a knee injury but is making great strides,” Collins said.
Seniors Connar Lowe (outside hitter) and Aubrie McNew (libero) round out the returning varsity players.
Sophomores Shea Riley (setter/blocker) and Aspen Crudgington (outside hitter/middle) will move up to the varsity level.
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“Our strength this year will be our blocking game. We will have lots of tall girls on the net this year to help with getting lots of touches,” Collins said.
Willow Springs will travel to Cabool for a jamboree on Aug. 26 with Houston, Willow and host Cabool. The Lady Bears open the regular season on Aug. 31 at home against Hillcrest.
“As a team they need to learn how to overcome difficult challenges that the season may present, while maintaining team unity “chemistry” with one another.
