SD: 2017 Volleyball Previews

Sikeston volleyball coach Steve Beydler talks to his team at a recent volleyball practice at the Sikeston Field House. (David Jenkins/Standard Democrat)

Sikeston Bulldogs

Following a winning season a year ago, the Sikeston volleyball team returns a couple all-conference and all-region players who helped get them there.

Seniors Annie Ensor, Morgan Merrill and Olivia Nash headline five returners who led the Bulldogs to a 17-13 season last season.

Merrill, an outside hitter, was a second team all-region and all-region selection, as well as an honorable mention nod for the SEMO Conference.

Nash, also an outside hitter, was a first team all-region and honorable mention conference pick.

Ensor, a setter who sits third all-time for Sikeston in career assists and single season assists, was a second team all-region selection.

Junior Zaria Blissett, a middle hitter, and sophomore Emily McHaffie, an outside hitter, join Sikeston's list of returners who hope a busy offseason pays off.

"We’ve had a good summer in the gym," Sikeston coach Steve Beydler said. "Also had a solid showing at the jamboree with Saxony Lutheran, Poplar Bluff and Campbell. We spent four days at the Missouri State University volleyball team camp playing some very tough competition. We learned a lot about ourselves that week and returned with knowledge about the areas we needed to improve in."

With the graduation of libero Ali Enax and outside hitter Morgan Poindexter, Beydler has moved freshman libero Khrystionna Swann to the varsity level.

The Bulldogs ended last year's SEMO Conference Tournament in the semifinal after a two-set loss to Notre Dame. They were ousted in the first round during the Class 4, District 1 tournament by DeSoto.

Sikeston expects another tough road to a championship in both of those tournaments this season.

"We are in a tough conference and district," Beydler said. "We are working hard on putting the pieces together to make a run in both of them by season’s end. It’s a long season between July 31 and the end of October. Our goal is to make improvements each time we step into the gym. Hopefully, we can stay healthy so it will pay off when we head into districts."

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Charleston Bluejays

The Charleston volleyball team has four returning starters for the new season and look to improve from a few down years.

They return junior starters Jazman Townsend, Jermaneja Smith and sophomores Nicole Hart, Ashanti Jones and hope the experience they have playing together translates to more success.

"Our team strength is that they've all played together for a few years and are really meshing well together," Charleston coach Jen Ford said.

The Bluejays lost starters Madyson McDermott, Keana Horton and Conner Watkins. With an influx of younger players and a focus on some of the basics of the game, Charleston hopes to see improvement.

"We have been working on better ball movement, not giving up, and team communication," said Ford. "I am really looking forward to seeing how the varsity will play this year. They play really well together."

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New Madrid County Central

With an experienced team loaded with three returning starters and seven seniors, the New Madrid County Central volleyball team hopes to improve on a 16-13-4 record from a year ago.

Wanting to create a bit more pace, the Eagles have been working on a new offense.

"We've been trying new combination plays and trying to quicken up our offense quite a bit," NMCC coach Whitney Gorton said. "We've been keeping it fresh for the girls each day by running new drills and games that keep them learning and interested in what they are learning.

"I think it will be an exciting year for us," Gorton added. "We still have some obstacles to overcome, but we are well on our way. Practices have been productive and fun for the girls. I've had to keep my girls open minded to change and willing to adapt to new positions, but there is a lot of playing time to go around for my very full bench of athletes. I'm very excited for this season and the girls are as well."

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Dexter Bearcats

(SMNS) – Dexter volleyball got its first piece of adversity in the first game of its first summer camp in early June.

Krysten Garrison went up for a tie ball and landed on the foot of another girl. The New Mexico State commitment tore her ACL and is out for the season.

“We’ve got a big loss and there is no getting around that,” Dexter coach Carmen Morgan said. “You take a Division I player off the floor and you’ve got a big loss, and Krysten is a good leader for us, also. But we have to concentrate on what we have and not what we don’t have. The mood is good, these kids are working hard.”

Garrison, who had surgery in early August after spending two months strengthening her leg muscles in preparation for the surgery and rehab, was still at Dexter’s fall media day and will be around the team this season.

“She is our team leader and our team player. She is our No. 1 out there and she knows it, too. She is our person we depend on all the time. She knows we’re hurting for her but we’ve got to step up and play for her. We’re going to miss her out there but she is going to help us out on the sidelines a lot,” senior Rhylan Hillis said.

Dexter still returns six seniors and nine upperclassmen to a team that reached the quarterfinals last season.

“We’ve been able to take charge. We’ve been in here since freshman year so we know what coach Morgan expects of us,” senior outside hitter Addie Kruse said. Added senior libero Megan Trout, “We were all here last year and losing in the quarterfinals was kind of tough on everybody. So we’re back in here wanting to work hard."

One of Dexter’s six seniors is Hannah Thurmon, who was All-Region and All-District as a sophomore, but did not play last season after tearing her ACL.

Dexter also returns a senior setter in Bailee Williams. Williams had 686 assists last season, averaging 8.6 per game and 86 percent of all the team’s assists. She split setter duties at times with Garrison, who finished with 61 assists, and should see even more passes come her way this year.

Williams also had 45 kills off 93 attacks to go with 217 digs.

Trout will take over at libero for Ashlynn Wyman, who graduated. Trout was fifth on the team in digs last season with 177 and was second in served received after Garrison with 242.

Dexter opens its season at Arcadia Valley on Aug. 21 and has its home opener Aug. 24 against Jackson.

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Oran Eagles

The Oran Eagles have four returning starters from a club that finished 10-14-2 last season. They're also under new leadership.

Amy Wibbenmeyer takes over as Oran's head coach after serving as an assistant under former coach Larry Boshell.

"I think we will be strong on the court with fundamentals," Wibbenmeyer said. "We have been working hard on communicating more so it will be interesting in our first game to see how that pulls through."

The Eagles lost starters Bri Stause and Megan Tenkhoff from last year. They've also been working on some of the basics to help improve on a losing season.

"We have the dedication and motivation to improve," Wibbenmeyer said. "We've been working on communication, consistency and serve receive."

Oran opens the season Aug. 21 against Kennett, which starts a streak of seven-straight away matches. Their first match at home will be against Scott City on Sept. 12.

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