Semoball

VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW: Malden hopes to continue recent success

Photo by Dustin Ward, staff
Pictured is the Malden varsity volleyball team. Pictured front row left to right are: Tanner Miller, Anna Belcher, Mackenzie Minniefield, Gracie Thomas and Julianna French; pictured back row left to right are: Madison Saulsbery, Shamyia Dobbins, Onerica Reed, Haven Wills, Nia Walker and Piper Schoemehl.

The Malden Green Wave enter the 2018 season hoping for continued success after putting together its best season in school history last year.

Malden returns three starters - Anna Belcher, Gracie Thomas, and Tanner Miller - off of last season’s squad that finished 26-8-1, won the Bootheel Conference Tournament and claimed its first district title in school history.

“We’ve gotten really good at setting to all parts of the net,” Malden coach Brittany Crane said. “That has made our hitting a strength and it should stay that way. We’ve been focusing on improving our blocking and running a quick offense in the offseason. We are trying to speed things up around here.”

Malden has five seniors, three juniors, three sophomores and seven freshmen in its high school program.

Crane said Belcher, who serves as the team’s libero, was named to the all-tournament team at the camp they attended in Rolla over the summer.

“Our defense is strong,” Crane said. “We are looking for our blockers to help our defense out though and give them a break every now and then.”

Crane said Thomas and Onerica Reed are the top candidates to be the varsity’s starting middle hitters with Mackenzie Minniefield starting as an outside hitter. Miller, Julianna French, and Piper Schoemehl are expected to assist with the setting responsibilities on varsity.

Crane expects Campbell, which Malden beat in the championship of the Bootheel Conference Tournament last season, to be one of the top competitors in the conference again this season.

“Campbell is definitely on the rise right now,” Crane said. “We are going to keep a close eye on them and not underestimate their age. Their age doesn’t mean anything and they’ve proven that.”

Malden will compete in Class 2, District 1 with Caruthersville, NMCC, Charleston, Portageville, Senath-Hornersville and Twin Rivers at the end of the season.

“We are still learning some things about the new teams in our district, “Crane said.

Malden opens its season Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. when it visits Hayti.

“We’ve been working our tails off this summer and hopefully and it shows,” Crane said.

Photo by Dustin Ward, staff
Pictured is the Malden junior varsity volleyball team. Pictured front row left to right are: Hailey Rojas, Makayla Walker, Abby White, Piper Schoemehl and Arysa Bristow; pictured back row left to right are: Madison Saulsbery, Alissa Olson, Mallory Perkins, Allison Dearman and Olivia Slaughter.

*


MALDEN VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE

DateOpponentLocation
8/25Malden JV TournamentMalden
8/28HaytiAway
8/30South PemiscotAway
9/4NMCCHome
9/6KennettAway
9/7-9/8Dig for Life ClassicCape Girardeau
9/10PortagevilleAway
9/11ClarktonHome
9/13Twin RiversHome
9/17OranHome
9/18BernieHome
9/22ASU PlaydayJonesboro
9/24SenathHome
9/27Gideon-RiscoAway
10/1CampbellHome
10/2CaruthersvilleAway
10/4SikestonAway
10/9-11Bootheel TournamentTBA
10/16HolcombAway
10/18BloomfieldHome
Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: