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Fall 2017 Preview: Niangua Volleyball

By Josh Hall (josh.hall@ky3.com)

Niangua has had a winning tradition at the younger levels when it comes to volleyball in the last couple of years.

Lady Cardinal’s coach Jennifer Callaway hopes to see that transition to the high-school level.

Niangua’s freshman and sophomore teams won the Mark Twain conference championship two years ago. This year’s incoming freshmen won the junior-high conference championship.

“I definitely have a group that likes to win,” Callaway said.

The Lady Cardinals will field nine freshmen on this year’s team that is coming off a 3-19-1 season after falling to New Covenant in the first round of the Class 1, District 6 tournament.

“I expect to build off of last year,” Callaway said. “We’re going to be young. It will be a building year, but I think we’ll do a lot better than we have in the past.”

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Niangua graduated three players in Ellie Wantland, ChyAnne Hyder and Angel Dawson, but the Cardinals also return three starters that made a significant impact last year.

Sophomore Jaycee Callaway leads the way after being named to the 2016 Mark Twain All-Conference first team. Dashawna Donaldson, a sophomore second-team all-conference selection is also back to help lead the Lady Cardinals.

Other returners from last year are seniors Alizabeth Donaldson, Melissia Letterman (currently injured), juniors Alivia Donaldson, Laura Biggers and Monae Kochs.

Nine other freshmen will compete for playing time at the varsity level. In total, Callaway said the Lady Cardinals will field 17 to 18 players

“We actually have numbers now,” Callaway said. “They’ll be fighting for playing time. Before, I’ve only had maybe eight or nine.”

Niangua doesn’t have a specific goal in mind for this season, but the Lady Cardinals are sure about one thing.

“All we know for sure right now is we want to win games,” Callaway said. “Last year we had a lot of close losses. We struggled with finishing. We have sat down and talked about that and kind of have a motto this year – we’re not going to back down and play it safe. We’re going to play until the end.”