By Chris Parker
Carthage volleyball finished 14-14-1 in the first season with Bradyn Webb as the head coach in 2020. The Tigers were young last year with just three seniors on the roster.
That young team is now a more experienced squad that will look to make some noise in the COC.
Senior Sydnee Dudolski returns after leading Carthage in kills last year with 303. She was named second-team all-conference. Dudolski will play outside be a six rotation player for Carthage this year.
“Sydnee is a huge player for us. I expect her to continue her successful season from last year,” Webb said. “Sydnee takes chances but is extremely smart with her placement of the ball. She can read the other side of the court very well.”
Fellow senior Olivia Bourgault and sophomore Riann Schwartz will also be key team leaders. Bourgault is a libero who led Carthage in digs (315) and serve receptions (402) last year. Schwartz is a defensive specialist that contributed 142 digs and 248 serve receptions as a freshman.
“Olivia is one of top leaders. She is our most vocal and positive leader we have. Olivia is one of our most consistent athletes we have on the court. The coaching staff puts a lot of trust in Olivia,” Webb said. “Schwartz has gained more confidence and has become a solid performer for us this summer. Olivia and her have taken control of our back row play.”
CLICK HERE FOR A FULL SEASON SCHEDULE
Seniors Grace Pickering (outside) and Sophie Shannon (middle) also return.
“Grace played middle last year for us. She will be moving into an outside position for us. She has a great reach and has shown us great potential for an outside hitting position,” Webb said. “Sophie played middle for us last year. She has improved so much and has worked hard to get there. She puts up a great block and has become consistent for us over the summer.”
Junior setter Raven Probert will step up from junior varsity to varsity this year.
“(Probert) has really stepped up to get this role on our team. She worked her butt off and earned it. She is one of the hardest workers we have in the gym,” Webb said.
DOWNLOAD THE O-ZONE APP NOW!
APPLE – CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
ANDROID – CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
Not only was Webb a new head coach last year, but her players also had to adjust to playing in a best-of-five set format from a best-of-three.
“Every set is different and teams can completely turn things around from one set to the next. Being able to play five sets gives us the flexibility to change things around when we need to,” Webb said. “We have higher expectations for practice. We want to prepare our athletes for that fifth set match when they have to perform at their best when they are exhausted. In order for us to do this we ask our athletes to give us their very best at practice. This has paid off for us and the girls have seen it too.”
Carthage hosts a jamboree with Joplin, Nevada and Aurora on Aug. 24. The Tigers open the regular season on Aug. 28 at the Bentonville Tournament.
