By Chris Parker
Parkview volleyball posted a fourth-consecutive double-digit win season last year in the first year with Amber Doolittle as the head coach.
“The coaching aspect was the same for me. I love being in the gym with my coaching staff and players in order for us to improve. What happens behind the scenes was different for me as a head coach. Especially dealing with COVID last year, there were a lot of unexpected changes that happened throughout season,” Doolittle said.
Two returning seniors in Essense Moore and Jourdyn McKinney are expected to have a big impact this year.
“This will be Essense’s second year on varsity playing as a right front. She has improved so much on the court and has taken on a leadership role. I always admired her work ethic in practice and in games. This year, Essense will be one of our go-to players. She has gained confidence in her abilities, and I believe that she will have an amazing senior year on the court,” Doolittle said. “Jourdyn McKiney will also do an amazing job as a senior on the court. This will also be her second year on varsity as a setter. She has played multiple positions the last three years for our program, and she has always delivered. She overcame an injury early on last season, which made her miss a few games, but she worked hard and did everything that she needed to do in order to return to the court. She has worked hard during off-season, and her teammates respect her consistency.”
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Alexandra Twedell will be a full-time varsity player as a junior after playing in 29 varsity sets last year.
“She came in a little nervous, but as time went on, she gained the confidence we needed. Her confidence carried over into off-season, and she has become a top hitter for us. Not only can she hit for us, but she is a top passer for us,” Doolittle said.
Junior Chasadie Hoyt will step up to varsity this year.
“She (Hoyt) was on junior varsity her first two years as a setter. I’m excited to see what she will bring to the court her first year on varsity. She’s somebody who is coachable and works hard on and off the court. She has been dedicated to off-season, and in that short amount of time, she has improved,” Doolittle said.
Aubrey Heath will be a key player on varsity as a middle in her sophomore season.
“She (Heath) played middle for junior varsity last season. She is an amazing blocker and strong hitter,” Doolittle said. “She is another player who wants to improve not only to help herself, but to help the team. I’m excited to see her play her first year as a middle this coming up season.”
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Parkview will travel to Rogersville on Aug. 24 for a jamboree with Fair Grove, Republic and the host Wildcats. The Lady Vikings open the season on Aug. 28 at the Branson Tournament.
“I am looking for my girls to play with heart every game we play, and to play together. If we are up, finish the game strong. If we are down, do not give up because we can always fight back and win a set. If we lose a game, I want us to be happy with the way that we played and not regret it,” Doolittle said.
