By Chris Parker
Waynesville volleyball won 13 matches last year, which was the most for the program since 2015. The Tigers will have to replace several key players to improve upon that record this year.
“We will need to really focus on our first contact so that we are able to be an offensive team,” Waynesville head coach Amber Barkley said. “We lose several key positions to graduation so we are trying to fit together the right lineup to make that happen.”
The Tigers return just one player who had more than 22 kills last year, but that player is one of the most imposing front row players in the Ozark Conference in Breona Hurd. Hurd, a University of Virginia basketball commit, led the team with 219 kills on her way to honorable mention all-conference honors last year.
“Obviously Bre is an athletic kid. Basketball and volleyball both utilize quick movements, require you to be able to move laterally and use teamwork. She works on all of those skills with us and while she’s traveling the country playing basketball,” Barkley said. “Her size is a huge asset. She’s a big block, has a powerful swing and can change the momentum of any game. Even though she’s a big kid, she has really soft hands which most people don’t expect.”
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She led the Tigers in blocks with 28 last year.
Senior Kesare Garcia and junior Torrey McCall are the only other returning varsity players for Waynesville.
Garcia had 178 digs and 363 serve receptions last year.
“She (Garcia) contributed as a defensive specialist last season,” Barkley said. “She will be expected to carry a lot of the pressure defensively and on serve receive as our libero. She is a high energy kid who will bring leadership to a younger, inexperienced team.”
McCall lettered last year after seeing action in 60 of 101 sets.
“She (McCall) could play right side or outside this year depending on what we need,” Barkley said. “She’s a versatile kid who will do whatever is asked and whatever we need to help the team be successful.”
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There will be several players new to the varsity level, but not Barkley’s system as several junior varsity players will be stepping up this year.
“I think our biggest strength is going to be teamwork,” Barkley said. “Most of the girls played for me last year and know what to expect. We will need to be a balanced team and be able to spread the ball around to our hitters and work together in order to be successful.”
Waynesville will travel to Washington for a jamboree on Aug. 23 before opening the regular season on Aug. 25 at home against Jefferson City.
“The expectation is to build on last season,” Barkley said. “I want to keep improving and building the Waynesville volleyball program through consistency, hard work and commitment to each other and the goals we set.”
