By Chris Parker
Central volleyball has a new head coach in Brooke Tadlock this year. Tadlock played collegiately for Missouri State from 1997 to 2000. She has 10 years of experience coaching at the club level.
Tadlock was excited when the opportunity to take over the Central program presented itself.
“I love the atmosphere at Central with players and students coming from all over the area to attend,” Tadlock said. “I also am excited to work with the IB students, as I believe my methods of teaching the game will intrigue them to see and play the game differently.”
Tadlock takes over a program that won 20 matches for the first time since 2013 last year.
“I have a highly skilled group of juniors, along with some seniors and sophomores that will make this team very strong for this year and the next few years to come,” Tadlock said. “Thanks to (former head coach) Bri Walsh they are already very bonded and ready to start competing together.”
The offense returns a steady hand in junior setter Coco Buschhorn. Buschhorn earned first-team all-conference honors as a sophomore last year after she handed out 588 assists. She also had 166 digs.
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“She is extremely athletic and competitive, which are two of the best qualities to have in a setter. She pushes herself hard and those around her,” Tadlock said. “She is very important to this team for many reasons. She is a leader and capable of running the offense I will be encouraging them to work towards. She plays the game well and understands exactly what the team needs at all times.”
Buschhorn will also be attacking more this year.
Mili Sylvester is the team’s returning leader in kills. She had 175 kills on her way to second-team all-conference honors as a sophomore.
“She dominates the net as both a huge blocker and a hitter that is hard to stop. She is intimidating to the hitters on the other side of the net taking them out of their game mentally,” Tadlock said. “I expect her to lead the team both in blocks, as well as kills.”
Meghan Grone (junior outside hitter), Blakely True (junior outside hitter), Laramie Hill (junior libero), Anya Presley (senior middle blocker) and Seriyah McCaw (senior right side) are Central’s other returning players this year.
Tadlock on Grone: “(Grone) will be a strong leader for this team as well. She will bring consistency and versatility to the court in her ability to attack from any position both front row and back row. She sees the block well and is extremely aggressive.”
Tadlock on True: “(She) also will be a consistent attacking force for us having a background as both an outside hitter and a middle blocker, so she is comfortable running quicker sets from every angle and will put up a solid block.”
Tadlock on Hill: “(She) will run our defense in the back row with the ability to play both left back and middle back defense. She is a playmaker that reads well and goes for everything.”
Tadlock on Presley: “(She) will also be a threat in the front row with her speed and ability to get up quick and place the ball strategically.”
Tadlock on McCaw: “(She) adds flexibility and strength to our setting position with her ability to set and attack effectively from the right side.”
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The sophomore trio of Da’Mya Dickson (setter), Jasmine Green (right side/outside hitter) and Addie Green (middle blocker) will be players looking to step up to varsity this year.
Tadlock on Dickson: “(She) will add depth to the setter’s position with her quickness and excellent ball control that will allow us to utilize Coco Buschhorn as an attacker as well as a setter.
Tadlock on Jasmine Green: “(She) will add depth to the team with the ability to play both the right side and outside hitter positions effectively.”
Tadlock on Addie Green: “(She) will also add height and depth to the team with the ability to play the middle blocker and right side positions effectively
The roster is full of players who know the game of volleyball well, which will help as some transition to new positions this year.
“They are strong in their knowledge of the game and their ability to make decisions both as a team and independently on offense and defense during matches to know what is necessary to be successful,” Tadlock said. “We have a few players that will be playing positions that are not their primary positions, so it will take some time for the team to get comfortable in their roles, along with staying healthy, as we’ve had a few injuries this summer that has slowed progress down a bit.”
Central will host Hollister, Lebanon and Strafford for a jamboree on Aug. 24 before opening the regular season on Aug. 27 at the Branson Tournament.
“A lot of people have mentioned that this year will be a rebuilding year for this team after losing our strong seniors from last season, but I don’t see it that way at all,” Tadlock said. “ I believe they will be a force to reckon with this year.”
