By Chris Parker
Pleasant Hope volleyball has a new head coach coming off a 24-win, district championship season. Ashlee Jones takes over as a first-team head coach.
“As far as coaching volleyball in general, I have a huge passion for the game and I hope I can inspire my players to love it as much as I do,” Jones said. “Playing at the varsity level was some of the best days of my life, and I hope to make it some of the best for our team. As far as the Pleasant Hope team, this is my home where all my kids go to school and my oldest stepdaughter is a freshman this year. They had a lot of success last year, and despite losing some strong talent, I see a lot of potential in these girls and want to help them see it in themselves.”
Four seniors that included all three of Pleasant Hope’s all-conference honorees graduated.
Sophomore Lexi Perryman and junior Graci Wolf each played in all 91 sets for Pleasant Hope last season.
“Lexi Perryman and Graci Wolf are both strong front row attackers, but have a lot to offer defensively on the back row as well as in their leadership of the team,” Jones said. “They are versatile players that will help makes things happen.”
Wolf had 79 kills and Perryman had 40 last year. Perryman led the team with 47 blocks last year.
Senior Kylie Tucker is the final returning varsity player. She saw action in all 91 sets last year and will be a setter along with sophomore Arewn Mehl this year when she returns from a pre-season injury. Tucker was second on Pleasant Hope with 250 digs last year.
Rylee Carver will see time at setter in her first year as a senior.
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“Rylee Craver will be standing in for Kylie Tucker as setter,” Jones said. “She is new to the team, but is a great leader who brings a lot of heart to the team.”
Junior Mackenzie Hamilton will be new to varsity as a libero this year. Sophomore Kenzie Bader will be a key presence on the front row as a middle hitter and blocker.
“Mackenzie Hamilton will be our libero,” Jones said. “She is aggressive in the back row both passing and in back row attacks.”
Pleasant Hope opens the season on Aug. 30 at home against Everton.
“I have high hopes for these girls to have a winning season,” Jones said. “The bar was set pretty high last year with a district championship title. Our goal for this year is to give every contest our best effort and reap the benefits of our heart and grit all the way into post-season play.”
