By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Carl Junction volleyball program won an incredible eight district championships between 2009 and 2020, but finished as the runner-up in each of the past two seasons.
Now, the Bulldogs are hitting the reset button – and hoping it’ll lead them back to glory.
“Our main focus this year is our culture — being a good teammate, building relationships and accepting roles,” Carl Junction coach Cheryl Sharples said. “We have missed this element for the past couple of years.”
Despite that, the Bulldogs have won 22 or more games in three straight seasons, including the 22-11-2 record they compiled last fall. With several key contributors returning to pick up where they left off, Sharples sees that continuity as one of the team’s biggest strengths.
Players are also buying into the renewed emphasis on the team culture, embracing new positions and responsibilities to lead the Bulldogs to success.
“We have players willing to play the roles that have been offered to them,” Sharples said.
Two of those Bulldogs — junior Karissa Chase and senior Kylie Scott — return after collecting all-district honors last season.
Scott also earned a spot on the all-conference team. She led the Bulldogs with 344 kills, while her 36 aces, 328 receptions and 226 digs are all tops among returning players.
Chase put down 210 kills and picked up 37 blocks.
“It is always great to have players back that have made big impacts the previous season,” Sharples said. “Both players are (having) a great summer and we look forward to what they can do on the court this season. Kylie and Ris both bring multiple years of varsity experience and we will look to them for bigger leadership roles.”
Those roles were previously held by the Class of 2023, which included record-setting setter Lo Jones. The Arkansas signee finished with 3,503 career assists — the third-highest total in state history — despite missing about 20 percent of her senior season with an injury.
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While Jones leaves big shoes to fill, Sharples said two Bulldogs have been training for the opportunity. Senior Miya Carnes took over the role when Jones was injured last season and performed well. Sophomore Jadyn Howard, who returned from an injury in July, could also see time at the position this fall.
Four-year starter Destiny Buerge, fellow all-district honoree Jocelyn Brown and Mid-America Nazarene signee Adia Kennedy also graduated, but there are plenty of Bulldogs who are ready to fill the roles previously held by that trio.
It’s just a matter of “where each player will fit into the system,” Sharples said.
Seniors Sara Buchele, Abigail Wilson and Aubreigh Fowler are all returning starters.
Buchele, a defensive specialist, recorded 203 receptions, 150 digs and 32 aces last season. All rank second among returning Bulldogs.
Wilson, an outside hitter/defensive specialist, was right behind her with 175 receptions and 108 digs, while no returning Carl Junction player recorded more blocks than Fowler’s 42.
Acadia Badgley and Jocelyn Wengert saw limited varsity action last season, but are looking to graduate to full-time roles.
Badgley is a senior middle blocker.
“Acadia has had a great off season and brings a solid presence in the middle,” Sharples said.
Wengert is a junior defensive specialist.
“She brings passing and defense strengths to the court,” Sharples said.
Defensive specialist Anna Lewis could also have an impact.
“Anna brings defensive quickness to the court,” Sharples said. “We will look to her to add depth to our defensive pool.”
Carl Junction will travel to Webb City for an August 22 jamboree against the Cardinals, Mount Vernon and Clever.
The Bulldogs will kick off the regular season on August 26 at the Nevada Invitational, while their home and conference opener will be August 31 against Joplin.
“We have had a fun summer,” Sharples said. “I have enjoyed coaching this group and their excitement for the game and each other.”
