By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
A new face will patrol the Clever sideline this season, as former Catholic head coach Dan Evans has unretired in order to take over for Bri Walsh.
“One week after I retired from Springfield Catholic I was driving home and heard the coach at Clever had gotten the assistant job at Missouri State. I pulled over and contacted the Clever AD, and a few days later we had an open gym and I got to meet the players. Clever is probably the only school I would have considered coming out of retirement to coach.”
Evans’s first order of business heading into the fall campaign will be finding a replacement for departed graduate and all-state selection Rylea King.
“Last year’s team ended 22-12-3 and lost in the district finals to Strafford,” Evans said. “Hopefully, that experience will push our returners to work hard to have an opportunity to play games after the regular season.”
Clever returns multiple players to build on last year’s success and a trio of seniors in outside/middle hitter Morgan Boss (185 kills, 33 blocks, 77 digs, 14 aces), right side attacker Jenna Thompson (190 kills, 8 blocks, 287 digs, and 41 aces) and setter Jocelyn Sisk (390 assists, 124 digs, 44 aces).
Three juniors also return to the Blue Jay lineup in outside hitter Chandlyr Friend (124 kills, 14 blocks, 52 digs), middle hitter Addie Gilmore (244 kills, 65 blocks, 57 digs) and outside hitter/setter Audrey Riley (190 kills, 13 blocks, 79 digs, 71 assists).
“Our returning juniors bring back strong offensive skills,” Evans said. “Riley will share setting duties with Sisk this season, and Friend will be a solid, 6-rotation player.”
Newcomers expected to make major contributions include junior Sydney Bollenbach, senior front row Alexa Orphan and freshman defensive specialist Madi Lansdown.
CLICK HERE FOR LINKS TO ALL OF OUR FALL SPORTS PREVIEWS
“I think our biggest strength is going to be a willingness to put team over self, the ability to accept roles, and I just think Clever volleyball girls are mentally and physically tough,” Evans said. “It has always been that way at Clever, and finally they are just really good kids. My phrase for the year is ‘Why Not Us?’”
For Clever to improve on last season’s success, chemistry and consistency will play vital roles, according to Evans.
“Volleyball is all about team chemistry – how do we get it, and then how do we keep it,” Evans said. “Teams that answer those two questions are successful. Another attribute of successful teams is the ability to not dwell on mistakes and move forward. As a coach I’m constantly trying to build self confidence and remind players everyone makes mistakes. Great players put mistakes behind them and focus on the next ball.”
Following an Aug. 22 jamboree at Webb City, Clever opens its season Aug. 26 in the Nevada Tournament.
