By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Following two-straight losing seasons, Fair Grove volleyball turned things around in a big way in 2022.
The Eagles posted a 30-2-4 record and captured the program’s first district championship in ten years.
Entering her 23rd season at the helm, head coach Tonya Peck was pleased with her team’s performance and competitive nature during the season.
We had a great season last year winning conference, districts and finishing with a 30-2-4 record,” Peck said. “But, we ultimately fell short of our goal of making it to the final four with a 5-set loss in quarterfinals to Strafford.”
Gone is graduated all-state honoree and lone senior Kameron Green; however, expectations remain high heading into the fall campaign with two additional all-state selections returning to the Fair Grove lineup in Hannah Maxwell and Brooke Daniels.
Maxwell, a 5-foot-8 senior setter, finished with 62 aces, 245 kills, 583 assists, 374 digs and 27 blocks as a junior.
Daniels, a junior setter, recorded 42 aces, 189 kills, 568 assists, 410 digs and 25 blocks last season.
“These two have worked together and ran our offense the past two seasons,” Peck said. “As they enter their third year together we expect them to ramp up the leadership. We are looking for them to lead the team with more than just their stats, which are very impressive. Their body language and energy that they play with will be a key factor in our team’s success.”
The duo will be joined by fellow returnees Allison Findley, Faith Klindworth, Ashton Bell, Shea Skouby and Abbey Green.
Findley, a 5-foot-7 senior outside hitter, posted 63 aces, 243 kills, 305 digs and 22 blocks as a junior.
“Alli is a 6-rotation player,” Peck said. “She is a steady for us with passing and has continued to improve on her attacking, especially from the back row.”
Klindworth, a 5-foot-8 senior libero, finished the season with 48 aces and 392 digs.
“Faith moved to a new position last year earning the libero spot,” Peck said. “She excelled in this position and has continued to improve on movement and reading hitters, and we look for her to be that spark on the back row that we need.”
Bell, a junior outside hitter and 6-rotation player, recorded 26 aces, 111 kills, 244 digs and 23 blocks last season.
“Ashton is one of our biggest competitors and brings a lot of energy to our court,” Peck said. “She continues to grow as a volleyball player and we look for her to pick up some leadership with her energy.”
Skouby, a 5-foot-11 junior middle hitter, posted 67 kills and 27 blocks last season.
Green, a 5-foot-11 junior middle hitter, finished the season with 34 kills and 33 blocks.
“Shea and Abbey shared the second middle position last year,” Peck said. “We are excited that both young ladies have had a large amount of varsity experience coming into this fall as they will both be our middle positions this season. Shea is an explosive attacker … and Abbey’s strength is her blocking. We look for both of these girls to step up and fill the gap of graduation.”
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With 7 of 8 starters from last season returning, it’s easy to see why Fair Grove’s expectations are high heading into the fall.
“We hold very high expectations for this season,” Peck said. “We have a group of girls that like to win. Our leaders compete every day in practice and expect their teammates to do the same. Every season our goal is to get to the final four. This season will be no different, and we expect a sense of urgency from our girls as they have the state tournament in their sights. We will work hard to get better every time we step on the court.”
On offense, the Eagles will utilize a balanced, multifaceted attack, according to Peck.
“We are one of the most balanced attacking teams that I have coached,” Peck said. “We are able to put pressure on our opponents from any position, front or back row. Our setters run a selfless offense and each player has to be ready and prepared to be set.”
The secret to Fair Grove’s balance lies within its individual players’ versatility.
“We have an advantage with our returners – all of them are capable of playing multiple positions,” Peck said. “Each player is expected to work on all skills in practice. This has allowed us to be able to move things around. On any given night, our lineup has the possibility of changing based on our opponent.”
Following an Aug. 22 jamboree at Parkview, Fair Grove will open its season Aug. 26 in the Branson Tournament.
