By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
With five starters returning from the program’s most successful season in recent history — including one of the state’s top junior talents — the Mountain Grove volleyball team is hoping to replicate last season’s achievements.
This time, though, they’re hoping for a much different ending.
Three days after the Panthers claimed the school’s first district title since 2012, Seneca swept the Panthers out of the state tournament. Mountain Grove finished the year 29-8, with that final loss serving as the team’s primary motivator for 2023.
“Ending the year like we did was brutal,” Mountain Grove coach Ashley Martin said. “It’s ideal to end your season playing at the highest level that your team is capable of. It’s excruciating to go out on a game where you feel as if your kids didn’t embrace the opportunity that was in front of them and rise to the occasion to compete. Our last game was far from our best efforts and I know my kids still remember what that feeling was like, and I’m sure they’re willing to do whatever it takes to not go through that again. That sting will definitely be our constant motivation this next year as we look toward our goals.”
The Panthers have good reason to believe they can achieve those goals, starting with the fact that South Central Association Player of the Year Raylee Stenzel is back for her junior season. She led the Panthers in kills (465), aces (74) and blocks (29) en route to securing a spot on the all-state team.
“She’s your biggest competitor,” Martin said. “She’s the first to cheer for someone else before herself. She authentically builds her teammates up. She accepts her role with confidence, knowing I’m relying on her to be our playmaker. She’s the most coachable kid I’ve ever been around, constantly listening and looking to me for advice. She’s just built different. She’s no doubt D1 material and she has plenty of options at the next level. There’s no question that she’s one of the most talented players in the state.”
The offense will be led by a familiar face, as Jozey McPherson returns for her senior year. The setter is coming off a 796-assist season that ended with all-conference and all-district honors.
“She’s really grown into that setter role and her confidence just keeps growing,” Martin said. “I’m really excited to see her lead her teammates this year. She’s a fierce competitor and someone who can really make an impact on our level of play.”
Senior libero Campbell Welch also earned all-conference and all-district honors after posting a team-best 571 receptions and 365 digs.
“She thrives in that position and craves her defensive responsibilities,” Martin said. “Again, another very coachable kid. She gives us her best every day.”
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The rest of Mountain Grove’s rotation will consist of familiar faces in new places, as the team shuffles its lineup to replace the graduated Reagan Hoerning — an all-state honoree who is continuing her career at Southwest Baptist University.
“We are in the process of filling that role (and) trying to find the best fit,” Martin said. “Someone that can not only be a go-to option offensively but also be able to understand our defense and keep balls off the court, as well as not be a weakness in our serve receive. So our makeup does look a little different with only graduating one senior last year, but I’m anxious to see who steps up in the next few weeks to fill that role for us.”
The Panthers have several players who are eager to rise to the challenge, starting with all-conference selection Kaily Wake. She has seen time at outside hitter this summer — and figures to be a prominent part of the attack this fall.
“She’s extremely athletic and has been doing an excellent job of holding her own on the outside,” Martin said. “I’ve been very pleased to watch her accept that challenge of being an outside hitter this summer. Her vertical is impressive and as she gains confidence, she will be quite the asset on the pin that we need to accomplish our goals for this year.”
Junior right-side MaKenna McGowan was second on the team with 50 aces last fall, but is transitioning into a do-it-all threat as a six-rotation talent.
“At times, she still plays young,” Martin said. “But I’m confident that if I could get her to believe in herself a little more, she will really help us everywhere on the court. That’s just part of the growing process. She’s capable and will see that with experience.”
Juniors Erecka Penner and Landry Golden are versatile players who have moved throughout the Mountain Grove lineup this summer, but primarily play in the middle.
“I think as they both gain confidence, their level of play will increase and help us so much offensively,” Martin said.
The Panthers will begin the regular season with an August 29 visit to Conway.
Mountain Grove’s home opener is set for Sept. 5 against Licking, while a Sept. 12 trip to Liberty will serve as the team’s first South Central Association appearance of the season.
“I’m most excited to see how far we have grown mentally,” Martin said. “My kids are continuing to learn how to respond to adversity and challenges and they’re growing their mental game with every competition. I’d like to see them not dread pressured situations, but instead rise to the challenge of keeping their composure and being mindful of what it takes to come out on top in those trying times. Keeping our composure, being disciplined in our movements and generating the intensity we need to stay consistent during games will be key in our success this year.”
