By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Glendale volleyball struggled a bit in 2024.
Young and largely inexperienced, the Falcons and head coach Iceley Stieb compiled an 11-15-4 record, falling to Lebanon in the Class 5 District 6 tournament.
“Last season was a unique one,” Stieb said. “We had one returning varsity letterman, so everyone on our court was completely new to varsity. We faced challenges and changes, and I am incredibly proud of the growth and resilience we’ve shown as a team. We may not have had the record we hoped for, but every match was an opportunity for learning, and I believe we made huge strides that will serve us well in the future.”
Glendale will be led by a talented group of returning players this season, including senior Klaire Miner, junior Elle Givens, senior Ady Buzbee, senior Lylah Vestal, sophomore Ivy Finn, junior Ava Underwood and senior Ella Shulte.
Stieb on Miner – “Klaire is one of our setters and is the heart of the offense, leading the team with confidence and precision. She has a great connection with her hitters and consistently puts up smart, hittable sets. Her leadership on the court keeps the team focused and competitive in every match. Klaire is very knowledgeable on the court and knows the game of volleyball. Her knowledge will be a huge asset for us this season. Klaire was all-district honorable mention last season.”
Stieb on Givens – “Elle has a strong hitter’s mentality and is ready to make a big impact for our team this year. Her smart decision making at the net, will be a constant threat to opposing teams. Elle is a dominant force on the court, using her size and strength to overpower opponents at the net. Her powerful swings and strong presence make her a go-to player in crucial moments. With her ability to control the offense and play tough defense, she’s a key leader and impact player for our team this season. We’re counting on her to lead us in kills and set the tone with her aggressive, confident play. Elle will be playing all the way around this season as she will contribute to every aspect of the game. Elle was all-district honorable mention last season.”
Stieb on Buzbee – “Ady will be stepping into the libero role this season and is already proving to be a dominant passer for our team. Her consistency and control in the back row are key to running our effective offense. Ady is a scrappy back row player known for her tenacity and hustle. With quick reactions, strong fundamentals and great court awareness, she consistently keeps the ball in play and helps control the pace of the game. Her steady presence in the back row is a crucial part of our team’s defense and transition to offense.”
Stieb on Vestal – “As a senior, Lylah is a versatile and reliable hitter who knows how to put the ball down when we need it. She works hard every time she steps on the court, contributing with strong swings, solid blocks, and a big presence at the net. Lylah brings experience to the court and will continue to grow in her role this season.”
Stieb on Finn – “Ivy moved to middle hitter for us this season. Her valuable varsity experience from last season is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with. Her impressive quickness and timing at the net make her a tough blocker and attacker, ready to make a major impact on both offense and defense this year. Ivy has strong court awareness that makes her difficult to defend, and we expect her to help the team with kills this season.”
Stieb on Underwood – “Ava brings solid defense and reliable passing to the team. Her quick reactions and strong fundamentals make her a key player in keeping the ball in play and supporting our offense. Ava consistently keeps the ball in play and helps control the pace of the game. Ava does a great job providing a solid pass for us to run a solid offense.”
Stieb on Shulte – “Ella consistently delivers kills or a block when we need it. Her height and skill make her a strong presence at the net, and she steps up in key moments to help drive our attack. We can count on her to bring power and consistency to the court every game.”
Stieb also expects a host of varsity newcomers to step in and compete for playing time this season, including senior Aubree Bohannon, senior Mackenzie St. Clair, freshman Airah Petr, senior MaKenna Bilyeu, junior Kensie Miner, sophomore Vaeda Dowell and sophomore Cheyenne Cheadle.
Stieb on Bohannon – “Aubree is stepping into a huge role this season, ready to lead the offense with confidence and skill. She demonstrates excellent court awareness and quick decision making, consistently delivering accurate sets that keep our hitters in rhythm. Her strong leadership and communication help keep the team organized and focused, making her a vital playmaker and driving force behind our offense.”
Stieb on St. Clair – “Mackenzie is a right-side hitter who makes a big impact on both offense and defense. She’s a reliable player who consistently delivers strong attacks and plays tough, smart defense. Her steady presence and work ethic make her a key contributor and leader on the court every game.”
Stieb on Petr – “Airah has a strong presence at the net. She combines power with smart play, delivering well-timed kills that keep opponents on their toes. Airah moves quickly and reads the opposing blockers well, allowing her to find openings and make effective plays. Her ability to read the game and make quick decisions shows great potential as she steps into a bigger role this season.”
Stieb on Bilyeu – “MaKenna is a strong hitter and a dependable player who steps up when the team needs her. With her powerful attacks and smart shot selection, she consistently earns crucial kills that help swing momentum in our favor.”
Stieb on Miner – “Kensie is incredibly fast and uses her quickness to control the game from the back row. Her speed allows her to get to tough balls, and her strong, accurate passes set up our offense effectively. Her speed and agility allow her to reach challenging balls that others might miss, while her strong, accurate passes consistently set up our offense for success.”
Stieb on Dowell – “Vaeda is a small outside hitter for us, but she makes up for it with an impressive vertical leap that allows her to reach above the block and deliver the kills we need. Her quickness and determination make her a tough competitor, proving that heart and skill can overcome size every time.”
Stieb on Cheadle – “Cheyenne is a versatile asset on the front row, able to contribute both offensively and defensively. Her height gives her an advantage at the net, allowing her to challenge opponents with strong blocks and powerful hits. Cheyenne has a lot of adaptability and her skills continue to improve.”
With a solid mixture of talent, experience and youth on the roster, Stieb believes her team’s work ethic will make a difference this year, as Glendale looks to improve upon last year’s campaign.
“Our team’s biggest strength heading into the season is our dedication and determination to improve every day,” Stieb said. “The players come in focused, eager to learn, and ready to put in the effort it takes to grow. Their work ethic and intensity on the court show just how committed they are to getting better, not just individually, but as a team. That drive and focus will be key to our success this season.”
The Falcons will turn to Miner and Bohannon to run the offense, control tempo and quickly set up hitters at the net with scoring opportunities.
“This season, you can expect to see a well-rounded rotation built on experience and powerful hitters across the board,” Stieb said. “Our lineup features players who bring both offensive skill and solid court awareness, allowing us to maintain strong control of the game. With seasoned athletes in key positions and reliable depth throughout the rotation, we’re confident in our ability to compete at a high level and adapt to any challenge we face.”
Stieb will also put a priority on fostering team chemistry and work to develop a team-first culture within her program.
“This season, we’re focused on building a new culture centered around being a competitive program that is hungry to improve every day,” Stieb said. “Our team is committed to hard work, accountability, and supporting one another both on and off the court. More than just teammates, we are a family. We are focusing on lifting each other up, staying united through challenges, and celebrating every success together. With this mindset, we’re confident that our program will continue to rise and make a strong impact in the season ahead.”
Following an Aug. 26 jamboree at West Plains, Glendale opens its season Sep. 2 at Hillcrest.
