By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Nixa volleyball and longtime head coach Annie Zimmerman enjoyed yet another successful campaign in 2024.
The Eagles posted a 32-4 record – the third time in the past six seasons with at least 30 wins – before falling to eventual Class 5 runner-up Ozark in the District 6 championship.
“We played a tough schedule so finishing with an overall record of 32-4 was a great
accomplishment for this team,” Zimmerman said. “The loss to Ozark in the district championship was obviously disappointing, but I believe that experience will give our returning players a renewed sense of purpose.”
Heading into her 12th season at the helm, Zimmerman will look to find replacements for a talented class of graduates including all-state honorees Chloe Judd and Amelia White.
“Chloe provided such a physical presence at the net both offensively and defensively,” Zimmerman said. “She had a high volleyball IQ and was a great mentor to the other middle blockers in our program.
“Amelia played the game with no fear. She was never afraid to take a big swing in a big moment. She had wonderful ball control and scored a ton of points by serving aggressively.”
A quartet of talented seniors return to lead Nixa this season in Gwen Kubik, Taylor Wood, Addy Bybee and Addie O’Connell.
Kubik, an all-conference and all-district outside hitter, converted 360 kills in 919 attempts last season. She has committed to play at Drury University next season.
“Gwen is strong and plays the game with a lot of power,” Zimmerman said. “She is well rounded and could compete to play six rotations this season.”
Wood, a setter and right side, also received all-conference and all-district honors last season. She recorded a 92.5% serving percentage as a junior.
“Taylor can play multiple positions at a high level,” Zimmerman said. “She has fantastic court awareness and can put pressure on opposing passers with her serve. Her ability to block effectively on the right side creates stability within our defense.”
Bybee, an outside hitter, was named to the all-district squad last season.
“Addy played middle for us last season, but will likely move to the outside hitter position this year,” Zimmerman said. “She is super athletic, hits with power, has great ball control and is relentless on defense.”
O’Connell returns as a defensive specialist.
“Addie is a fantastic leader on and off the court and I love the spark of positive energy she provides to our team when she plays,” Zimmerman said.
Junior Mara Coulter, junior Alivia Wood and sophomore Peyton Creed also return for the Eagles.
Coulter, an all-conference and all-district libero, recorded a team-leading 626 digs last season.
“Mara is our returning libero from last season,” Zimmerman said. “Her high-level experience at a young age should create a lot of stability for our back court this season. She reads the game
extremely well and plays with control & confidence.”
Wood, a right side, will look to fill a bigger role for the Eagles this season.
“Alivia played right side for us as a sophomore and gained valuable varsity experience,” Zimmerman said. “I look forward to her making an impact on both sides of the ball this season.”
Creed, a setter, led Nixa in 2024 with 583 assists.
“Peyton enters her sophomore season with a full year of varsity experience under her belt,” Zimmerman said. “Her consistency and maturity are impressive for her age, and I expect her to be an important part of our offense again this season.”
Zimmerman also expects a trio of varsity newcomers to step in and compete for playing time in junior Mya McCubbin, junior Kimberlyn McCowan and Makinley Burbridge.
“With seven returning players from last year’s 32-4 squad, expectations are high for this season,” Zimmerman said. “Building on last year’s success, the focus will likely be on refining team chemistry, maintaining a high level of play, and making a deep postseason run.”
Nixa will look to both Wood and Creed to quarterback its attack this season, at least to start the season, according to Zimmerman.
“At this point we have two primary setters, senior Taylor Wood and sophomore Peyton Creed,” Zimmerman said. “Both were setters in our 6-2 offense last season. I could see us transitioning to a 5-1 to create a little more consistency for our hitters, but time will tell what works best for our team this year.”
While roles may be in flux early on, Zimmerman hopes to have her squad firing on all cylinders by the time mid-season rolls around.
“We will be trying lots of different options early and hope to be settled into an established rotation by mid-season,” Zimmerman said. “Our goal will be to run the most balanced offense possible…multiple hitters on the front row that can score so opponents cannot key on just one or two players.”
Following an Aug. 26 jamboree at home, Nixa opens its regular season Aug. 29 at home against Fayetteville.
