By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Ozark volleyball found itself in an all-too-familiar spot at the end of the 2024 season.
The Class 5 final four.
The Tigers and head coach Adeana Chrestman capped a record-setting, 38-4 season with a runner-up finish.
“What truly defined our season was the way our team fully bought into our mission—playing in honor of a teammate, staying committed and embracing the standard we set for Ozark Volleyball,” Chrestman said. “Our goal was to make the final four in 2024, and we felt like we were able to consistently compete like a final four team throughout the season.”
Entering her 13th season at the helm, Chrestman’s first task will be finding replacements for a talented class of graduates that included all-state honorees Reece Cook and Skylar Hilton.
Fortunately for Ozark, a third all-state honoree remains on the roster in senior Tara Venable.
Venable, a 5-foot-11 outside hitter, led the team with 523 kills and a .336 attacking percentage as a junior. She also received All-American honors from the American Volleyball Coaches Association and is committed to Missouri State University’s beach volleyball program.
“Tara is a six-rotation player meaning that she does not come off the court,” Chrestman said. “That means she has to be good at attacking, blocking, defense, serving and passing. It is rare to have a six-rotation player that plays at such a high level in each rotation that Tara does. She hits hard and high and has a variety of shots in her toolbox as well. Playing and training in the sand during beach volleyball season has also helped propel her indoor game to new heights. She is a force to be reckoned with and is so fun to watch.”
Venable will be joined by returning classmates Alexis Andela, Bradie Soloman, Brooklyn Soloman and Adilynn Rohrer.
Andela, a 5-foot-4 libero, was an all-conference and all-district selection last season.
“Alexis has been a part of our floor defense and serve receive line since she has been a freshman,” Chrestman said. “Alexis has a high-level volleyball IQ and great ball control. She is able to anticipate what the opponent is going to do, and this helps her make great plays. Her varsity experience will help provide leadership on our team.”
At 5-foot-4, Bradie Soloman will once again patrol Ozark’s back line as a defensive specialist.
“Bradie found herself playing a significant role as a defensive specialist last season,” Chrestman said. “She is respected by her teammates and will serve in a leadership role her senior season. Bradie is great at taking charge and making adjustments on the floor when needed.”
5-foot-5 Brooklyn Soloman also returns as a Tigers defensive specialist.
“Brooklyn played a serving specialist role on varsity last season and was able to help our team score big points by applying pressure with her aggressive serve and her relentless defense,” Chrestman said. “A position as a 3-rotation defensive specialist could be in the cards for Brooklyn.”
Rohrer, a 6-foot-1 right side, could move to a middle role this season, according to Chrestman.
“Adilynn played a significant role as a right side blocker and attacker last season,” Chrestman said. “She provided a huge blocking presence on the right side and really challenged our opponents’ primary attackers. She could potentially move to the middle position this upcoming season with two middles graduating.”
Senior outside hitter Aubrey Browning suffered an injury over the summer and will miss the entire season. She received all-conference and all-district honors as a junior.
“We will continue to look for Aubrey to provide leadership from the sideline this upcoming season and we are devastated that she will not be able to be out on the court for what would have been her best year yet,” Chrestman said. “Aubrey was a huge reason Ozark Volleyball was successful in the postseason last season.”
In addition to her returning seniors, Chrestman expects several varsity newcomers to compete for playing time this season.
“Seniors Kaitlyn Fleury (middle/right side) and Sophia Bouchard (setter) are two possible additions to the varsity squad, but we also anticipate contributions from juniors, sophomores and even a freshman as the season unfolds,” Chrestman said. “Preseason will be a crucial time for evaluating how the pieces come together.”
Despite the graduation losses, Chrestman remains optimistic with plenty of talent, experience and depth on the roster.
“Our biggest strength heading into the season is the experience and leadership of our key returning players who played a major role in last year’s success. Adding to that, we’re excited to bring in new players who have proven themselves at the sub-varsity level. One of the unique advantages of our program is that all players—freshmen through varsity—often train and practice together, which means high expectations are consistent across the board. Because of this, we won’t need to make major jumps in competitiveness or standards; those expectations have always been in place, no matter what level our athletes have played.”
After a district title and final four trip last season, Ozark’s expectations for the program remain the same.
“Every year, our expectations for Ozark volleyball are high, and the 2025 season is no different,” Chrestman said. “Our goal remains the same—to contend for a district championship and make a strong push into the postseason. We’re excited to return some key contributors from last year’s lineup, but we also recognize the challenge of filling the big shoes left by our graduating seniors. This season will demand hard work, leadership, and a total team effort, and we’re ready to rise to the occasion.”
Following an Aug. 26 jamboree at Nixa, Ozark opens its regular season Aug. 28 at Jefferson City.
