By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Strafford volleyball enjoyed another successful campaign in 2024.
The Indians posted a 30-6-1 record, falling to eventual Class 3 runner-up Logan-Rogersville in the District 10 championship.
“The team worked hard throughout the entire season, focusing on improvement each day, and was a highly competitive team, winning two out of three tournaments and accumulating over 30 wins,” longtime head coach Ashley Bough said. “We learned a lot about ourselves, including what we can bring to the team and what we need to do to improve for the upcoming season.”
Heading into her 11th season, Bough will look to a talented quartet of returnees to lead the program in senior Reese Darnell along with sophomores Ava Lane, Blair Bough and Trista Vanhorn.
“Our returning setters, Reese Darnell and Ava Lane, have a lot of experience running an effective offense at a high level as well as being dependable attackers on the front row,” Coach Bough said. “Blair Bough and Trista Vanhorn are aggressive and efficient from their respective front row positions, as well as a strong block for our defense. These returners have a strong court presence and will bring consistency and experience back to the court.”
Strafford will also look to several varsity newcomers to step into prominent roles this season, including junior Brooklynne Lumley, senior Payten Coulter, junior Lydia Goodin, sophomore Ainsley Blackbun and sophomore Reese Coulter.
“Although this will be the newcomers ‘first year’ on varsity, the strong tradition of the Strafford volleyball program will help these players step into big roles this season,” Couch Bough said. “We return several impact players and new players with a lot of volleyball experience this season, which is exciting. We are working to make our team more efficient and diverse. We have several players who are talented in multiple skills of the game.”
Coach Bough expects her experienced and athletic Strafford squad to put pressure on opposing teams with ball control, aggressive play and good decisions.
“We had a pretty diverse offense last season,” Coach Bough said. “Our returning setters both bring athleticism and experience to our court. Our goal will be to continue running a simple, effective, and aggressive offensive system. We have the components and ball control to make that happen, even out of system, by trusting our front row attackers to be as aggressive as possible and make smart plays they have in their toolbox. Giving the other team as many things to think about at once from our offense is one of our strengths.”
On defense, Coach Bough believes her team’s speed and cohesion will play big dividends this season and help the Indians minimize opponents’ scoring opportunities.
“This group of kids has a high level of ball control and quickness,” Coach Bough said. “Our back court defensive chemistry is really strong, and they bring both talent and trust to our team. We will continue to work on becoming more unified as a defensive team. We want to be the team that outworks each team and doesn’t let balls drop on our side of the court unless it is earned.”
With eight district titles and four appearances in the final four in the past decade, Strafford’s tradition is well documented. Bough expects her players, who grew up watching those storied teams, to be ready to capitalize on the moment and chart their own successful course.
“This group of players is determined to leave a legacy similar to those that have come before them, so they are excited to get started and improve throughout the season,” Coach Bough said. “We will focus on the process and stay focused on what we can bring to the court each day.”
Following an Aug. 26 jamboree at Central, Strafford opens up its season Aug. 30 in the Branson Tournament.
