By Chris Parker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Joplin will rely on a host of young players this season coming off a seven-win campaign in 2024.
“We are on the young side,” Joplin head coach Emily Killion said. “We have a lot of new faces who are going to make an impact and are finding their footing right now at the varsity pace. Our expectation is that we fight for each point. We get 1% better every day. Our expectation this season is that we don’t get comfortable with losing, let that fuel us into our next practice, our next game and come back stronger and with a burning desire to win and compete.”
Lydia Barwick and Aubrey Strickland are the two returning seniors.
Barwick is a defensive specialist/libero who had 138 digs, 172 serve receptions and 43 aces last season.
“She (Barwick) is a seasoned player with a high volleyball IQ,” Killion said. “She is also our toughest server and gets teams out of system often.”
Strickland is a middle hitter who brings back 95 kills and 11 blocks.
“Aubrey was a starting middle last year and missed a good chunk of the season due to an injury,” Killion said. “She is back and ready to make a big impact on the front row for us. She will provide a big block and be one of our go-to hitters. She is a leader on and off the court for our program.”
Anistyn Murdock and Brealynn Strickland return for their junior seasons.
Murdock led Joplin in kills with 126 last season.
“Ani is returning to varsity after her first year as a varsity starter last year, but you are going to see her in a different position,” Killion said. “She was our outside hitter last year, this year she is going to be making a big impact on the right side for us. She is our energy.”
Brealynn Strickland will see an expanded role this season after playing in 47 of 93 sets last season.
“This girl (Brealynn Strickland) is a utility for us,” Killion said. “She can hit and pass. She goes wherever she is needed and does her job well. She will be our primary outside opposite of Leighton Pena. She is a calm energy but will score points for us this season.”
Payton Cunningham (sophomore MH), Leighton Pena (sophomore OH), Lola McClure (sophomore DS/libero), Vivian Longnecker (junior setter/RS), and Lillianna Pryor (sophomore setter) will be newcomers to watch.
Killion on Cunningham: “Payton saw a little bit of varsity time at the end of last season. She is stepping into a huge role for varsity this upcoming season. She will be our go to hitter along with Aubrey Strickland. She is crushing the ball on the front row, so watch out. She will bring an intense presence.”
Killion on Pena: “Another one along with Payton who caught some varsity time at the end of last season. Both of them started in our district game and did well. They really took on the challenge and pressure of a situation like that as a freshmen. Leighton will be our starting outside. She is smart and coachable. She is quick to the ball and can pass if needed.”
Killion on McClure: “A returning JV player from last season. She plays a lot of club and has gained a lot of experience since last year. She is making a jump to the varsity court and vying for a libero spot. She brings a calm energy to the court while playing in the chaos at times.”
Killion on Longnecker: “She is returning from playing JV last year. She has big shoes to fill after graduating our ace setter, Adalynn Noirfalise. She is quick on her feet but can also swing the front row if we need her to. She is going to be versatile for us.”
Killion on Pryor: “Another big shoe to fill for setters. Lillianna played for the freshman and JV team last year. She is a go-getter and wants to get better each day. She has a good IQ and is very sneaky with her play.”
Defense will need to set up some offense this season.
“We are very defense heavy this season. Our diggers and passers are what will keep us in a lot of rallies, and they have been working their butts off this summer. Honestly, a lot of them are competing for spots right now, which is a good problem for us to have,” Killion said. “We have got to have more people step up and put the ball away for us. We can’t depend on only a couple of people. More people who will score us points more consistently. A recurring conversation we have with our program is communication, talking in/out, spots for hitters, etc.”
Joplin travels to Carthage for a jamboree on Aug. 26 before opening the regular season on Sept. 2 at home against Nevada.
“We have a lot to prove and we are working towards making sure we make Joplin a well-known name in the volleyball world and leave a legacy for those to come,” Killion said. “We are young, but that won’t hold us back. We have a competitive bunch that are ready to work.”
