By Chris Parker
Emily Hutcheson took over as head coach of the Willard volleyball program last season, and the Lady Tigers went from five wins two years ago to 12 last year.
“Last season was a great step forward for our program. Doubling our wins and re-establishing our identity was the result of a lot of hard work, buy-in, and belief from our athletes. The next step is to continue building consistency competing at a high-level night in and night out, and being a team that no one takes lightly,” Hutcheson said. “We talk all the time about remembering the process and trusting the process. That’s what builds lasting success not just one good season, but a culture that sustains it. We want to play Willard Volleyball. That means discipline, energy, and pride. We want to Play like a Tiger. That means courage, toughness, and heart. And most of all, we want to be relentless in our preparation, in our play, and in our pursuit of excellence.”
Willard returns a pair of first-team all-conference selections in Abby Morris and Taylor Roweton.
“Having Taylor and Abby on the floor gives us tremendous flexibility,” Hutcheson said. “They make us extremely dynamic and allow us to run different offensive looks. Both of them are team-first players who are willing to adjust positions when needed to give us the best chance to succeed. Their unselfishness and skill set open up so many options for our offense.”
Morris was second on the team in kills (194) and total blocks (44) while leading the team in assists with 424.
“Abby has a high volleyball IQ and processes the game quickly,” Hutcheson said. “She has great setting location, consistency, and decision-making under pressure. She’s a vocal leader, ultra-competitive, and is always striving to improve. Her ability to impact the game from multiple roles is a huge asset to our team.”
Roweton paced the team in kills with 269 last season.
“Taylor is someone you can always count on,” Hutcheson said. “She’s incredibly consistent, always gives her best effort, and is a steady, positive presence on the court. She has a high volleyball IQ and brings out the best in her teammates. Her leadership through her work ethic and reliability is something we really value.”
The senior duo will be key leaders this season.
“As our most experienced varsity players, they each lead in their own unique way,” Hutcheson said. “I’m looking for them to set the tone not just with their play, but with their presence, their preparation, and their passion for the game. I want to see them enjoy their final season as Tigers, and help leave behind a legacy of what Willard Volleyball is all about—relentless effort, team-first mentality, and playing with pride.”
Fellow senior Ashlyn Hurd earned second-team all-conference honors finishing second on the team in assists with 377 and leading the team in aces with 58.
“Ashlyn plays a key role in our offensive system. With her stepping into the setting role again this year, she helps us stay dynamic and unpredictable. Having a second season with this group will only strengthen her connections with our hitters and improve our offensive flow,” Hutcheson said. “She also brings a huge weapon from the service line, as she was our ace leader last season with a tough, aggressive serve that puts opponents on their heels. Beyond the stats, Ashlyn is a steady presence and a strong leader on the court. I’m excited to see how she continues to elevate her game and help drive our team forward this season.”
Kallee Sutphen (junior), Kylin Vandever (senior), Raegan Brannock (junior) and Nora Taylor (junior) all return from last season’s varsity team seeing action in at least 79 of the 95 sets last season.
Hutcheson on Sutphen: “Kallee brings a strong physical presence to our team. Her power, strength, and versatility give us options in both the front and back row. She plays with great flow and energy, and she’s the kind of athlete who can make momentum-changing plays.”
Hutcheson on Vandever: “Kylin is a steady defensive presence and has continued to grow her skill set. I expect her to build on her foundation this season and become an even more reliable force in the back row. She reads the game well and plays with confidence.”
Hutcheson on Brannock: “Raegan is a dynamic player who adds speed and athleticism to our net play. She moves extremely well along the net and is capable of making quick, effective plays that keep opponents off balance.”
Hutcheson on Taylor: “Nora brings consistency and composure to our offense. She understands her role, makes smart decisions with the ball, and helps create stability in our attack. Her reliability is going to be a big part of our success this season.”
Ava Simpson and Addy Cross will be a pair of newcomers to the varsity lineup.
Hutcheson on Simpson: “Ava is a strong addition to our defensive unit. She’s consistent, reads the game well, and pursues the ball with purpose. Her tempo and ball control bring stability to our serve-receive and back row play. She plays with poise and has quickly earned trust on the court.”
Hutcheson on Cross: “Addy will bring added strength to both our offense and blocking game. She’s agile and strong across the net, and her presence adds depth to our front row. Her ability to close blocks and generate smart plays will be a big asset for us as the season progresses.”
With many players returning from last season, there is already good chemistry in the lineup.
“Our biggest strength this season is the belief and trust these players have in one another,” Hutcheson said. “They know the talent and skill are there—it’s about stepping onto the court with confidence and letting that competitive spirit shine. When this team plays with energy, they’re fun to watch. That chemistry and trust create a foundation for us to do great things together.”
Hutcheson is looking for more consistency out of the team from point-to-point.
“Consistency is a key area of focus for us,” Hutcheson said. “We’re working every day to start strong and maintain that level of play from the first point to the last. Sustaining intensity, focus, and execution throughout an entire match will be crucial to reaching the level of success we’re aiming for this season.”
Willard hosts a jamboree on Aug. 26 with Licking, Reeds Spring and Springfield Catholic. The Tigers open the regular season on Sept. 2 at Marshfield.
“Our expectation this season is to play with confidence and a fierce competitive spirit,” Hutcheson said. “We want to continue trusting the process and building on the foundation we’ve established. This group knows what it takes to compete, and now it’s about stepping up, embracing the moment, and showing what Willard Volleyball is all about—relentless effort, trust in one another, and pride in how we play.
