By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
After three straight losing seasons, Bolivar softball flipped the script in a big way last fall.
In Alicia Wollard’s first year as head coach, the Liberators more than doubled their win total from the year before — and brought home their first district title since 2020.
“It was an outstanding accomplishment, but it opened our eyes to what we are capable of,” Wollard said. “Now it is about us staying hungry and not getting comfortable.”
But the championship was only part of the story.
Behind the scenes was a culture shift, as Wollard and her coaching staff instilled a simple three-word slogan that became the team’s rallying cry – We Over Me.
Players were quick to buy in.
After winning just 19 combined games in their final two years in the Ozark Conference, they won 23 in their first season in the new Ozark Mountain Conference.
“I think that the girls and coaches bought into the program and how we wanted the team philosophy to look,” Wollard said. “We wanted the girls to recognize the need for each other over what they felt they deserved. The coaching staff came together and utilized our strengths to help improve the team.”
With all but two starters returning, the Liberators can be even more dangerous this fall.
“I think that we can’t get complacent with winning districts,” Wollard said. “Just working hard is not going to be enough, so we raised the bar this year to not just be complacent but work harder.”
Bolivar returns five players who earned postseason honors last fall – seniors Makayla Methvin, Carly Cribbs and Aubrey Funk and juniors Josie Maze and Brooklyn Hamilton.
Cribbs, a shortstop, and Maze, an outfielder, were named to both the all-district and all-conference teams.
Wollard on Cribbs: “She is a stud who makes hard plays and is versatile in the box. She is a tough kid who is hard to get out.”
Wollard on Maze: “She is the captain in the outfield and a terror on the base pads. She is a hitter that we rely on to make things happen.”
Aubrey Funk, a first baseman, and Brooklyn Hamilton, a catcher, were all-district honorees.
Wollard on Funk: “She is a constant for us who makes plays look easy. She is smart and a great leader. Her bat will help us tremendously.”
Wollard on Hamilton: “She is a beast behind the plate, so we expect her to own that position and help take control over our pitchers. She has a good arm and softball IQ, which makes her a threat.”
Methvin, a pitcher, was an all-conference pick.
“Glue that keeps the team together,” Wollard said. “She is someone who has the best work ethic and strives to be the best. She will help us in the circle and bring her bat will help us as well.”
Junior outfielder Novalee Hendricks and sophomore pitcher/outfielder Cydny Wolhoy are also expected to be key contributors this fall.
Wollard on Hendricks: “She is someone who has continually improved and has found her own.”
Wollard on Wolhoy: “Last year she was our DH and brought a lot of power hits from the left side. She is maturing in the circle and will help pitching.”
Bolivar, Cassville and Aurora will all travel to Branson for an August 26 jamboree. The Liberators will begin the regular season at the 31st Annual Morrisville Tournament on August 29.
“I want us to be better by the end that we were at the start of the season,” Wollard said. “I want them to grow as a team and learn the unique capability of a team who fights together.”
