By Chris Parker
Bolivar volleyball will have new players stepping into new roles after graduating eight seniors from last season’s 11-19-1 squad. Those eight seniors accounted for the team lead in kills, aces, digs, assists and serve receptions. Seniors were the top two in digs and top three in assists.
Aby Kaufmann is the one of two returning all-conference players. The senior middle was second on the team in kills with 172 and the team leader in total blocks with 70.
“With a heavy arm and a great defensive presence at the net, we are excited to see her (Kaufmann) grow and be a leader for our team and the future of our program,” Bolivar head coach Kyle Smith said.
Fellow senior Heidi Roweton also earned honorable mention all-conference honors last season. She had 96 kills, 38 aces, 274 digs and 411 serve receptions. She will move back to libero this season.
“Having played as a six-rotation outside hitter the last two years, Heidi is moving back to where she started as a freshman when she was the starting libero,” Smith said. “This four-year six-rotation varsity starter is the glue that brings everyone together and has an infectious positivity that keeps us in the fight. She had 382 digs her freshman year and now has a career total of 944 and will guide our defense and serve receive. Heidi is also a threat at the service line where she has 139 career aces and has gotten more and more consistent over the years.”
Aubrey Cowden moves from a defensive role to setter, as the Liberators don’t return any player who had more than 11 assists last season.
“Aubrey’s mind for the flow of the game allows her to find great options offensively, while always laying it all out on the defensive end,” Smith said.
Junior right side Sophia Garber enters her third season on varsity and second as a starter.
“She will see opportunities to set and hit and will continue to be expected as an effective right side blocker,” Smith said. “Her hard work and growth as a leader have inspired many kids throughout our program.”
Sophomore middle Skyla Moore was the only freshman to start and play varsity for Bolivar last season.
“Skyla had a great freshman year starting at middle and growing into the role as the season went on,” Smith said. “We are excited to see her growth and expand her offensive opportunities. Skyla has gotten more consistent from the serving line where she had 17 aces as a freshman.”
Junior outside Kenadee Baker will see an expanded varsity role this season.
“Kenadee will be moving into her third year on varsity but her first year where she will be expected to compete on a nightly basis and be effective both defensively and offensively,” Smith said. “She has been training so hard for this moment and has begun to show a lot of potential throughout the off season.”
Juniors Abby Clark and Avery Hofstetter will be newcomers to varsity.
“Abby has been a setter her first two years in our program and has a great ability to read defensively and is working hard to improve her skills and contribute at the varsity level,” Smith said. “Avery has been a defensive specialist and libero in her first two years in the program and continues to grow into her role and gain confidence and skill.”
Smith wants his team to be strong from the service line and scrappy on defense.
“We are working on aggressive serving and a scrappy defense that never gives up,” Smith said. “Our program is excited for the growth of our youth and middle school programs, and how it is beginning to impact our high school programs. The girls have worked very hard this off-season, and we are looking forward to the fruits of that labor this fall.”
Bolivar travels to Hillcrest for a jamboree on Aug. 26 with the host Hornets, Buffalo and Osage. The Liberators open the regular season on Aug. 30 at the Branson Invitational.
