By Chris Parker
Reeds Spring volleyball is looking to bounce back from a three-win season in 2024.
Head coach Addison Parish thinks this year’s roster is capable of doing just that.
“Our coaching staff is very excited about this group of girls,” Parish said. “They have a lot of heart and grit and are committed to holding themselves, and their teammates, to a high standard. We are looking forward to seeing how that mindset translates to the court this season.”
Brooke Fuller (senior libero) will bring key leadership.
“Brooke has consistently been a versatile and dependable player within our volleyball program,” Parish said. “Her leadership and skillset make her a big contributor to our defense– especially in serve receive. Brooke is also one of our strongest communicators on the team, which allows her to thrive in a leadership position.”
Emma Thompson led the team in blocks with 27 last season. The senior will be an outside/middle.
“Emma is one of our most experienced hitters and brings a big presence at the net,” Parish said. “She is crucial to both our offense and defense, as she is a dominant hitter and strong blocker.”
Johnson moved up to varsity mid-season as a junior and found success playing in 51 sets.
“Allie joined the varsity mid-season last year and offers us a strong block,” Parish said. “Her ability to read hitter and put up a big block helps our back row by forcing hitters to find different shots.”
Kylie Fitzwater is a fourth returning senior who had 63 kills as a junior. She is a middle/right side.
“Kylie is an incredibly versatile athlete and can adapt to different roles based on the team’s needs,” Parish said. “Although she is an undersized middle, her speed and instincts allow her to be extremely effective across the front row.”
Kaelee Howe is the top returning hitter in terms of kills. She put down 71 kills is a sophomore.
“Kaelee joined us mid-season last year and immediately brought energy and quickness to the court,” Parish said. “We’re looking forward to her stepping into a bigger leadership role and continuing to elevate our team.”
Junior setter Stephanie Westerhold was efficient in 46 sets handing out 142 assists.
“Stephanie joined us late last season and quickly made an impression with her enthusiasm and strong work ethic,” Parish said. “She brings a lot of heart to the floor and helps the team’s communication.”
Senior middle/right side Zoeie Hedrick will have an expanded role this season.
“Zoeie saw some time on varsity last season and continues to grow in confidence,” Parish said. “Her ability to run different plays and put up a solid block adds strength to our front row.”
Freshman Adi Blevins will look to have an immediate impact with the ability to play middle, right side or setter.
“Adi has been a standout during the summer,” Parish said. “Her competitive spirit and willingness to step into any role make her a unique asset, especially for a freshman. She brings a high level of energy and focus to the court, and we’re excited to see how she contributes to the team this season.”
Blevins is not the only player with a versatile skillset.
“One of our greatest strengths as a team is the versatility amongst our players,” Parish said. “We have several athletes who are capable of filling multiple roles, allowing our lineup to remain fluid and adaptable depending on the situation. Additionally, our presence at the net has the potential to be a major strength. We have a group of tall, athletic players that are capable of putting up a strong block that will challenge hitters.”
Reeds Spring travels to Willard for a jamboree on Aug. 26 with the host Tigers, Licking and Springfield Catholic. The Lady Wolves open the regular season on Aug. 30 at the Branson Invitational.
“While we always aim to win games, my primary expectation is growth,” Parish said. “It is always our hope that we see growth from our team showing up every day with consistent effort and the discipline to do the little things right. Many of these girls are still relatively new to varsity-level play, so continued development will help us build a strong foundation, not only for this season, but for the future of our program.”
