By Chris Parker
East Newton volleyball went 17-16 last season to post the program’s first above .500 finish since 2016.
It was a season years in the making.
“I think it takes some time to build culture and get the right pieces in place,” East Newton head coach Ashley Brown said. “There are a lot of girls before this group that improved our gym every year since I’ve been here and last year’s group bought into the process and filled some gaps that we’d been missing.”
Brown wants to see the steady improvement continue this season.
“I’d like to see us continue to trust the process,” Brown said. “We have a young group still and yet we now have a little experience on our side. Good things come to the tortoise.”
A pair of all-conference players in Kadie Sesay and Sylvia Larson return this season.
Sesay led the Patriots with 256 kills while finishing second in both digs (306) and serve receptions (437).
“(Sesay) has played almost every role for us in her high school career and the thing that stands out is the attitude she brings to the court and the energy that creates,” Brown said. “I’m going to encourage her to enjoy the ride and leave it all out there. She loves the game, and I want her to let that show.”
Larsen earned honorable mention all-conference honors as a freshman leading East Newton in both digs (418) and serve receptions (470).
“Honestly, trusting her stuff and playing freely (allowed her to be successful). She is naturally gifted but hasn’t played volleyball for very many years. She also brings that attitude of scrappiness that the best liberos possess,” Brown said. “Her volleyball IQ is growing by the day. She is asking questions and learning about the game in new ways that will only help her.”
All-district setter/middle/RS Kolby Rinehart returns after earning all-district honors as a freshman. She led East Newton with 446 assists.
Camryn Cornett (senior setter/middle), Maggie Marion (sophomore OH) and Helen Mawi (senior DS) also return.
Sophomores Lexi Brown (OH/RS), Renee Musser (M/RS) and Adi Harrington (RS/S) will be newcomers to watch.
“We will have a little depth this year that we haven’t always had,” Brown said. “Our youth can be seen as a strength or a weakness, but I look at it as opportunity and fun times ahead.”
East Newton travels to Pierce City for a jamboree on Aug. 26 with the host Eagles, Pleasant Hope and Ash Grove. The Patriots open the regular season on Aug. 28 at home against New Heights Christian.
