By Chris Parker
Blue Eye volleyball is coming off an 11-win season with a deep roster set to compete for time on the court.
“We have a lot of talent in the gym this year, and while that’s certainly a strength, what stands out even more is the chemistry the girls have built over the summer,” Blue Eye head coach Alexis Reagan said. “This group makes it exciting to be in the gym every day. They show up ready to work, support each other, and are incredibly coachable. They’re driven to improve, not just individually, but as a team. I believe that combination of talent, chemistry, and work ethic will help them find ways to win tight matches.”
Chloe Kilgore is the team’s only senior who will miss the start of the season due to an injury. She had 125 kills last season
“Chloe did great things for us last year and we will miss her greatly on the floor for the first part of the season,” Reagan said. “While she is unable to participate in practices, Chloe has been a great leader for the ladies during our summer activities. She has been a positive and encouraging voice as well as helping with practice as much as she is able to. We know that until she is able to return, she will continue to be a great leader for us from the sidelines.”
Coral Fultz is a sophomore outside hitter who led Blue Eye with 45 aces last season.
“Coral is a very passionate player who is eager to get better and desires to be the best,” Reagan said. “Each day Coral comes into practice ready to work hard. She has put in time in the offseason to work on her game and I think that really started to show this summer. Her putting in the extra reps has really allowed her game to go to the next level and it has been fun to see her this summer.”
Annistin Craig it a sophomore outside hitter/right side. She had 219 digs and 255 serve receptions last season.
“Annistin is another returner from last season who has grown over the summer,” Reagan said. “Annistin brings a great energy to the team. Annistin is a great teammate and is a constant voice of encouragement. She is very coachable and is not afraid to ask questions so that she can become better. This summer Annistin has stepped into a variety of roles for us and has been more than willing to do so. I believe that stepping into these roles has really grown her game since last season. She continues to grow and improve each day, and she will be a great asset for us this upcoming season.”
Molly Morgan is the top returning setter in her sophomore season after the two leaders in assists graduated last season. She had 110 assists.
“She stepped up as a freshman last year and did some really great things for us,” Reagan said. “She has worked very hard this summer and has really sharpened her skills and volleyball IQ. As the oldest setter on the court, I have really high expectations for her to lead and control the floor. I have no doubt she will do just that. She is an extremely hard worker and keeps a positive attitude. She is a great teammate, and I think that is an important quality as a setter and leader for the team.”
Sophomore Sophie Kilgore rounds out the returning players as a middle hitter and right side. She is the leading returning player in kills with 128 last season.
“Sophie is another returner who did some great things for us as a freshman last season,” Reagan said. “She played right side for us last season and did a great job. This year will look a little different for her, and I am very proud of the growth that she has had while in the gym. I will be expecting more from her this season offensively and believe that she is going to continue to grow into a great player. Sophie is a great teammate and is extremely coachable.”
Harper Bell (freshman OH), Meleah Mitchell (junior DS/L/S), Mekinlee Spinning (freshman setter), Alyssa Dickelman (freshman MH), Emmie Lewallen (freshman OH), Kyler Hartsell (freshman RS) and Sydney Swihart-Wolfe (junior OH) are all newcomers to watch.
Reagan on Bell: “Harper is an incoming freshman that brings not only a lot of talent, but a great energy and high volleyball IQ. Harper loves the game and is eager to get better and truly wants to be the best that she can be. She has played a lot of high-level volleyball and I believe that will help her transition from junior high to high school volleyball. Harper is a natural leader who is a great teammate, selfless and willing to do what is needed for the team to win. I am excited to see her continue to develop her game over the next four years.”
Reagan on Mitchell: “Meleah is one of our only upperclassmen this year. Meleah’s role will look a little bit different this season, but she has made some really great improvements and growth over the summer. Meleah has really taken the feedback provided to her and worked in the offseason to improve in these areas. You can tell the work that she has put in and seeing her being coachable over the summer has been really fun. It has really taken her game to the next level.”
Reagan on Spinning: “Mekinlee is an incoming freshman that had a great summer. Mekinlee is one of our few setters on the team. Transitioning from junior high volleyball to high school can be a bit of an adjustment since the game is so different, but Mekinlee worked hard and was coachable all summer which allowed her to grow, and she adjusted to the pace of the game well. Mekinlee is a very hard worker and has improved so much since her junior high season has ended. I am very excited to see her continue to grow and help the team.”
Reagan on Dickelman: “Alyssa is an incoming freshman who took on a new role than what she played in junior high season. I have coached Alyssa for two seasons so far, and each season she has taken on whatever role I have asked her to play. She is very athletic and works extremely hard. While taking on this new role, Alyssa has really kept a great attitude and has grown so much over the summer. She is quick to make adjustments and brings a great energy and competitiveness to the team. I am very excited to see Alyssa grow into what I believe can be a really great player for us this season.”
Reagan on Lewallen: “Emmie is another incoming freshman that we have, not only is Emmie new to the high school, but she is also new to the district coming from Shell Knob. Emmie has bonded well with the team over the summer and is continuing to get to get to know us like we are getting to know her. Emmie has a great serve and has a lot of great potential that I don’t believe she has tapped into yet. I look forward to having Emmie in the gym and as she continues to adjust to new coaches, teammates, and district, we can continue to see improvement in her game.”
Reagan on Hartsell: “Kyler is an incoming freshman who is a constant encouraging voice for her teammates in practice and in games. Kyler is willing to help out where it’s needed and is willing to step into any role that is asked of her. She has grown a lot this summer in her passing game and I am excited to see her continue to grow offensively as the season begins.”
Reagan on Swihart-Wolfe: “Sydney is another upperclassman we have that brings a great energy to the team. She is a very hard worker and is a great teammate to everyone no matter what her role is at that moment. I love and appreciate the positive attitude and voice that Sydney brings to the team. She is someone we can always count on to bring energy to the court. I am eager to have Sydney back in the gym and continue to work with her to see how she continues to grow and develop as a player.”
Blue Eye opens the season on Aug. 30 at the Koshkonong tournament.
“I’m very excited about this group heading into the season,” Reagan said. “Now in my third year at Blue Eye, I can see the program beginning to take a positive turn. The culture and philosophies we’ve been working hard to build are starting to take root, and I believe that will help us compete even with a younger team. My goal is for us to keep growing and consistently build on these foundational values.”
