By Chris Parker
Lamar volleyball posted a winning record at 16-15-2 in head coach Hallee Gammon’s first season.
Gammon wants to see the program take the next step this season.
“The next step I would like to see the program take is to continue to build our program with the younger kids, have an even better winning record, and make it further into the postseason and win a district title,” Gammon said.
A pair of all-conference players are among the returners this season.
Bailey Heckadon earned first-team all-conference honors as a junior. She led Lamar in aces (62) and digs (256) while finishing second in kills (217) and receptions (318). Heckadon will be an outside hitter.
“Baylee is a utility player who is able to play any position on the floor and reads the court exceptionally well. She is a vocal leader which makes her not only a talented and disciplined athlete but also an amazing teammate,” Gammon said. “I expect her to continue to lead the team with every opportunity she is given and to play hard in every game.”
Calli Harris, also a senior outside hitter, led Lamar in kills with 248 last season on her way to second-team all-conference honors.
“Her best asset on the court is her voice. Her vocal leadership and the ability she has to encourage and keep everyone accountable and positive on the court shows who she is as an athlete but also as an amazing young lady,” Gammon said. “From last year to entering her senior season, she has grown in her role on this team, and I have seen her step up and own it and she is willing to do what’s best for the team instead of what she thinks is best for herself. She is a selfless teammate which makes her one of our best leaders on the court.”
Rowan Parks (senior setter), Keely Taffner (senior opposite/setter), Lilly Hill (senior libero), Eliana Bartholomew (junior opposite), Ashlyn Hayworth (junior defensive specialist), Chrislyn Dixon (sophomore middle hitter) and Sophia Haag (sophomore middle hitter) also return.
Gammon on Parks: “She adds to the team by seeing the defense well, and she is able to set her hitters up for great offensive play and shares her court awareness with her teammates.”
Gammon on Taffner: “Keely will impact the team with her fiery passion for the game and the encouragement she gives her teammates. She has a great swing and is very coachable as her new role as our second setter.”
Gammon on Hill: “Lilly adds to our team with her constant verbal leadership by constantly talking to her teammates on the court and reading where they need to be and she’s never afraid to get on the floor for a good dig. She’s willing to step up whenever is needed and knows her role.”
Gammon on Bartholomew: “Eliana has worked hard all summer to earn her reps on varsity and will add to our team with her great coverage on the front row and bring a positive spark to the court.”
Gammon on Hayworth: “She has battled injuries this summer, so we anticipate hard work to get back to her potential and time on the floor.”
Gammon on Dixon: “Chrislyn adds to our group with her smart attacks at the net and her ability to see the floor. She’s one of the best power hitters we have and the one that pushes her teammates to go hard in practice.”
Gammon on Haag: “Sophia is a great addition to the varsity floor with her ability to match up at the net with great timing with her blocks with any opponent. Her confidence has grown exponentially in her play and role on this team.”
Ana Ngugi (junior setter) and Maddi Minnis (sophomore libero) are newcomers who are in the mix for varsity sets.
Gammon on Ngugi: “Ana Ngugi will make an appearance to the varsity floor with her spunky and athletic ability.”
Gammon on Minnis: “Maddi Minnis will make an appearance on the varsity floor to help the team when needed on the back row.”
This year’s team is a tight-knit group both on and off the court.
“Our biggest strength for our team this year is our team chemistry,” Gammon said. “What they have built off the court relationally has greatly impacted their chemistry on the court. As teammates, they truly care about one another and push each other to get better which has caused a sense of unity on the court. Most of these girls have truly bought into the program and know the expectation and what it takes to be successful and work hard together to rise up to those expectations.”
Gammon wants her team to be loud with constant talk on the court this season.
“Communicating on the court is something we have been working hard to improve this summer and for each athlete to stay disciplined in the little things with a selfless attitude to achieve our team goals,” Gammon said. “We will continue to improve upon these things as we start into the fall. My goal is for them to out-talk each opponent we face this year.”
Lamar travels to Seneca on Aug. 26 for a jamboree with McDonald County, Cassville and Seneca. The Lady Tigers open the regular season on Sept. 2 at home against Strafford.
“My overall expectation for this year is to build lasting relationships that go beyond volleyball and make a run in the postseason,” Gammon said. “Also, I would like to see this group win our conference as well this season.”
