By Chris Parker
West Plains volleyball continued its rise last season going from six wins in 2022 to 20 wins in 2023 to 27 wins last season.
This year’s team is looking to keep that momentum going.
“We are hoping to just keep improving,” West Plains head coach Hailey Beazley said. “We lost in the district championship last year, and we are hoping to get back there and beyond this year.”
Six players who saw action in at least 92 of the 112 varsity sets return.
Mylea Adams was second on the team in kills with 381 and led in blocks with 54. She returns to the middle where she earned second-team all-conference honors.
“Mylea’s leadership has grown so much throughout the years, but especially in the off-season and this summer. She will take on more of the leadership role and we will definitely look to her more offensively as well,” Beazley said. “She works so hard in transition. As a middle, you have to work to put yourself in a good position to get the ball and she does a really nice job of that. Her explosiveness is a big part of it too. She is super-fast and has hops.”
Lucy Hafer also earned second-team all-conference honors in her junior season tallying 1080 assists and a team-high 66 aces.
“Lucy is a leader for our team and has a great connection with our hitters. She works hard to get to know what each of them need. She also turns a lot of just ok balls into really great sets,” Beazley said. “She is always communicating throughout every play. Communication in volleyball is huge and Lucy is our loudest communicator.”
Libby Welch is a senior libero who had 226 digs and 202 receptions last season.
“Libby is a senior and played DS for us last year and has stepped into the libero role,” Beazley said. “Libby is quick and does a great job of reading on defense. She also makes quick adjustments.”
Ella Orr returns to the right side where she had 120 kills.
“Ella is a senior and played right side for us last year and will play there again this year too,” Beazley said. “Ella also brings a voice and leadership to our team.”
Ashlyn Tinsley is a second returning middle.
“Ashlyn Tinsley is a junior and our other returning middle,” Beazley said. “She has grown a lot in the off season.”
Violet Hafer rounds out the returning players after she saw action in 100 sets as a freshman.
“Violet is a sophomore and will be playing outside for us again this year,” Beazley said. “Violet has a heavy arm and she is also able to mix up her shots really well. She also brings a big block.”
Delani Wahome, Aubrey Tidwell, Emma Wiedemann, Jocelyn Denny, Cameron Brill and Natalie Ell are newcomers to watch on the varsity level.
Beazley on Wahome: “Delani is a junior who will play right side and some middle for us thi year. Delani brings a big block for our side, and I am excited to watch her grow offensively this year.”
Beazley on Tidwell: “Aubrey is a junior and will be our other setter this year. We are going to run a 6-2 with her and Lucy. Aubrey is an extremely hard worker and has done a great job running the offense this summer.”
Beazley on Wiedemann: “Emma is a sophomore and has been in several positions this summer. She has set, played on both pins, and played middle back defense. She has a high ceiling and I’m excited to watch her find her groove this season.”
Beazley on Denny: “Jocelyn is a junior and has also played both pins for us and middle back this summer. She does a great job stepping in wherever we need her and also makes quick adjustments defensively.”
Beazley on Brill: “Cameron is a senior and brings a voice no matter where she is. She is always communicating and encouraging her teammates. She will play some middle back and left back defense for us.”
Beazley on Ell: “Natalie Ell is another pin hitter who may see this court this year. Natalie is a freshman, and she is super consistent. She transitions well and puts herself in a great position to take a good swing.”
This group combined with the returners provides depth across the board for West Plains.
“We have depth in every position, and I think the experience from last year will help us a lot too,” Beazley said.
West Plains hosts a jamboree on Aug. 26 with Branson and Glendale. It will be a special event held outdoors on the football field. The Zizzers open the regular season on Sept. 2 at Willow Springs.
“We have big goals,” Beazley said. “Everyone in the sport knows how tough it is to play so many games in such a short season, so we just have to stay focused on all the right things no matter what comes our way. Play with and for each other through the great times and the hard times and trust our culture. If we are able to do that, we are going to go far.”
