By Chris Parker
Willow Springs volleyball posted a second straight 20-win season with a 24-8-2 record last year.
Head coach Christina Collins would like to see her team step up to compete for conference and district titles.
“My goal for our program is to win SCA and district championships,” Collins said. “Our last SCA win was in 01-02 and our district championship was 17-18.”
A pair of second-team all-conference players in Sydney Stuart and Paisley Crudgington return this season.
Stuart is a versatile player who had 49 aces, 280 digs, 439 assists and 190 kills. She will play outside hitter on the front row and setter on the back.
“Having a setter come back that has been setting for our varsity four years will make a big impact on the team. She knows who and when to get the ball to our hitters at the right time. Her and the hitters have their timing down along with her knowing how her hitters like the ball being set, whether it be high, low, slow, or fast,” Collins said. “Her volleyball IQ for both sides of the court is amazing. She is a player that you only have to critique the little things other than that she is one of our best all-around players.”
Crudgington will be a primary hitter after posting a 266-kill season as a junior with 39 total blocks. She will be in the middle.
“Paisley is tall, athletic, and smart. She is 6’1 with the ability to read the defense. She knows when she needs to swing hard or when to tip to a certain spot on the floor,” Collins said. “This year she will be more of an asset to the team with playing all six rotations. In the years past, she only played front row for us but this year she will be playing all around.”
Alexis Sigman returns to provide another potent hitting option after she had 190 kills in her sophomore season.
“Alexis Sigman is a junior and she has started for us since her freshman year as well,” Collins said. “This year she will play a new role of becoming our other middle. She will also play a six-rotation (role), which will be new for her also because she has only played front row in the past. She is also 6’1” and can put the ball down at any time.”
Zoey Bryan and Emma Grogan are also returning for their senior season.
“Zoey Bryan will be our defensive specialist for our team. She does an excellent job on the back row for our team,” Collins said. “Emma Grogan will also be our defensive specialist and will run the setters spot at different times as well.”
Brylee Belts will step up to the varsity level in her junior season, taking on a key setting role.
“She is going to become our other primary setter but will also be our outside hitter,” Collins said. “This will be Brylee’s first year on the varsity team but has enough experience to take on the role and already established chemistry of our other players.”
Neely Gilbert (junior outside hitter) and Allie Adams (junior outside hitter) will also be varsity contributors.
“Team chemistry is something that we started to work on late this summer and has improved our overall team connection with everyone,” Collins said. “I have always said, ‘it’s hard to beat a team that is actually a team.’ I can say this year we are truly a team with a lot of talent on the floor with the same goal.”
Willow Springs travels to Houston for a jamboree on Aug. 26 with Cabool and Houston before opening the regular season on Sept. 2 at home against West Plains.
