By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
In high school sports, turnover is part of the game.
But few programs experience an offseason quite like Marshfield volleyball.
After a two-year run that produced 59 wins and the school’s first district title in recent memory, nearly everything about the program has changed.
The Blue Jays return with an entirely new starting lineup and a new head coach, as Amber Barkley makes the move down I-44 to lead the program into a new era.
The former Waynesville coach is excited for the opportunity.
“Obviously there is a little more pressure to step into a winning program,” Barkley said. “At the end of the day, I want to walk away and know that I have done all that I can to bring out the best in the players that we have on our roster.”
By The Numbers
2025 Record: 28-10-2
2025 District Finish: Won Championship (Beat Jefferson City)
2025 State Finish: Lost to eventual fourth-place finisher Webb City in quarterfinals
Returning Starters: 0
Returning Postseason Honorees: 0
District Titles Since 2009: 1 (2025)
Total Final Four Visits: 2 (1996, 1998)
Total Championships: 0
Storylines to Watch
Can an all-new group sustain Marshfield’s success?
While all the faces around the program have changed, expectations haven’t.
The Blue Jays have won at least 20 matches in seven of the past nine years, even if district championships haven’t always followed. Barkley said that “tradition of success” is what made the job so appealing.
“I love the small-town feel where athletics is a school focus,” Barkley said. “I’m really excited to work on maintaining that tradition while embracing the community at the same time.”
Barkley knows that won’t be easy, especially with significant turnover. But rather than shying away from the challenge, she’s embracing it.
“I think it’s exciting to know that there are big shoes to fill,” Barkley said. “The fun thing has been to see kids step up into different roles as we have played this summer. There is obviously a little bit of pressure that comes with expectation, but it’s a great weight to carry.”
With no seniors on the roster, Marshfield’s future looks bright. But from what she’s seen so far, Barkley believes the present is pretty promising, too.
“The goals of winning conference and districts are there for this group,” Barkley said. “We have the potential to do anything we set our minds to. I think we will continue to grow together as we have more time together. I think our goal is to smile and have fun while working hard and adapting as we go to be the best team we can be.”
What kind of team will Barkley build?
Barkley’s 21-year coaching career has included stops at Odessa, Lexington and Waynesville, as well as a district in her native Kansas.
While her address has changed several times, her approach hasn’t.
“Pass and serve is always going to win games and I think that goes with you wherever you are at,” Barkley said. “I want the girls to get in the gym and work hard and be open to change. Those philosophies remain no matter where you are and who you are working with. Our goal every day is to get better than we were the day before.”
For Barkley, the culture surrounding the program is just as important.
“I hope to instill a disciplined love for the game,” Barkley said. “Volleyball is such a technical game, so if we can increase our focus and discipline to the details that will be the key. I have loved volleyball for such a long time, so I hope I can instill that love in my players. We want to have fun and smile while still being focused on being successful.”
Who’s BackFew returning players have varsity experience. The ones that do will form this year’s foundation.
Atley Rost, Junior (Defensive Specialist/Libero)
Notable: Rost appeared in one varsity set as a freshman and 11 last fall. Now, she’ll have the opportunity to be one of Marshfield’s most important back-row players.
Quotable: “A really good defender,” Barkley said. “She gives a ton of effort and has great communication on the floor. She will compete for a libero spot, but also has the ability to play any defensive position.”
Baylor Espy, Junior (Outside Hitter)
Notable: After making her varsity debut as a sophomore, Espy is poised to see a lot more action this fall. She enters the season ready to help wherever she’s needed.
Quotable: “Baylor has played outside for us this summer,” Barkley said. “She has the ability to play front row or back row and can do a lot of different things. She is small, but mighty.”
Mollie Hyder, Sophomore (Defensive Specialist/Libero)
Notable: After appearing in 34 sets as a freshman, Hyder is Marshfield’s most experienced returner. She’s also one of the most versatile.
Quotable: “She has great touch, is good in serve receive and plays great defense,” Barkley said. “She also has great communication skills and has the ability to play anywhere.”
Molly Mohnen, Sophomore (Middle Hitter)
Notable: Mohnen showed promise in limited varsity action last fall.
Quotable: “We are hoping we can get her back in the gym with us in August,” Barkley said.
Ready for the Next Step
Junior Reese Clark and sophomores Harlee Cotter, Kinny James, Rylee Schmidt and Miller Manary will all be looking to graduate to the varsity after spending 2025 with the JV or ninth-grade teams.
With opportunities available throughout the lineup, everyone on the roster will need to embrace a role for the Blue Jays to be successful.
“I think our biggest question right now is who will step up in the hard moments and who the on-court leader will be,” Barkley said. “This group has a really high potential, but it will take everyone coming together and doing their job.”
New Faces to Know
Barkley’s daughter, Alayna, has also moved from Waynesville, where she was a two-year varsity starter. The all-conference and all-district honoree is joined by Fordland transfer Lydia Vickers and incoming freshman Landri Templeton, who will all be making their case for time in the rotation.
Alayna Barkley, Junior (Outside Hitter)
Coach’s Outlook: “She brings a level of varsity experience from playing Class 5 volleyball that this team needs. She has a high level of ball control and a ton of offensive power.”
Lydia Vickers, Sophomore (Right Side/Outside Hitter)
Coach’s Outlook: “Lydia is a hard worker and super coachable kid who will compete for some time on the pins. She has come in this summer and done whatever is asked of her and she is a great teammate.”
Landri Templeton, Freshman (Setter)
Coach’s Outlook: “She is super athletic and has the ability to run an offense, but is also a great defender. She has done a great job for us this summer and we are looking forward to what she brings to this team.”
Key Dates
Jamboree: August 25 at Helias Catholic (Marshfield, Hermann, Helias Catholic)
Season and Home Opener: August 29 vs. Capital City and Clever
Final Thought
The Blue Jays will have plenty of room to grow this season, and the team that enters the district tournament will be considerably different than the one in the jamboree.
Whether the calendar reads August or November, Amber Barkley hopes one thing is always present.
“I want everyone to know that this team will never stop fighting,” she said. “We are going to work hard every day at improving our skills. We are going to work hard together and for each other. Teams that want to work for each other are hard to beat.”
