By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
2024 proved to be a banner year for Marshfield volleyball.
The relatively young and inexperienced Blue Jays posted a 31-6-1 record, falling to Webb City in the Class 4 District 6 tournament.
“We definitely exceeded expectations for the season, as we were returning only three players with varsity experience,” new head coach Sara Bull said. “Our team was extremely fun to watch as they played hard for each other and celebrated every point earned. Every player that was on the roster was bought into the success of the team.”
With only a single loss to graduation, a talented senior class steps into prominent leadership roles for the Blue Jays in Quinn Aldridge, Gracelynn Bull, Tilly Greenfield, Afton Houston, Allison Mashburn and Kinleigh Mings.
Aldridge, a 5-foot-9 setter, posted 207 digs and led the team in kills (238), assists (380) and aces (59). She received all-state honors and was also named to all-conference and all-district squads.
Gracelyn Bull, a setter and right side, recorded 227 kills, 358 assists, 166 digs, 41 aces and 23 blocks. She received all-conference and all-district honors as a junior.
“Our setters led our team with confidence and kept the team in system,” Coach Bull said. “Quinn and Gracelyn stepped into the setting role seamlessly and led the team through the season with
Confidence.”
Greenfield, a 5-foot-6 middle hitter, also received all-conference and all-district honors last season.
“Tilly was in her third season starting at middle hitter but stepped into a 6-rotation role by playing left back,” Coach Bull said. “Tilly led our team with blocks (55) and added to our offensive presence with 170 kills. Tilly is a very athletic kid who can fill any position.”
Houston, a middle/libero, earned all-conference and all-district honors as a junior.
“Afton made a big change this past season from a defensive specialist to a middle blocker,” Coach Bull said. “She put in countless hours of work to become a dominant force at the net. She added 27 blocks, 68 kills and 166 digs. She has continued to put in time in the off-season to become a bigger threat in the middle of our offense.”
Mashburn, an outside hitter, finished the season with 89 kills for the Blue Jays.
“Allison was a three-rotation player for us this past season who terminated the ball when it was needed,” Coach Bull said. “She was a consistent player who thrived in off blocker defense and hitting the line.”
Mings, a right side, rounds out Marshfield’s returning starters.
“Kinleigh put up a giant block against the outside hitters from other teams,” Coach Bull said. “She added 59 kills this past season. Kinleigh and Allison both take the team mentality to heart and have moved positions based on the needs in a game.”
Marshfield will also feature several varsity newcomers battling for playing time this season.
“The players to watch include Atley Rost, Baylor Espy, Mollie Hyder, and Molly Mohnen,” Coach Bull said. “These players will add a little depth to go with the six returners. All four have had a chance to play with the varsity this summer and have adjusted quickly to the faster paced game.
“One of our greatest assets is the speed and tempo of our game,” Coach Bull said. “We are an undersized team, but if we can stay in system we are hard to keep up with. Our team genuinely likes each other. The girls are always giving 100% not for a coach but for each other. This makes it easy to be aggressive knowing that the other 5 on the court have your back.”
Following Aug. 26 jamboree in Jefferson City, Marshfield opens its season Aug. 30 at Capitol City.
