BY KYLE TROUTMAN ktroutman@cassville-demomcrat.com
The Purdy volleyball team is getting into its groove.
After a tough 1-6-1 start, and another 6-game skid at the end of September, the Lady Eagles are 3-2-2 in their last seven and gearing up for Class 2, District 11 competition.
Barry Wheeler, Purdy volleyball coach, said the season has been pretty good, despite the early losses.
“We are getting into our groove now and playing to our ability,” he said. “When we played at Bolivar, that was tough, but since then, we have started to play a little more consistently.”
Purdy took sixth in the Southwest Volleyfest tournament on Saturday, falling to Wheaton in the fifth-place match, 2-1. After Monday’s triangular at Bronaugh and Tuesday’s game at Galena, the Lady Eagles have just four matches left before the district tournament begins.
“We have to play in Class 2, and we are a Class 1-level team,” Wheeler said. “We haven’t played Diamond, but we have played Pierce City a couple times and look OK. Any given day, anything can happen in the playoffs.”
Pierce City is leading the district at 15-5 this season, with Diamond and New Heights Christian Academy not far behind at 14-7-1 and 13-8-2, respectively. Sarcoxie is 10-10, just above Purdy, and Southwest is at the bottom of the district record-wise at 6-19-2.
Wheeler said for the Lady Eagles to have a shot at advancing, continuing to pay consistently will be key.
“When we are all playing consistently, I feel we have a chance to compete,” he said. “We have been pretty good at serving, and we’re doing well keeping the ball alive defensively.”
The effort, Wheeler said, is total team, with multiple players sharing the nightly spotlight.
“Zoey [Webb] has done a fantastic job getting to every second ball,” Wheeler said. “”She runs all over the place. There’s been some games where Kenzi Postlewait hits really well, and at times, her and Lauren Brooks take turns playing well.
“Gracie Patton can serve a bunch of BBs, and Brooklyn Bunch is doing a great job at Libero and serving well. Every kid on this team — including those named and Erryn Cunningham, Casey Henderson, Shelbie Patterson, Chloe Prock and Makenna Willis — has stepped up this season.”
