The Wheaton volleyball team nearly met its goal of a district title, falling to Galena in the championship, but the Lady Bulldogs still achieved a winning record and immense growth with a revamped offense.

Robert Creekmore, Wheaton volleyball coach, said overall, it was a successful year.

“At the beginning of each season we discuss goals for the year,” he said. “That list includes things like having a winning record, winning a conference championship, and winning a district championship. We didn’t perform as well as we had hoped in the conference this year finishing mid-pack, but advancing to the district championship match was a great way to finish the season.

“The Ozark 7 is a very competitive conference. If we are able to improve on first contact, as well as on the defensive side, I really like our chances next season. This team really peaked at the right time and earned the No. 2 seed in the district tournament. After advancing to the district championship game, we dropped a close match to a really good Galena team. While we didn’t capture the title, the girls competed hard and represented our program well.”

Losing their largest offensive producer last season, Creekmore said the Lady Bulldogs had to adjust, and as the season progressed, so did a tandem.

“The beginning of the year was really a process of determining how we were going to compete offensively,” he said. “With four starters returning from last season’s squad, we had some varsity experience on the court, but we were really looking for an offensive leader. Senior setter Lily Ray and junior middle hitter Jianna Cha really began to connect mid-way through the season, and this tandem provided the majority of our offense.

“Along with the four returning players, we also started two freshman. Middle hitter Nevaeh Crandall and outside hitter Jayci Park improved tremendously throughout the season. It is incredibly difficult to transition from junior high ball straight into varsity play. The game is so much faster, and these young women held their own against some great competition.”

Though the gains were noticeable, Creekmore said Wheaton is still looking to make strides with some skills.

“We struggled most of the year with controlling the first contact,” he said. “When we were able to serve receive the ball well, our offense really clicked. When we didn’t serve receive well or pass free balls to target, we really had difficulties scoring. This is an area we can definitely improve on and we will look to get better in this area in the summer.”

The Lady Bulldogs also celebrated an individual achievement this year, when Ray hit 1,000 career assists.

“She has been a very hard worker and has improved tremendously from her freshman year,” Creekmore said. “One thing that makes this accomplishment so unique is that you have to depend on your hitters to terminate the ball in order for you to get an assist. Its not like other stats like aces or digs where you are in direct control of the outcome. She has had to work with multiple hitters over the years to reach this goal.”

Other Lady Bulldogs also made significant contributions.

“Senior outside hitter Allison Whitman and Senior Right Side Zoey Martell also played key roles this year,” Creekmore said. “Allison has been a four-year letter winner and has played a variety of positions throughout her career. She was a primary passer in all six rotations and was second on the team in kills, aces and digs. We will definitely miss her presence defensively and in serve receive.

“Zoey stepped in and filled a gap as a right side attacker for us this season. She improved tremendously on defense and was one of our best servers this season.”

Creekmore also named a few other younger players that will see more time in the future.

“Our team leader in kills this season, junior Jianna Cha, will take on more of a leadership role next year,” he said. “Jianna has been a varsity starter since her freshman year. She is a six rotation player and along with Nevaeh Crandall and Park — they will set the tone for the year. Freshman Raelyn Buckhannan will look to fill the setter position, and there will be strong competition for the other outside hitter position and Libero.”

Wheaton finished the season at 16-11-2.