BY KYLE TROUTMAN ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com
Persistence is paramount for the Cassville volleyball team this season.
The Lady Wildcats open their 2024 campaign on Tuesday, hosting Southwest, and the young squad is expecting to battle through some adversity and improve across the floor.
Paige Huddleston, Cassville volleyball coach, said she always sets high expectations for her teams, but this year’s group is different.
‘We are young and will have some growing pains, but I expect us to battle harder than we have in the past, no matter the outcome,’ she said. ‘My goal for this particular group is to improve every set we play. If we push ourselves to keep growing individually and as a unit, we will love the outcome.’
Five starters return to the squad: senior middle Aaliyah Franklin, senior setter and defensive specialist Lorelei VanDerhoef, junior libero and defensive specialist Kennedy Truman, sophomore outside hitter Audrey Kennedy and sophomore setter and rightside hitter Taylor Kennedy.
‘Aaliyah will be returning to the middle for us this season and we anticipate big things from her,’ Huddleston said. ‘She made an impact as a blocker last season with 58 blocks, and we predict she will get the same or more this coming year. She was underused as an attacker, so we want to get the ball to her more this year, which will give our offense more variety. Aaliyah is also a leader for us and we will look to her in tight games. Although Lorelei mostly helped our JV as a 6 rotation setter last year, she was a utility DS for us stepping in when needed. Lorelei could help us as a setter or DS depending on our opponents and what offense we want to run with each game. She is also stepping into a leadership role and being a positive voice for this young group.
‘Kennedy has lettered the past two years for us as a utility DS, playing both middle and left back positions. She is uniquely steadfast on defense and we will look to her to steer the back row. Audrey came in as a freshman last year and exploded on the outside. She continues to improve her all around game and we look to her to be a force for us as a hitter and on the back row, defensively. She is also exceptionally consistent at the service line. Taylor was moved to varsity shortly into the season last year as a setter and really started making connections with her hitters. We will look for her to run our offense in a 5-1 or 6-2 depending on opponents. She is also developing her net play as an attacker and blocker and I anticipate using her as an additional offensive weapon.’
A trio of newcomers of all ages also hope to contribute to the team this season: junior rightside and opposite hitter Ansley Harris, sophomore defensive specialist and outside hitter Kami Stough and freshman middle Sammi Stockton.
‘Ansley has been a 6 rotation opposite on JV for us and comes in this season eager to prove her potential, seeing the varsity floor only 4 times last season,’ Huddleston said. ‘She could see time on either pin, but her growth as a blocker makes her standout on the right side for us. Ansley’s desire to be her best is contagious within this young group. Kami came on strong as a defender in the offseason and is now working to refine her front row skills and be an all around player. Her serve is a weapon and with confidence she could grow into a 6 rotation player for us.
‘Sammi has a big job as an incoming freshman, filling a hole in the middle for us. She blends well with the group and her hunger to be an offensive weapon is helping her find a place on this young squad. I see exciting things from her as she develops her all around game.’
Among all the varsity group, Huddleston said Franklin and VanDerhoef are taking on the leadership roles.
‘Aaliyah is always helping her younger teammates and encouraging everyone around her to give it their all,’ Huddleston said. ‘Lorelei stepped in here and there last season and has been a utility player for us but this season she is stepping up in a big way as a leader for these younger athletes. She picks everyone up around her and we expect her to be a vocal leader on the court, bringing her game understanding with her.
‘These two seniors are a unique balance of push and love. They expect 100% effort from their younger teammates, but they are also the first ones to pick the team up when down. Together, they are the spark that lights a fire and the glue that keeps us whole.’
Having worked through the summer and with the season on the horizon after Tuesday’s jamboree, Huddleston said Cassville is evaluating its strengths and weaknesses.
‘Persistence [is our greatest strength],’ she said. ‘This is a young group, but they never quit. They lean on one another in the good times and the tough. I think this particular group has the longevity and ambition to get in the trenches and battle together. Never giving up could give us an edge in some tough matches this season.’
Where the Lady Wildcats have the will to win, Huddleston said confidence and experience are areas in which they’ll have to play catch-up.
‘We are young, with little varsity time as individuals and no varsity time as a unit,’ she said. ‘As we gain some experience playing together, I think our confidence will increase, only making us stronger as a team.’
Huddleston said looking at the slate of opponents this season, as well as three tournaments in Buffalo, Mt. Vernon and McDonald County, the strength of the schedule bodes well for accomplishing team goals.
‘I’m excited about some of the changes this season,’ she said. ‘With the Big 8 Conference restructuring, some games will hold more weight than in previous seasons. We play a few teams that made solid postseason runs last season, Clever and Diamond. We also have two new varsity tournaments in Buffalo and Mt. Vernon, both hosting some salty competition.’
Of the 17 regular-season bouts, Cassville is on the road 10 times, making the home contests even more important to the squad.
‘We don’t have a ton of home games this season,’ Huddleston said. ‘With [the season finale against Aurora on Oct. 15] being on Senior Night and the game before our district tournament, I think it would be incredible to pack our gym with Wildcat fans and get these girls fired up to battle in districts.’
Coming off the first winning season since 2017, going 17-15-3 last year, Huddleston said the expectations have not changed, and these Lady Wildcats have a chance to prove themselves.
‘This young group is ambitious and driven to prove themselves,’ she said. ‘Coming off a winning season last year, they know my expectations haven’t changed for the program, and they work hard every day to bring out their best. They want to be one team, top to bottom! The more we are all together, the closer we get to beating as one heart.
‘I am incredibly excited about this group of young athletes. They have a fire to battle when things are difficult and are approaching the game with a ‘no fear’ attitude. If they can sustain that perspective throughout the season, I genuinely believe they will surprise many people.’
