Sports

At a special meeting on Friday, the Mid-Lakes Conference voted to add Hollister, Reeds Spring and Springfield Catholic, reducing the Big 8 to 11 schools for the 20242025 school year. More about this story will be released as a fuller picture of the future Big 8 comes into focus.

Purdy volleyball senior Rylee Stanford was in fourth grade the last time the Lady Eagles won a district title, and she and new Head coach Barry Wheeler aim to lead Purdy back to postseason glory and revive a program that has not had a winning season since 2015. Wheeler, who brings nearly four decades of club, high school and collegiate coaching experience to Purdy, said the Lady Eagles’ best quality this season is their effort on the floor.

Purdy volleyball coach Barry Wheeler reached his 500th win last week with a 2-0 (2519, 25-19) victory over Exeter on Saturday in the Thomas Jefferson Invitational. The Lady Eagles went 2-2 at the tournament and have an overall record of 3-8-2 this season.

With two sophomores offering the most returning varsity experience to the Wheaton volleyball team, the Lady Bulldogs are finding their footing as a squad this season. Cheyanne Gudgell, in her first year as head coach in Wheaton, said the team’s goals this season are simple.