A court full of returners and a strong team chemistry is what the Cassville volleyball team hopes will fuel a winning season.

Cassville volleyball coach Paige Huddleston said team goals always revolve around individual and whole-squad improvement, but the players have more on their minds.

“The girls set goals for them selves every season, and much like teams before them, they want to chase the conference and postseason wins,” she said.

Cassville returns six players who bring experience and con fidence to the floor, qualities the Lady Wildcats hope will lead to improving last year’s 6-24 2 record. Two seniors lead that group in Kennedy Truman and
Ansley Harris.

“Kennedy is starting her fourth year on the varsity floor,” Huddleston said. “She brings confidence to our defense as well as our team. She’s a consistent passer in serve-receive and fear less when digging the hard ball or picking up tips. She also adds a steady float serve, which will give us options in the serving
rotation as our libero.

“Ansley comes back with another year of experience and is taking more risks this season.
She is a confident blocker on the right side, and we will rely on her slowing the outside hitters down
for us at the net. Ansley is being more aggressive at the net as an attacker and will be a force at the service line.”

Juniors returning to the fray include sisters Audrey Kennedy and Taylor Kennedy, as well as Kami Stough.

“Audrey returns to her third year on varsity,” Huddleston said. “With that time comes poise and balance. Audrey is a triple threat with her faithful serve, unwavering defense and relentless attacking. Playing six rotations, Audrey balances her game efficiently and we look to her to lead our offense. Taylor comes back for her third year leading our varsity offense as our setter. She brings grit and composure to the floor, ensuring our hitters stay confident. She continues to grow defensively and added a jump serve this season “Kami Stough is the definition of utility player. She played a big role for us defensively last season, and we will rely on her to continue that impact in the back row. Kami worked hard on her offensive game in the offseason and could see time in the front row, as well. She balances her game with an aggressive jump float serve.”

Sophomore Sammi Stockton rounds out the returning group.

“Sammi returns to the floor after working hard in the offseason,” Huddleston said. “She adds some confidence to her attacking and blocking in the middle. She is driven to make an impact and will help balance our offense.”

Beyond those six, Huddleston said a couple of newcomers will also play roles.

“Keely Bailey suffered an injury at the end of her freshman season that forced her to sit out of her sophomore year,” Huddleston said. “She is coming back motivated to make an impact. Keely is intense and will do whatever it takes to win, which makes her a threat as a blocker and attacker for us. Junior Stephanie Hernandez is coming up from JV, where she saw a variety of the back row. With some more experience and touches, she could step in defensively for us.”

Huddleston said her senior leaders are setting the tone early, which helps not only the team, but the program.

“Kennedy and Ansley are stepping up and leading our younger kids as we get our season started,” Huddleston said. “As a whole, the older girls want to set the standard for our program and always help guide our younger players.”

The Lady Wildcats’ leadership has helped the team develop a strong defense, while offense is still being developed.

“Our defense is our foundation,” Huddleston said. “We are confident in the back court and we hope to bring that to our offense this season. We have to be more aggressive and proficient on the offensive side of the ball. We are gaining confidence as we speed up our offense, but we have to be comfortable finding any way to score.”

Through the healthy mix of home and away games week in and week out, Huddleston said if there’s one night fans should fill the gym, it’s against a familiar rival.

“Sept. 30 versus Monett,” Huddleston said. “Any time the Wildcats meet Monett, it is guaranteed to be a battle to the end, and we would love it if we could pack the house against the Lady Cubs.”

VolleyBrawl aside, Huddleston said Cassville’s schedule is set up to test her players.

“We have slowly been adding some tougher games at the beginning of our season, as well as playing three games a week almost every week,” Huddleston said. “Meeting good teams like Hillcrest and Clever will better prepare us for our conference matches later in the season.”

Through the challenges of the season, Huddleston said the Lady Wildcats hope to improve in an area they are already succeeding in — chemistry. Their sense of family, she said, sets them apart.

“This group of young ladies are truly one unit,” Huddleston said. “They support each other on and off the court. We spend copious amounts of time together, and this bunch has truly embodied the meaning of family. They have the same goals and aspirations, and ultimately, want to do it together.”

Huddleston said with that camaraderie, said she’s eager to see what this group can accomplish.

“It has been so much fun coaching this talented group of girls,” she said. “We always set high expectations for our season, but I am truly excited to see all they accomplish together.”

Cassville’s season began on Tuesday at home against 417 Mavericks HSA. The next matchup is a home bout against Sarcoxie. The final home is Oct. 9 against Mt. Vernon, and the season finale is Oct. 14 at Aurora.