Lone senior leads large group of juniors, 5 incoming freshmen

By Kyle Troutman [email protected]

This year’s Lady Trojans will look different from the group that finished 12-19-3 a season ago.

Steve Voyak, Southwest volleyball coach, said graduation took away significant production, and the roster now features five freshmen expected to contribute immediately. While the inexperience creates challenges, Voyak believes the combination of veteran leadership and emerging talent gives Southwest an opportunity to be competitive by the time district play arrives.

“Our goals are to be competitive in the conference, win as many games as possible, get better with every touch of the ball and be ready to compete at a high level when district playoffs begin,” he said. “Our main points of emphasis are serve, serve reception, attacking the ball and communication. We need to be good at all of those things to be successful.”

The Lady Trojans will lean heavily on senior libero Olivia Hnem, who enters her third season as the varsity starter and is closing in on a milestone few players reach.

After recording 593 receptions and 549 digs last season, Hnem is expected to collect her 1,000th career dig during Southwest’s opening match of the season. Her production is only part of what makes her valuable.

“Her positivity, leadership and energy help hold our team together, especially when we go through a rough patch,” Voyak said. “She has a season of club volleyball under her belt and now wants to play at the next level. She is a good leader, but I want to see her become a great leader.”

With a lineup expected to include several underclassmen, Voyak believes Hnem’s experience will be critical.

“A varsity team with five freshmen and a junior returning from a major injury needs greatness when it comes to leaders,” he said.

Olivia won’t be the only Hnem directing the Lady Trojans. Younger sister Abi Hnem returns after a standout sophomore campaign and will serve as one of the team’s captains while running Southwest’s hybrid 5-1 offense.

Abi led the team with 229 assists last season while also totaling 251 receptions, 209 digs, 17 kills and 29 service aces, but Voyak expects her responsibilities to increase substantially.

“She took a significant step last season, but we are asking her to do twice as much this season,” Voyak said. “It’s her job to gain chemistry with the hitters.”

Among those hitters is sophomore middle Emily Brooks, whose development over the last year has impressed the coaching staff.

Voyak called Brooks the team’s most improved player a season ago after she compiled 65 kills and 137 digs while limiting errors despite facing taller, more athletic competition.

“No one player improved last season more than Emily,” Voyak said. “She grinded it out.”

Brooks also served at a 92% clip with 37 aces and could see an expanded role in both the front and back rows this season.

Junior Lexie Walker and freshman Paula Callison are expected to help replace the production lost from graduated outside hitter Addison Parker, who accounted for 151 kills last year.

Walker was injected into the varsity lineup earlier than expected after roster changes during the season but earned a varsity letter by continuing to improve.

“She just put her head down, didn’t complain and tried to improve with every practice,” Voyak said.

Callison also earned a varsity letter as a freshman and has transitioned to an outside hitter role after previously contributing as a setter.

Junior Holley Montondo returns after serving as Southwest’s “super sub” last season. She provided reliable serving and defensive depth while earning her first varsity letter.

One of the biggest additions could be Uthe, who returns after missing all of last season while recovering from a significant leg injury. The 5-11 junior right-side hitter gives Southwest added size at the net and flashed her potential throughout the summer.

“Her block can be a difference maker,” Voyak said. “She had a good summer putting up a big block but needs more consistency as a hitter and server.”

Freshmen Gracen Varner, Chrissy Stidham, Brylee Cutberth, Alana Smith and Avery Hinton also figure into Southwest’s plans. Varner impressed as a passer during the summer, while Stidham’s athleticism gives the Lady Trojans another option at setter and in the back row. Cutberth, Smith and Hinton all showed promise while adjusting to the varsity level.

“It’s not uncommon for ninth-graders to go straight to the varsity, but it is a challenge trying to incorporate so many of them at the same time,” Voyak said. “We coaches need to be patient and persistent so these girls develop quickly and adjust to high school volleyball immediately.”

Southwest believes serving can again become a strength after consistently serving between 90-92% in recent seasons. However, replacing graduated servers means several players will compete for three open roles.

“We need to train three new servers, so that will be a challenge, but I see girls stepping up to that challenge,” Voyak said.

Even with the personnel turnover, the Lady Trojans know exactly where improvement must come if they hope to contend.

“Serve reception, communication and attacking the ball,” Voyak said. “We need to improve in all three.”

The schedule will provide plenty of opportunities to test that progress.

Conference play returns with familiar rivals Verona, Exeter and Wheaton, while additions including Golden City, New Heights, Sarcoxie, Marion C. Early, Founder’s Academy of Rogers, Ark., Bronaugh and Gentry, Ark., create one of Southwest’s toughest schedules in recent memory.

“It will be exciting to play Verona, Exeter and Wheaton again with the conference on the line,” Voyak said. “We kept them on our schedule even when we left the league, but it’s different when it’s a conference game.”

Voyak also highlighted another tradition that returns this fall. Southwest will host the 43rd annual Southwest Volleyfest Tournament, one of the area’s longest-running volleyball events.

“This is year 43 for the Southwest Volleyfest Tournament, and anything that lasts four decades can’t be all bad,” Voyak said with a laugh.

Everton and Bronaugh join the tournament field this season, while three-time defending champion Pierce City has departed, ensuring a new champion will be crowned.

For Voyak, now entering his 24th season as head coach with 274 career victories, the formula remains simple. If Southwest continues improving from August through October, the wins will follow.

Southwest opens the regular season at home on Sept. 1 against Bronaugh. Volleyfest is scheduled for Oct. 3.

Any girls interested in volleyball at Southwest, practice began Monday, Aug. 10 in the high school gym. Practices the first week are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and Saturday from 9-11 a.m. Players need a current physical and proof of insurance to participate. Southwest begins the season Tuesday, Aug. 25 in a jamboree with Purdy and Wheaton at Hurley. Questions may be emailed to [email protected], or people may call Voyak at 479-422-5395.