Lady Wildcats amping up competition to prep for hosting districts

By Kyle Troutman [email protected]

Cassville volleyball coach Paige Huddleston has intentionally loaded the Wildcats’ early-season schedule with challenging opponents.

The Lady Wildcats have opened the season at 4-3, and Huddleston said the hike in the level competition is designed to prepare Cassville for the district tournament — which Cassville is hosting — later in the season.

“We stack our schedule,” Huddleston said. “We’re trying to, and at least we’ve been working on stacking our schedule early in the season before we get into conference matches with bigger schools, Class 4s, or just some really, really good Class 3s.”

Cassville opened its campaign at Neosho, a Class 5 school, producing a 3-0 sweep that slightly surprised the Lady Wildcats’ coach. Cassville then faced Clever, a Class 3 program with an established history of success, before playing Hillcrest, a Class 4 school from Springfield.

Cassville lost both bouts to Clever and Hillcrest in four sets, but Huddleston said those results can be valuable, even when they don’t go into the win column.

“When we go play our conference teams that maybe aren’t as tough — we do have a couple of teams in our conference that can be really, really tough — we just get prepared better to play in our conference and districts when we play those bigger schools,” she said.

The Lady Wildcats have continued that approach with their tournament schedule.

Cassville played at the Lady Bisons Buffalo Invitational Saturday, and will travel to the Mustang Volleyball Classic starting Sept. 26, and the Mt. Vernon October Aces tournament in early October.

“Any time we’re not scheduled for a conference match, we are trying to play above our class, or the toughest teams in our class as we can,” Huddleston said.

An encouraging sign through the first games has been Cassville’s ability to consistently compete, even against the toughest opponents.

The Lady Wildcats have won at least one set in every match this season. All three losses have all come in four sets, and Cassville took Berryville (Ark.) and Aurora to five sets for wins.

“I think it speaks a lot,” Huddleston said. “Our girls were very tenacious this year — I think that shows.”

Clever, in particular, provided a measuring stick for Cassville.

“They’ve swept almost everybody they’ve played,” Huddleston said. “We took a set from them, and it wasn’t a close set. We put it to them, and I think it just shows what we can do when we’re all on.”

That competitive nature has been especially important, as Cassville has developed more depth throughout its roster. The Lady Wildcats have four seniors providing leadership, while several juniors, sophomores and freshmen have earned opportunities to contribute.

Among the juniors, Abbigail Yarnall and Isabel Castleberry have seen playing time, while Kailyn Speer has stepped up as a defensive specialist. Speer saw additional action recently when Cassville had seniors out with illness.

Those opportunities have extended to the sophomore class, as well. Lexie Meltabarger saw some varsity action as a freshman last season and has continued to develop, while Kristel Sesenas has provided defensive help.

Sammi Stockton, a junior, has also become a consistent contributor after being around the program for several years.

“She’s been a staple,” Huddleston said. “She’s been with these girls now for three years.”

The freshman class has also made an early impact.

Reagan Truman has taken over setting duties and has seen time in the front row, while Rayleigh Stehlik has earned time on the floor with her size and aggressive play. Cara Leach is another freshman Huddleston expects to contribute to the program.

“[Reagan is] just consistent,” Huddleston said. “She doesn’t make a lot of errors. She works hard. And, I think it’s helping our older girls with their confidence, as well, because she’s always doing her job, and that’s helping us tremendously.”

Huddleston said Stehlik has also embraced the opportunity.

“Ray came in this summer very hungry,” Huddleston said. “She wanted a spot on the floor. She’s working at it. She’s a big block for us. She’s trying to hit the ball faster and harder, and she’s being aggressive and just doing what we need her to do right now.”

The mixture of experience and youth has created competition within the roster while keeping the focus on the team’s overall goal.

“I think these younger girls are really pushing the older girls to be the best that they can be,” Huddleston said. “And, I think the older girls want to win at the end of the day, so they don’t care what mix is on the floor — whatever combination we have to put together to come out with a W. At the end of the day, that’s everybody’s goal.”

That mindset could be important when Cassville reaches the postseason.

The district landscape has changed, with Nevada entering the district and Mt. Vernon moving out. Lamar and Monett are among the teams Huddleston expects to provide significant challenges.

Cassville got an early look at Lamar during the jamboree, splitting two sets with the Tigers.

“It’s not going to be easy just because Mount Vernon is out,” Huddleston said. “I know everybody wants to assume that they’re the powerhouse in our conference and district. But, we’ve got some other good teams in our district and we’re going to have to fight through all of that.”

While the district competition will be challenging, Huddleston believes the Lady Wildcats have the personnel to compete.

“I look at what’s in our district, and I look at what’s on our floor, and I think we have all the pieces and all the potential to beat those teams that are tough,” she said. “It may not be easy, and it may be a five-set thriller every night in districts. But, I think we definitely, if we put our minds to it, I think we have a shot of doing that this year.”

Cassville will also have the benefit of hosting districts, something Huddleston believes can provide an advantage.

The Lady Wildcats are accustomed to their home court, including its high ceilings, lighting, floor and sight lines.

“It’s going to be a comfort for the girls,” Huddleston said. “We are comfortable here as far as the court and the ceilings, and the crowd is always loud and gets our girls hype.”

Huddleston said even seemingly minor differences between gyms can affect players, particularly when it comes to ceiling height, lighting and court lines. Cassville’s home crowd, meanwhile, gives the Wildcats another source of energy.

“Our girls just seem to play more free on our home court, which I think that’s probably standard for most teams,” she said.

Possibly the most encouraging development through the opening portion of the season has been the Lady Wildcats’ ability to respond when matches begin to turn against them.

Cassville has struggled at times in third sets, but Huddleston has been impressed with the team’s ability to regroup and make the next set competitive. Against Berryville and Aurora, the Lady Wildcats came back to force a fifth set.

“We’ve really been struggling in the third set,” Huddleston said. “And we haven’t always been able to turn it around and win the fourth set, but we’re always really close in the fourth set after we struggle.”

Huddleston credited the team’s senior leadership for helping the Wildcats maintain their composure.

“These seniors are turning us around, and even though we may not come back and win the fourth, we’re close, battling back,” Huddleston said. “We’re trying to fix errors and move on to the next set. That’s going to make a difference for us when we get into games that really, really matter.”

The Lady Wildcats’ next contest is Thursday at Nevada.