Menu
Dexter VB bringing positivity into the 2024 season
DEXTER – A year ago, Dexter High School varsity volleyball coach Haylee Orf was in the first days of guiding the program, and the process of putting her offensive and defensive systems in place was proving to need some time to develop.
The Bearcats, who had strung together 12 consecutive winning seasons, dropped their first four matches, and seven of their initial eight contests. However, the lessons began to sink in, and Dexter closed the fall by winning 16 of its final 23 matches and, sure enough, achieved winning season No. 13, as it finished 17-14.
“We have a positive outlook,” Orf said of her second team at her alma mater, “and we’re willing to work on new things with that positive outlook.”
It’s easy to have a good attitude when you’re on a team that has experience and has had success, both of which apply to Dexter.
The Bearcats return seniors Kate Nichols, Liz Bolin, Avery Riley, and Cali White.
Nichols was named to the All-Stoddard County Athletic Association Volleyball Team a year ago while Orf said White was better than many thought as a junior.
“Cali is an incredible setter,” Orf said. “She didn’t get near enough accolades last year that I thought she could have. She is an incredible setter and a great leader.”
The Bearcats also return juniors Klaire Essner and Karis Kennedy, who were in the rotation as sophomores.
“Their leadership on varsity this year,” Orf said, “that will really help. “They are going to be a force and be all-around players, for the most part.”
Up front, Dexter will unveil six-foot sophomore Mauriona Menley, who is coming off a strong summer with her 16-under squad, who traveled to Las Vegas for a national tournament.
“She’s only been playing volleyball since middle school,” Orf said of Menley.
Defensively, Orf will utilize Bolin and Riley at libero.
The Bearcats had a lot of success this summer in four different Rib City events, as well as tournaments at John A. Logan College in Illinois and in an event at Branson.
“We played some great schools and had great competition,” Orf said of the summer. “We had some fun doing it.”
Dexter opens its regular season on Sept. 3 at the Bearcat Event Center against Arcadia Valley at 7 p.m.
Orf has nine upperclassmen, in total, including juniors Emily Bolin, Cali Comfort, Essner, Kennedy, and Mattie Thompson.
“I think that it is going to be a fun year,” Orf said. “We have 10 solid girls, but we also have a couple of younger girls, who are working even towards next year, and they could evolve.”