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Advance takes aim at second three-peat
With a solid core of young, but experienced, veterans returning, the biggest question for the Advance Hornets volleyball team might be about the intangibles.
The Hornets have graduated all-staters Lexi Hoffman and Abigail Kennedy, but return two other all-state players and several key players from last season's state championship squad. And while Advance has just one senior on its roster, the Hornets' returning juniors and sophomores bring a wealth of experience to the court.
“We lost our leadership, we lost our big, bold, crazy personalities, and then we lost that grit and that competitiveness that we are going to do whatever it takes to win,” Advance coach Erin Hoffman said. “It's not that it's not in this younger team, (but) it has to be replaced, and a few of those players are going to step up and fill those roles.”
Addison Carlton, a returning all-stater and the team's lone senior, echoes those sentiments.
“We're going to have to really work on our offense,” Carlton said. “We lost our tallest girls (but) we're pretty loaded. We've got a lot going for our defense. I just think we need to really work on our hitting and blocking.”
Junior setter Kyndall Hitt also concurs.
“We really have to challenge ourselves and work on our offense,” Hitt said. “We lost our tallest players, so I think that us working as a team more, relying on ourselves and showing that we want it will get us to where we want to be, which is (back to) state.”
Carlton led Advance in aces last season (112) and digs (368) and was second on the team in kills last season (228). Meanwhile, Emma Eilers, another returning all-stater, was second on the team in aces (62) and digs (326), while adding 132 kills.
Coach Hoffman is hopeful the duo will step up as leaders this fall.
“I do know that sometimes they're both a little serious, and sometimes it's hard to let that go enough to be able to do some of those other things,” coach Hoffman said, “but there are quite a few other players that could supply those supporting roles as far as the leadership or the communication.
“I don't need one specific leader. I just need those few people that are going to get the motivation going and that sort of thing.”
One of those potential leaders is Hitt, who led the Hornets with 627 assists last season while adding 210 digs.
“She's worked her little tail off, but she's always had Lexi's leadership to guide her along,” coach Hoffman said. “And now that Lexi's graduated, Kyndall is going to have to step up and become that decision maker and that quarterback leader as the setter.”
Another potential leader is junior libero Brogan Hawkins, who added 250 digs last season and is coming off of a strong summer.
“She's shown a lot of (leadership) this summer and she's shown a lot of communication,” coach Hoffman said. “She's got a great attitude. She's always happy and just always motivating her teammates, so I'm hoping she plays a much bigger role this year.”
Also back is sophomore Olivia Kennedy, who was second on the team in blocks last season (64, 27 solo) and added 148 kills while playing alongside Abigail Kennedy and Lexi Hoffman up front.
“I am planning on her taking on a big offensive role this year, as she was a part of the state championship team,” coach Hoffman said.
While the Hornets have a few questions to answer this season, the summer has given the squad a chance to come together.
“I think … most of us have came in together and were like, 'Okay, we have to figure something out — like what is going to work best for us?'” Hawkins said. “And I think the fact that we're all putting the effort in to be better for each other is what's stood out.”
And it's also hard to argue with Advance's work ethic.
“We don't give up at all,” Hitt said. “We push ourselves till we are dead on the floor. We really have worked on being a team, and we've challenged each other the most to step up.”
Bernie
Record: 18-11-1, lost in Class 1 District 2 semifinals.
Head coach: Rachel Vernon.
Key players: Bailey Henry (sr.), Tatum Anthony (jr.), Blair Pleimling (jr.), Kerri Botsch (sr.), Macie Botsch (sr.), Mackenzie Meese (jr.), Rylie Powell (sr.) Kalli Mason (jr.) Alexa Dillinger (jr.) and Kealea Powell (sr.). Dillinger led the team in assists (741) last season, while Kealea Powell paced the the Lady Mules with 233 kills and Rylie Powell had a team-high 368 digs. Botsch, Henry and Pleimling also combined for 150 digs in 2023.
Coach's thoughts: All of our players can play every position that I have put them in. The dynamic of this team is incredible, very desirable. You might see each player play in a different position depending on what team we are facing. Most of these girls have been playing varsity level for a few years now and this year I believe that will help us in our favor. Their chemistry is great and they are all hard workers. They come to practice eager to learn and always wanting to learn more.
Bell City
Record: 24-10-2, lost to Advance in Class 1 quarterfinals.
Head coach: Lori Meyer.
Key returnee: Molly Mannon (soph.) is back after collecting 124 kills last season to go with 53 blocks (49 solo) last season. However, she is the lone returnee with extensive varsity experience.
Bloomfield
Record: 15-15-4.
Head coach: Brasley Conner.
Key returnees: Kaelyn Conner (sr.), Abbigail Heaton (sr.) and Kendall Phillips (jr.). Kaelyn Conner had 194 kills and 263 digs last season, while Heaton added 129 kills and Phillips had 368 assists to go with 43 aces and 215 digs.
Puxico
Record: 9-17-1.
Head coach: Paige Mays.
Key players: Information not available.
Richland
Record: 1-23-1.
Head coach: Lisa Taylor.
Key players: Information not available.
Woodland
Record: 14-19, lost to Scott City in Class 2 District 2 championship match.
Head coach: Emily Johnson.
Key players: Mallary Barks (sr.), Makayla Altenthal (soph.) and Addyson Massa (soph.). Barks had a team-leading 355 kills, 285 digs and 55 aces last season, while Altenthal added 154 kills and a team-high 57 blocks (55 solo). Meanwhile, Massa had 249 digs in 2023.