2021 Fall Preview: Catholic Volleyball

By Chris Parker

Springfield Catholic volleyball had probably the greatest seasons in program historical past final yr posting a 33-4-1 report on the best way to a fourth place end in Class 3.

The Woman Irish will look to return to Cape Girardeau with a powerful group of gamers returning.

“They’ve responded precisely the best way a coach would hope they might. They’re proud they went to a remaining 4, the primary in 30 years for our faculty, however not glad. They really feel there’s nonetheless a remaining chapter to be written in our e-book. Our prime eight gamers play membership volleyball. Some play virtually each weekend, many occasions in different states to enhance their expertise. They know the chances of going to the ultimate 4 in again to again years is in opposition to them. Nevertheless I by no means doubt their dedication and drive to provide it a shot,” Catholic head coach Dan Evans stated.

Hitting will probably be a energy for Catholic with three all-state hitters returning to the staff.

“Having the hitters now we have is big for our staff,” Evans stated. “That may be a enormous benefit now we have. Our hitters are expert again row attackers as effectively. It makes it very exhausting to concentrate on any considered one of our hitters. There is no rotation now we have that permits the protection to let up. We’re very lucky.”

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Senior Hallie Cook dinner is a co-captain for the staff. She earned all-state honors final yr after placing down 296 kills. Cook dinner can be gifted serving the ball with 93 aces final yr. The senior additionally contributed 337 digs.

“Hallie has the flexibility to make everybody round her higher. Her depth, work ethic, and need to succeed are a number of the causes she is so helpful as a volleyball participant,” Evans stated. “Hallie is the true definition of a six-rotation participant and might assault from wherever on the courtroom. Hallie will play outdoors and center again on protection.”

Cheri Sabini is the staff’s different captain. The senior additionally earned all-state honors after she completed second on the staff in kills with 306 and first on the staff in blocks with 61. She additionally had 58 aces.

“Cherie is a strong presence within the center,” Evans stated. “Her stage of depth on the courtroom is intimidating to opponents. Cherie additionally grew to become a six-rotation participant final yr partially to maintain her depth on the ground as a lot as doable. Cherie will play center and left again on protection.”

Junior Grace O’Reilly is the third returning all-state participant. O’Reilly led the Woman Irish in kills with 359. She was second in each blocks (42) and aces (66).

“Grace continues to get higher. When she walks right into a fitness center she appears to be like like a volleyball participant,” Evans stated. “She grew to become a six-rotation participant final yr and is one other one that may assault from wherever on the courtroom. Grace additionally brings excessive depth to our facet of the web. Grace will play proper facet and left again/proper again on protection.”

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Senior Ashlyn Witthar (center) offers Catholic a fourth returning hitter with not less than 100 kills. She had 105 kills final yr.

“Ashlyn didn’t play volleyball till she was a freshman. Her continued enchancment has been phenomenal. Ashlyn had 105 kills final season. On many groups she would simply have 250-plus. Ashlyn is a big plus for us. Groups are completely happy when Sabini rotates off the entrance row however lose their enthusiasm when Ashlyn begins to swing,” Evans stated.

Senior Avery Ahlstrand (proper facet), junior Leah Zolfaghari (proper facet) and sophomores Ava Walters (setter) and Kennedi Roubal (defensive specialist) additionally return.

“I believe our greatest energy is the variety of expert gamers now we have returning, and the good staff leaders now we have. We had a lot enjoyable final yr and we wish to expertise that once more,” Evans stated.

Freshman Kennedy Hartman is anticipated to make a right away varsity influence as a defensive specialist/libero.

Final yr was the primary for Evans as a head coach at Catholic. The staff not solely needed to regulate to a brand new head coach for a sixth consecutive season, but additionally regulate to Missouri going from a best-of-three to best-of-five set format for matches.

“I believe we realized you’ll be able to’t loosen up simply since you win the primary two units. It’s a must to play exhausting each level in each set. We have been lucky and didn’t play past three units fairly often however it could actually make for a really lengthy night time,” Evans stated. “I believe the brand new format lets you perhaps attempt to play one other participant extra in that third set when you’ve received the primary two. I believe studying to keep up focus is as necessary as any added conditioning is. General, I like the brand new format of taking part in the most effective three-of-five.”

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Catholic opens the season on Aug. 31 at residence in opposition to Ava. The Woman Irish will play within the West Plains, Buffalo and Strafford Tournaments this yr.

“Our total expectations for the season are excessive. We have now strengthened our schedule. We added the West Plains event in an effort to higher put together for the late season,” Evans stated. “Our aim final yr was to win a district championship. We achieved that and ended up on the remaining 4. We wish to return to southeast Missouri once more. There will probably be loads of nice groups that can wish to forestall that from occurring so it must be a enjoyable season.”